I start a Work Placement

paulineb_2

Ive just had a look online and there are charity shops in the OPs area who will put volunteers through an NVQ in retail, similar to the red cross when I used to volunteer for them.

As Ive posted previously, I do know what its like to be unemployed, it is tough out there and I also dont agree with everything the Tories are trying to do re people on JSA, but the negativity just oozes out of some posters on here.

The part time job I had in 2011 I got because I sent my CV to an employer, it wasnt an advertised job. Over the years Ive volunteered with places such as alzheimers scotland, sacro, Ive volunteered on helplines for people who are survivors of sexual abuse, Ive done voluntary work with the big issue over the christmas period and I also volunteered for the red cross. Most of that I did when I was working full time as well, I volunteered for alzheimers scotland when I was unemployed, same with the red cross. I also did a basic youth work qualification through what was community education and what will be leisure and learning in a lot of areas now and that got me part time work. I also put my name on the social work department temporary register and got paid work in childrens homes, there were also opportunities to work in care homes as well at that time.

I also did an NVQ in sports coaching the last time I was unemployed as well and it didnt cost me a penny.

Comments about charity shop workers having criminal records are insulting and ridiculous.

How you fill your time when you are unemployed matters to employers, you go for any job in retail and you have voluntary experience and a qualification, it will give you a head start on someone who hasnt.

It took me 7 weekends to retrain as a fitness instructor. I posted this elsewhere on the boards, there are companies who offer free training to people who are unemployed and not just in fitness, but there are companies who offer those courses as well.

Its horrible living on 71 quid a week. Ive been there. But there are numerous opportunities for people to gain skills, in my area there are football clubs that offer courses for the unemployed, sports but other things as well.

I did a first aid course at my local college and I got it free because I was on a low income, I got a fee waiver and there were other courses I could have done as well.

Its far from ideal being on JSA but unless you live in the back of beyond with no access to local colleges and volunteer centres, there are plenty of things you can do to fill your time and help you be better qualified when you are looking for part/full time work.

red_devil

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Oh come on... Why not do some volunteering to fill your time and give something back? There's only so much Jeremy Kyle anyone can take in one day.

You help others and get something current for your CV and possibly a ref... It's a win-win.

thats shows you up for stereotyping never watched jeremy kyle and how do you know i dont already do voluntary work!

red_devil

poundshop are advertising a 6 month unpaid work placement talk about taking advantage.

red_devil

paulineb wrote: »

Nonsense. I worked in a local charity shop for over a year when I was unemployed. My mum worked in there on a Saturday for a couple of years, she works full time, there were loads of different people who worked there, students, people with part time jobs, young people. There are also many retired people who volunteer in charity shops.

Also, Ive worked in full time jobs with more than one person with a criminal record. It is possible for people to have a record and sort their life out.

Just because the OP doesnt want to volunteer doesnt mean that everyone else should be written off.

your wrong there are people working in charity shops who are asked to by the courts as community payback.

mro

red_devil wrote: »

poundshop are advertising a 6 month unpaid work placement talk about taking advantage.

Surely you are joking !?

red_devil

no! not joking.

melysion

red_devil wrote: »

poundshop are advertising a 6 month unpaid work placement talk about taking advantage.

To be fair -if Poundland or whatever it is has a vacancy for a worker for 6 months then it ought to be a real job opportunity paying at least the minimum wage.

Twisted_Cherry

When I took on a new voluntary placement last year as a receptionist for the volunteer hub, I applied and started the job within 5 days - shadowing my friend who has volunteered there for five years. Within a week I was working on my own covering the desk and answering the phones!

pogg000

red_devil wrote: »

poundshop are advertising a 6 month unpaid work placement talk about taking advantage.

That's taking the pee

Chester666666

melysion wrote: »

To be fair -if Poundland or whatever it is has a vacancy for a worker for 6 months then it ought to be a real job opportunity paying at least the minimum wage.

they still seek to force the unemployed to work there as do dunelms

as for charity work - it isn't always that easy to find