Work for benefits?

starsandmoon

Many years ago I found myself unemployed and struggling to find work. I was asked if I wanted to go on a scheme where you worked towards an NVQ in Business Admin on a placement. I got my benefit money and an extra £10 a week and could claim bus fares to/from place of work. I worked in a reception in a hospital, got my NVQ but more importantly gained a lot of experience and a referee for references for jobs.

It wasnt easy as I didnt have money for works dos or even suitable work clothes but I did it and made some good friends too. I also attended night school to gain qualifications in computers (ECDL type).

A few weeks after finishing the course I gained a full time job with Local Authority. 15 years later I still work for them. So I would say this type of scheme can be beneficial but it needs to better thought out. The people on the course need support over training, travel costs can be huge too and in some instances they will need uniforms/clothes etc

mcculloch29

I also did a similar course with a placement many years ago and didn't get a job out of it, I was simply the latest in a long line of business admin/ ICT NVQ trainees that company used.

However, I also got an NVQ Level 3 out of it, and it was that Level 3 in ICT that got me my break into adult teaching eight years later.

I completely agree about the expenses side of things.
I also got the extra tenner but I didn't have travel expenses paid, as the first £4 of fares had to be met by me. I got a bus in the morning and took 40 minutes to walk home each evening. Every day my lunch was a cup-a-soup and a plain bread bun as that was all I could afford. What with that and the walking it was a good way to keep my weight down. Every cloud...