Mandatory Work Activity

vsl2603

I am on the post work programme support and have been since August last year.

At my last appointment by adviser told me that as it had been six months since I started post work programme support and because I hadn't work for so long and that was the reason I wasn't getting interviews that I would be referred for mandatory work activity. I was told that unless I could find my own voluntary placement I would be placed wherever who I was referred to could place me.

I have catering qualifications that I have not used since I left catering college but have been offered a place in a local restaurant to see how things work out for me, but this would be me volunteering as they wouldn't pay me until there were sure of my skills, been told this could be a couple of months as they would place me on courses for certain things.

Would I be allowed to take this on as it could lead to a paid job instead of mandatory work activity or would the job centre put a stop to it?

Also what exactly would I need to tell the job centre?

Thanks for the help

mro

vsl2603 wrote: »

I am on the post work programme support and have been since August last year.

At my last appointment by adviser told me that as it had been six months since I started post work programme support and because I hadn't work for so long and that was the reason I wasn't getting interviews that I would be referred for mandatory work activity. I was told that unless I could find my own voluntary placement I would be placed wherever who I was referred to could place me.

I have catering qualifications that I have not used since I left catering college but have been offered a place in a local restaurant to see how things work out for me, but this would be me volunteering as they wouldn't pay me until there were sure of my skills, been told this could be a couple of months as they would place me on courses for certain things.

Would I be allowed to take this on as it could lead to a paid job instead of mandatory work activity or would the job centre put a stop to it?

Also what exactly would I need to tell the job centre?

Thanks for the help

Yes, you should be able to arrange Work Experience placement/Work Trial with Jobcentre.

Work Trial is up to about a month when there is a possible job available.
Work Experience placement can be up to 2 months.

Jobcentre should be very happy to do this for you.

That would likely stop any Mandatory Work Activity which is with charities and they often have difficulty finding MWA placements.

zak2012

vsl2603 wrote: »

I am on the post work programme support and have been since August last year.

At my last appointment by adviser told me that as it had been six months since I started post work programme support and because I hadn't work for so long and that was the reason I wasn't getting interviews that I would be referred for mandatory work activity. I was told that unless I could find my own voluntary placement I would be placed wherever who I was referred to could place me.

I have catering qualifications that I have not used since I left catering college but have been offered a place in a local restaurant to see how things work out for me, but this would be me volunteering as they wouldn't pay me until there were sure of my skills, been told this could be a couple of months as they would place me on courses for certain things.

Would I be allowed to take this on as it could lead to a paid job instead of mandatory work activity or would the job centre put a stop to it?

Also what exactly would I need to tell the job centre?

Thanks for the help

You on ESA or JSA??

vsl2603

zak2012 wrote: »

You on ESA or JSA??

I am on JSA

vsl2603

Can anyone else offer any advice?

HB58

There was a lot of fuss some time ago because JC+ wanted a claimant to undergo their mandatory work placement rather than doing something she had found herself in her own line of work (this is the case that hit the press when the claimant took DWP to court). Hopefully you have an adviser who is rather more sensible and will allow you to take the work experience offered!

ArtoDeeto

vsl2603 wrote: »

Can anyone else offer any advice?

vsl2603 wrote: »

have been offered a place in a local restaurant to see how things work out for me, but this would be me volunteering as they wouldn't pay me until there were sure of my skills, been told this could be a couple of months as they would place me on courses for certain things.
Would I be allowed to take this on as it could lead to a paid job instead of mandatory work activity or would the job centre put a stop to it?
Also what exactly would I need to tell the job centre?

What extra advice do you want?
Basically you want do a 'Work Trial' for up to 30 days - that is to see if it works for you and works for them. What they seem to be saying is you can do TWO MONTHS unpaid labour in our profit making restaurant for no money but we will send you on unknown courses to learn how to work in the restaurant you are already working in for free. HAVE THEY ACTUALLY GIVEN YOU ANYTHING TO GUARANTEE YOU A JOB AT THE END OF YOUR TRAINING/WORK EXPERIENCE?

You have two options
1) Ask them to make it an Apprenticeship - then it can all be made official
2) Do it and still do your full jobsearch and get asked loads of questions as to what the 'training' is.

IF you are just asking if this is a way to get out of MWA - possibly if your voluntary job company is prepared to sign some forms and you are prepared to declare your weekly hours but your question is too vague to give a definitative answer.