After the Work Programme

Podge52

It would seem the 6.5 million figure was not far off the mark.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unemployment_in_the_United_Kingdom

stix62

Podge52 wrote: »

It would seem the 6.5 million figure was not far off the mark.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unemployment_in_the_United_Kingdom

So, about 1 in 10.

As UB40 sang, 'a statistical reminder of a world that doesn't care'.

Denning.

Podge52 wrote: »

It would seem the 6.5 million figure was not far off the mark.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unemployment_in_the_United_Kingdom

No 4 million is not near 6.5 million. That figure is also a year old and now lower.

AP is asking for the thread to be closed because they want to protect their world image.

sensibleadvice

imatt wrote: »

So what do you suggest if the WP is ALSO unsuccessful? TWO more years of fruitlessness?

Applying for ANY job? So should someone who cannot drive apply for a job as a courier?

Again, what you are doing is some pretty lazy generalising.

I've said several times that people need to show initiative and do something different if what they're doing isn't working.

Can drive? There's plenty of cleaning, warehouse, gardening etc jobs, especially part time but then we ear those types are beneath some or mean they're 'worse off'. In this case, what they fail to take account of is the opportunities the low paid job could lead to.

Not many post their work SOA, most generalise with usual lazy postS of 'no jobs' etc is lazy.

Podge52

Denning. wrote: »

No 4 million is not near 6.5 million. That figure is also a year old and now lower.

AP is asking for the thread to be closed because they want to protect their world image.

Maybe you and the person who thanked your post need to go on a math course.

"Unemployment in the United Kingdom is measured by the Office for National Statistics and in mid-January 2012 it stood at 8.3 per cent of the active population, or 2.67 million people, with a further 1.3 million "partially unemployed" (or "under-employed") people in part-time work but unable to find full-time work[1] and 2.3 million "discouraged workers", people recorded as inactive but wanting a job"

KevInChester

sensibleadvice wrote: »

It's relatively easy to spot generic CVs with no originality written by a third party. There's only so much a professional can do with a CV if there's a lack of content, skills, experience or large gaps with no work experience. In the end it's up to the individual to make themselves stand out and employable. If that means just employable enough to get just the most basic job then that's what they should do and build from there.

I am employed - I have been through the work programme in the past, unfortunately it is not the tailored approach as is often stated. Instead it was a patronising waste of time. I had a covering letter written for me that included such gems as "friends and family would say that I'm a good worker". I also (voluntarily) went to an interview techniques course which was abysmal. In fact it went beyond abysmal, it was shameful, a shameful abuse of taxpayers money.

I should add I am 30+ years of age with a full work history up until a severe bout of depression.

I am now, via my own efforts in a full time job in my chosen industry with some excellent career prospects. The breakthrough for me was signing onto ESA for just over a month as I was depressed beyond belief with the constant stress and strain I was being put under by the job centre. Just a couple of weeks after being put on ESA I managed to obtain 2 offers of work.

BillJones

mro wrote: »

It's best just to avoid them.

They aren't unemployed...

So your suggestion is tha the unemployed only take input from people who are also unemployed, and ignore the people who've worked out how to get back into work?

Do you realise how ridiculous that is? You want to exclude people who know how to get and hold a job from discussions about getting and holdinng a job?

MVG180

mro wrote: »

It's best just to avoid them.

They aren't unemployed, they haven't been on WP, they're not in each person's situation, they haven't seen what Jobcentre & courses are like.

They are arrogant, condescending & patronising.

Actually, we may not have not on the "WP" but that does not mean we are not eligible to give advice. We know it is tough trying to find a job these days, but its certainly not impossible. I was on JSA for 2 weeks a couple of years back, yes it didn't feel great and yes I agree that sometimes the advisors can be very unhelpful. Saying that I actually gained employment through taking their advice and earned an internship through a government funded scheme promoted by the job centre. Having done this for 6 months, the firm offered to fund me directly for another 6 months to give me more vital experience in their Finance department. A year on and I am now working a great job all because of this experience.

I fail to believe that if you have been unemployed for multiple years it is the JC's fault, it is not the governments fault either. People need to start taking responsibility for themselves. They are showing real resistance to having to take suggestions from the very organisation trying to put you back into work. They cry outrage at being asked to share personal details, log their job applications and state alcohol consumption,whereas, the employed are jumping through hoops 8 hours a day (more in some cases) trying to please bosses and work for the next payslip. I find it quite insulting that people are moaning about having to sign a few forms every week to get their handout.

KevInChester

It is in many many cases not a handout, I for example paid in over 12 years of N.I contributions.

stix62

MVG180 wrote: »

Actually, we may not have not on the "WP" but that does not mean we are not eligible to give advice. We know it is tough trying to find a job these days, but its certainly not impossible. I was on JSA for 2 weeks a couple of years back, yes it didn't feel great and yes I agree that sometimes the advisors can be very unhelpful. Saying that I actually gained employment through taking their advice and earned an internship through a government funded scheme promoted by the job centre. Having done this for 6 months, the firm offered to fund me directly for another 6 months to give me more vital experience in their Finance department. A year on and I am now working a great job all because of this experience.

I fail to believe that if you have been unemployed for multiple years it is the JC's fault, it is not the governments fault either. People need to start taking responsibility for themselves. They are showing real resistance to having to take suggestions from the very organisation trying to put you back into work. They cry outrage at being asked to share personal details, log their job applications and state alcohol consumption,whereas, the employed are jumping through hoops 8 hours a day (more in some cases) trying to please bosses and work for the next payslip. I find it quite insulting that people are moaning about having to sign a few forms every week to get their handout.

If you were only on JSA for 2 weeks I find it quite insulting you are commenting at all. You know nothing about how the Job Centre 'operates' these days. People are not moaning about ...'having to sign a few forms'.