What is 'The Work Programme' ?

t0rt0ise

I can't see a reference written after 4 weeks work will be looked upon favourably by employers. Also personally I have never needed work experience having worked for some 30 something years. I suspect that that is true of many. You've worked for ten years say, in an office and they give you 4 weeks in an office saying you're going to learn new skills! I think it sounds useful to someone who has never worked but for others it's just passing the time.

saintjammyswine

Yes, there are people for whom this will not be of much use. OK stop whining about it and let the many, many people who really do need some help to return to the work environment get it. For many people it is not the skills they lack but have been out of the work environment for so long that simply being around people all day, getting up at a set time each day, working to sets of rules are not new but forgotten skills. This programme helps those people massively and they are one of the groups of people who get the most out of it.

t0rt0ise

Was I whining? I thought I was taking part in a discussion.. you nasty man.

saintjammyswine

No not you, just there are so many threads and posts by people who seem to just moan about it and use more energy in trying to avoid participating than they would by simply getting involved and seeing the purpose behind the project.

Sorry for any offence, just re-read my previous post. I wont edit as this wont make sense if I do.

Sorry, mean it.

seven-day-weekend

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

Its cheap labour, there is no job at the end in most cases as they just keep getting new staff every 4 weeks. The plus side is you can get a reference and work experience out of it..

Even if there is no job at the end of it, it is surely better for someone to have this experience? To be doing something rather than nothing?

I know several people, including my own son, who have gained employment through work placements.

Can anyone tell me please, how long you have to have been unemployed to be sent on these placements?

t0rt0ise

saintjammyswine wrote: »

Sorry, mean it.

Thank you, much appreciated.

Reverbe

t0rt0ise wrote: »

I can't see a reference written after 4 weeks work will be looked upon favourably by employers. Also personally I have never needed work experience having worked for some 30 something years. I suspect that that is true of many. You've worked for ten years say, in an office and they give you 4 weeks in an office saying you're going to learn new skills! I think it sounds useful to someone who has never worked but for others it's just passing the time.

same here. all my provider seems to offer is we will shove you on a work trial. been working all my life I dont need a weeks experience of what a job can be like - this is basically a weeks free slog for an employer.. providers are desperate to stick you in a work trial no matter HOW unsuitable in the vain hope employer will keep you on so they get their money..

I dont need to be taught how to have a routine. I get up at 6 and jobsearch like a job all day every day with only a short lunchbreak.

seven day they started to flag me up after 13 weeks and after 4 months started to shove me onto these type of programmes

donnajunkie

saintjammyswine wrote: »

So at worst you have some extra experience, a reference, new skills. Travel, childcare and replacement care costs paid by JCP, JSA still paid. Dont really see the problem.

people dont like knowing they have or are being exploited by a company who has no intention of employing them.

donnajunkie

t0rt0ise wrote: »

I can't see a reference written after 4 weeks work will be looked upon favourably by employers. Also personally I have never needed work experience having worked for some 30 something years. I suspect that that is true of many. You've worked for ten years say, in an office and they give you 4 weeks in an office saying you're going to learn new skills! I think it sounds useful to someone who has never worked but for others it's just passing the time.

its not just the value of the reference that is debatable. the fact that they were refered under threat of sanction rather than on merit must also devalue the work experience. a valid question at an interview could be, they didnt see you as worthy enough to employ so why should we.

donnajunkie

saintjammyswine wrote: »

No not you, just there are so many threads and posts by people who seem to just moan about it and use more energy in trying to avoid participating than they would by simply getting involved and seeing the purpose behind the project.

Sorry for any offence, just re-read my previous post. I wont edit as this wont make sense if I do.

Sorry, mean it.

people just see the flaws and unfairness involved. its not fair to call people moaners because they take issue with these things.