The Work Programme New Thread

LadyMissA

EndlessStruggle wrote: »

I don't like it but I don't dislike it either. Luckily I haven't encountered any problems and have no reason to dislike it, the advisers have been friendly and helpful but I do think it is a terrible waste of money, a waste of my time and I don't agree with a lot of it. I am capable of doing a job search at home, I could check in with her over the phone/email instead of physically having to waste a day getting to their office etc.

Helpful in what way?

donnajunkie

LadyMissA wrote: »

How will any of those help me get a job? I have asked for advanced Excel and told no. Even if there was a course for Advanced Excel it still wont get me a job as CV's are not even being read due too companies and agencies receiving too many to look at.

if they are convinced a certain qualification will help you then you have to do it.

looby75

EndlessStruggle wrote: »

the advisers have been friendly and helpful but I do think it is a terrible waste of money, a waste of my time and I don't agree with a lot of it. I am capable of doing a job search at home, I could check in with her over the phone/email instead of physically having to waste a day getting to their office etc.

pretty much my experience too. I have nothing against the staff they are all really nice and as helpful as they can be.....but there isn't really any help they can give me. I am not some school leaver with no experience but they don't have the funds to help me get on courses etc and can't even find work placements for everyone who has been referred to them for Mandatory Work Activity or people who want some work experience (I would happily go on a suitable work placement if I could)

EndlessStruggle

My first adviser was printing me off jobs, highlighting and making notes of what they were really asking, making notes on things from my CV to tie in, things to leave out and would phone/email ideas he had of how to tweek CV. Didn't force me to apply for jobs that I didn't feel comfortable with. Second one got me an interview but was too ill to go, kept chasing them demanding a reschedule etc.

donnajunkie

EndlessStruggle wrote: »

I'm in a dilemma. I have a holiday booked and paid for for next week My old work have called and offered some work, they were offering it to everyone they have laid off recently, they said I couldn't have the time off or start after holiday as there might not/probably not be work after the 18th. I said yes at first as thought I could cancel holiday, turns out I can't. So I would be going back for 8 days by the looks of things. Having to sign off and loads of hassle. OH is seriously p***** at me as was very looking forward to holiday, Mother is p***** at the way they are treating me, both are p***** at them for obviously using me so they can avoid having to interview people etc. They are well known for hiring and firing and VERY high turnover, people start and get laid off not soon after. They laid off some people when I was there after an hour! So I have no idea what to do now. I don't really want to go back at all, was just thinking of the money but now it seems like I am going to lose out more by going back. Last time I worked there I had a holiday booked at the beginning and they let me have the 5 days off no problem. I think I am going to have to tell them no.

i wouldnt give up a holiday for 8 days work. i think you know what you want to do. i would also pi** them off by leaving it as late as possible to tell them i wont be starting afterall.
edit.
if you have told the work programme or the jobcentre you have been offered a job then you are stuffed and will have to take the job and give up the holiday.

EndlessStruggle

looby75 wrote: »

pretty much my experience too. I have nothing against the staff they are all really nice and as helpful as they can be.....but there isn't really any help they can give me. I am not some school leaver with no experience but they don't have the funds to help me get on courses etc and can't even find work placements for everyone who has been referred to them for Mandatory Work Activity or people who want some work experience (I would happily go on a suitable work placement if I could)

I'm not far off a school leaver, I graduated in 2008 and have struggled to get a job since I either have to put the degree on or have it off with a job gap so for some jobs I can't win. I don't get help with any training courses they can offer me either but I can get funding for some online distance learning ones but then these are worth 1GCSE I think. The work programme adviser tells me my main problem is no driving license as if I hadn't noticed! :rotfl:

Yeah I have decided it isn't worth it. It's a £700 holiday for my birthday (during the week) vs £150ish quid, annoyed OH and signing off and on again etc

looby75

EndlessStruggle wrote: »

The work programme adviser tells me my main problem is no driving license as if I hadn't noticed! :rotfl:

well I've got a driving licence and it hasn't helped me much (maybe its the lack of a car thats the real problem lol )

EndlessStruggle

looby75 wrote: »

well I've got a driving licence and it hasn't helped me much (maybe its the lack of a car thats the real problem lol )

I've got a car no full license. I'm going to step up the learning when I get back from holiday and get on the road properly!

I haven't told anyone about it.

LadyMissA

donnajunkie wrote: »

if they are convinced a certain qualification will help you then you have to do it.

Like what? The course that they have shown me on that link I already know how to do it all and it was compulsory either, they said have a look. 160 hours long and for what? To learn what I already know.

LadyMissA

EndlessStruggle wrote: »

I'm not far off a school leaver, I graduated in 2008 and have struggled to get a job since I either have to put the degree on or have it off with a job gap so for some jobs I can't win. I don't get help with any training courses they can offer me either but I can get funding for some online distance learning ones but then these are worth 1GCSE I think. The work programme adviser tells me my main problem is no driving license as if I hadn't noticed! :rotfl:

Yeah I have decided it isn't worth it. It's a £700 holiday for my birthday (during the week) vs £150ish quid, annoyed OH and signing off and on again etc

With respect that is why they are probably helpful. If you had 20 years work experience and a career you would be told otherwise.