What planet are the Job Centre Advisers on?

AP007

lazer wrote: »

If you are male you can get pension credit without the state pension if you are over the female pension age.

So you can claim JSA and pension credit at the same time and be on the Work Programme?

the poster I am sure said they were 60

Caroline_a

Second the numeracy course. In most admin roles you will need to get your head around spreadsheets and there will be an element of maths and figure work almost every day. OP, you need to become more positive in your approach, at the moment I can only see negatives. That, whatever your age, will go against you. Employers want employees who are prepared to give anything a go without saying 'I can't do that' - they want to hear something like 'I've never done that before but I'll give it a go'.

You mentioned a computer course. That could mean anything from basic introduction to computing to programming. I would say that you take the numeracy course and follow it up with a basic Business Admin course. Most admin roles now don't involve fast typing, unlike it was 20 years ago (and I remember those days with Tippex and carbons!). It's now more of mouse work and software/project work.

You need to recognise this as an opportunity - you have the chance to learn new things, become a more employable person, and will be a challenge. Don't be one of those people who turn their backs on learning - you are never too old to learn!

monkeychops

John1993 wrote: »

Well, it could also be because they have more of a "can-do" attitude as opposed to an "I'm not going to try and do that" one.

Oh, and they can't pay someone in their 20s less than you, you bot hhave the same minimum wage. A pertinent question would be why do you think that you are worth more than these younger workers?

I can't say most of the youngsters I worked with had more of a "can do" attitude than me - quite the opposite with most of them in fact.

I don't necessarily think I am worth more than them although I remember the days when experience meant more money. Of course now with minimum wage every earns crap money.

Firetastic wrote: »

What about going for a numeracy course? You say your maths is diabolical so what about trying to improve it?

Caroline_a wrote: »

Second the numeracy course. In most admin roles you will need to get your head around spreadsheets and there will be an element of maths and figure work almost every day. OP, you need to become more positive in your approach, at the moment I can only see negatives. That, whatever your age, will go against you. Employers want employees who are prepared to give anything a go without saying 'I can't do that' - they want to hear something like 'I've never done that before but I'll give it a go'.

You mentioned a computer course. That could mean anything from basic introduction to computing to programming. I would say that you take the numeracy course and follow it up with a basic Business Admin course. Most admin roles now don't involve fast typing, unlike it was 20 years ago (and I remember those days with Tippex and carbons!). It's now more of mouse work and software/project work.

You need to recognise this as an opportunity - you have the chance to learn new things, become a more employable person, and will be a challenge. Don't be one of those people who turn their backs on learning - you are never too old to learn!

I will ask about the numeracy course but I don't like the idea of anything to do with maths or numbers. I hated the subject at school, had a really horrible teacher that I was petrified of and it has left me with a real fear of numbers and maths. Sounds silly but I honestly never do any maths unless I absolutely have to. I get OH to do everything. If I do have to add anything up I will do it about 6 times before I am happy. Even very small amounts I use my fingers!

I did a numeracy test for the careers and even looking at the pages online made me feel physically sick. I also think I have the equivalent of dyslexia with numbers.

I do normally have an "I will/can give that a go" but not when it comes to numbers.

It's good to know I may not need a fast typing speed although my adviser did want to know if I knew what my speed is. I wanted to do the European computer driving licence if possible.

dandelionclock30

If your on benefits you can usually do ECDL either free or at a reduced cost at local colleges. Also I did the level 1 and 2 maths through work a few years ago at an adult learning place and it was a really positive experience.
The teacher was so patient it was unbelieveable and would explain things many, many times. I got the Level 1 and 2 no problem but even if I struggled I think I would have done o.k as it was that good.
I think its worth doing for a variety of different reasons,not only does it help you, but you are also out of the house meeting people and not using your heating at home as well.
I think it will be very hard for you to get another job and the Jobcentre know this as well. They are on your back because they think that by making your life a misery you will sign off.
I think in reality you can just do the best you can and make as many applications as you can.Hopefully you will get something suitable soon. Have you looked into places like Greggs/Cooplands etc, they often have more mature staff.I know it might not be ideal but you have retail experience etc.
Also in Payroll unless it was a trainee position they would want someone with experience. Its quite involved as my friend used to do it.

