The Work Programme New Thread

donnajunkie

SaveMeDo wrote: »

I had a restart interview last week at the jobcentre, the adviser told me that I would be one of the first "returners" from the work program, and that I would be the first on the "work for your benefit program".

I asker her what it would entail, she said I would be working for a charity, 30 hours a week, she didn't know the duration of the program, but I would be the first on it and it would be mandatory. She said the purpous of the program was that I would have something to put on my CV. I said that I have only just signed back on after five weeks employment, well she said, that doesn't count.

I said that I have already done two month long "placements" and two SIX MONTH placements with A4e, and been declared "job ready" at least six times by the workfare companies.

"Well you will have to do it, you know"

Ho humm....

which goes to prove its about punishing people. the self employment person was talking about this yesterday and she made a slip which i thought was funny. instead of calling it community work they called it community service and then quickly corrected herself. i muttered under my breath, you got it right first time. i would advise people to go into it with an open mind. while it is wrong to be forced to do it it may turn out to not be too bad and a preferable option to gestapo interrogations. i'm hoping i will be allowed to stay with my current voluntary work for it.

AP007

SaveMeDo wrote: »

I had a restart interview last week at the jobcentre, the adviser told me that I would be one of the first "returners" from the work program, and that I would be the first on the "work for your benefit program".

I asker her what it would entail, she said I would be working for a charity, 30 hours a week, she didn't know the duration of the program, but I would be the first on it and it would be mandatory. She said the purpous of the program was that I would have something to put on my CV. I said that I have only just signed back on after five weeks employment, well she said, that doesn't count.

I said that I have already done two month long "placements" and two SIX MONTH placements with A4e, and been declared "job ready" at least six times by the workfare companies.

"Well you will have to do it, you know"

Ho humm....

My JC have said they have no idea yet what's happening to people after the WP

Working for charity or working in a charity shop? How is that going to get anyone a job I do not know.

This kind of work is not even going to be relevant to most people.

AP007

Seems that Work for your benefits is in certain areas only and it looks like companies bid for it

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/supplying-dwp/what-we-buy/welfare-to-work-services/opportunities-to-tender/workforyourbenefitpilots.shtml

DWP are inviting interested organisations from Public, Private and Voluntary sector organisations to submit a PQQ, to deliver Work for Your Benefit (WfYB) in partnership with local partners and stakeholders


http://www.dwp.gov.uk/supplying-dwp/what-we-buy/welfare-to-work-services/opportunities-to-tender/workforyourbenefitpilots.shtml

AP007

One other thing. Under the UC people on here say the job searching has to be 30 hours a week but then how are you meant to work 30 hours too???

SaveMeDo

It's probably just the Flexible New Deal, re-branded.

The current "Work Program" wasn't bad at all, just a jobsearch once a fortnight, and a pep talk every now and then.

The FND was horrendous, 30 hours stuck in a "program centre" or put out on a "placement" which you had to sort out yourself most of the time, thanks New Labour, just don't EVER count on me voting for you lot again.

At 57 I'm getting to old for this crap.

imatt

Honeypie wrote: »

Each provider and each office within that can deliver the work programme any which was they choose, hence the mix of information you'll receive.

What you can expect is to attend regular interviews with an advisor - they may even conduct these over the phone. They will create an action plan for you and you will be expected to work towards/complete each action point - this can vary from updating your CV, attending some key skills training to apply for jobs.

Depending how long you'e been claiming for, signing off and back on won't necessarily help. Once you signed back on, they'd calculate your previous claims and you'd be referred to the work programme within the time frame you were due to go on before you signed off. Does that make sense?

The old new deal would send you to a provider, who would place you with an employer for the duration to update your skills and gain work experience.

All I can recommend is that people take advantage of what they can from the work programme - whether that be meeting new people, updating your CV, taking advantage of the job search facilities or getting a placement with an employer.

Hmmm....the thing is, all this and more can be provided by other agencies far better and far cheaper than the £5bn Work Program. There are council run job -clubs, like the one five mins from my home that can do a better job with peoples CV's provide better IT facilities and have more knowledgeable staff.

As well as starting my own business, I do voluntary work at a local community centre Again with better facilities than many a WP provider with real and actual training despite relying on piecemeal funding. They have even started to hold mock interview sessions in front of a camera.

It's all very well to say people should take advantage of the WP. In general I'd agree. However, when the WP provides very little, it becomes difficult to make much of what is on offer!

imatt

Honeypie wrote: »

I see.

Have you put your CV forward to these companies? I would, if I was you. Don't wait for them to do it.

Good luck!

In which case, why the Work program???? If you're saying AP007 should send his / her CV direct to companies and bypass the WP provider (which is a fair point), then surely the WP is failing in it's basic duty of provision is it not?

donnajunkie

SaveMeDo wrote: »

The FND was horrendous, 30 hours stuck in a "program centre" or put out on a "placement" which you had to sort out yourself most of the time, thanks New Labour, just don't EVER count on me voting for you lot again.

this sounds like new deal not flexible new deal.

AP007

imatt wrote: »

In which case, why the Work program???? If you're saying AP007 should send his / her CV direct to companies and bypass the WP provider (which is a fair point), then surely the WP is failing in it's basic duty of provision is it not?

I do this all the time though the point is THEY are meant to be helping people and lie when they say they have contact with big companies in London.

They ask me to do for them stuff which I do and they forget their half and never do their bit.

Lists and lists of employers will not get someone a job unless the company have a job and want to see you for it.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Homebase / Workfare - just today - !