monkeychops

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

If your on benefits you can usually do ECDL either free or at a reduced cost at local colleges. Also I did the level 1 and 2 maths through work a few years ago at an adult learning place and it was a really positive experience.
The teacher was so patient it was unbelieveable and would explain things many, many times. I got the Level 1 and 2 no problem but even if I struggled I think I would have done o.k as it was that good.
I think its worth doing for a variety of different reasons,not only does it help you, but you are also out of the house meeting people and not using your heating at home as well.
I think it will be very hard for you to get another job and the Jobcentre know this as well. They are on your back because they think that by making your life a misery you will sign off.
I think in reality you can just do the best you can and make as many applications as you can.Hopefully you will get something suitable soon. Have you looked into places like Greggs/Cooplands etc, they often have more mature staff.I know it might not be ideal but you have retail experience etc.
Also in Payroll unless it was a trainee position they would want someone with experience. Its quite involved as my friend used to do it.

Thanks for the info about ECDL. I could afford to pay something but I know when I looked into it a couple of years ago (I was working at the time) it was quite expensive.

I am going to ask my careers adviser about a numeracy course but the teacher would definitely have to be very patient!

I have just looked online about Dyscalculia (Dyslexia with numbers) and I definitely think I have it. I can't add up in my head unless it is a small amount. I don't understand fractions really and can never do things like percentages. Even on paper I struggle to do even simple multiplications, divisions etc

Caroline_a

So much maths is about the way you were taught. In this country it has become almost a badge of honour to be bad at maths, and it's a real shame because basic maths is a necessity these days, just for every day living! You say you give everything 'mathematical' to your husband to do, now is your chance to be able to do it yourself.

Numeracy tutors are normally very understanding and teach at your pace. You may surprise yourself!

John1993_2

monkeychops wrote: »

I don't understand fractions really

Oh, come on!

You understand that five is half of ten, don't you, and that eight is a third of 24?

If you can get your head round these sort of ideas, then the left just follow on, building logically from there.

3/4 of an hour is 45 minutes, half a day is 12 hours, and so on, and so forth. You can't give up so easily.

moneyistooshorttomention

monkeychops wrote: »

I am also looking at jobs like receptionist but as I haven't worked in an office for over 15 years I don't have knowledge of up to date switchboards, computer systems etc.

Call their bluff.

Well, that was always the tactic I used to use (prior to retirement) when faced with whatever "demands" I was faced with in similar circumstances (be it the Job Centre/current employer/whoever) and I would call their bluff.

That being...well YOU want me to do such and such...go on then...provide me with a course for it (subtext = "I'm trying ever so hard...now you do your bit"). I tended to find that was quite an effective tactic personally and used it frequently in a variety of circumstances. They tended to get fed-up with having to put in so much effort somewhere along the line...as they hadn't really been that "serious" about whatever-it-was but were just using it as a tool to beat me round the head with and achieve their own personal targets.

That was my own experience anyway fwiw.

BurnleyBob

So the OP is being subjected to the proverbial thumb screws treatment after being a JSA claimant for just six weeks!

In addition to being pressured to become a self-employed telephone cold caller (and probably a self-employed anything else, however scummy or insecure, so that she disappears from the JC and falls off the unemployment total), she's also being badgered to apply for roles that she has no chance of landing plus her adviser is pressuring her to allow access to her UJM account in spite of the claimant's known unwillingness and, no doubt, the adviser is perfectly aware that the OP has no obligation to do so.

These advisers who try to coerce claimants in order to snoop on their activities should be identified and sacked.

marybelle01

BurnleyBob wrote: »

So the OP is being subjected to the proverbial thumb screws treatment after being a JSA claimant for just six weeks!

In addition to being pressured to become a self-employed telephone cold caller (and probably a self-employed anything else, however scummy or insecure, so that she disappears from the JC and falls off the unemployment total), she's also being badgered to apply for roles that she has no chance of landing plus her adviser is pressuring her to allow access to her UJM account in spite of the claimant's known unwillingness and, no doubt, the adviser is perfectly aware that the OP has no obligation to do so.

These advisers who try to coerce claimants in order to snoop on their activities should be identified and sacked.

It is, of course, ok for posters here to tell people to become self-employed, apply for jobs they have no experience of, or which they are over experienced or over qualified for; and to criticise people for not taking the advice given (whether they know it was taken or not); and to blame them for being out of work - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4814622

It's only wrong when the Jobcentre do it.