The work programme

melysion

Morlock wrote: »

You want someone on MWA to be the lowest of the low to boost the self-esteem of the lowest ranked employer, not one of the best reasons to offer an MWA placement.

Thats actually appalling. The MWA person doesnt exist to be someone to be looked down upon and make everyone else feel superior.

Every summer, I employ students to help me with my work. Its temporary, but the work needs to be done. The students get much needed work experience and a good reference. I get a huge amount of help and guess what? They get paid for it. Actual wages for doing a job that needs to be done while getting a lot out of it themselves. And they certainly aren't there to boost the moral of ´lower grade´ workers when they are there!

Now I see no difference between what I have just described OP to the situation you are in. You NEED a extra pair of hands. A need means there should be an actual job. If someone came up to you when you didn't need any more hands and asked for 4 weeks experience then that's one thing. They are showing initiative and offering their services for free to get experience. But - in this case - you need the labour and therefore you should 100% pay for it. No ifs, no buts. Anything else is exploitation. And if you cant afford it - then don't take anyone else on.

scooby088

I can see where the op is coming from, but it is a cheap way of getting someone into work for 4 weeks for little or no experience and getting tips when they are on jsa arenthey going to provide the volunteer with documented proof of tips when the jobcentre will require it. I have worked with ex chefs and they are really stroppy and temperamental.

Desecrated_Landscape

Generali wrote: »

Most catering firms can't afford to take on excess staff. By doing this the OP can give valuable experience to someone who is having trouble finding work and can also help out a member of staff who is struggling.

The OP isn't expecting a revolving source of free labour, merely to use a Government scheme to advantage both them and also someone who is unable to find a job. Hard to see what's not to like.

You hit the nail on the head with that. My update on what has progressed this afternoon will put an end to the critics

melysion

Desecrated_Landscape wrote: »

You hit the nail on the head with that. My update on what has progressed this afternoon will put an end to the critics

That will depend on whether someone is going to be paid for their work or not.

AP007

Desecrated_Landscape wrote: »

How is training over 4 weeks in a professional kitchen exploiting someone? We could offer a lot like getting a person a level 2 food hygiene certificate providing them with a reference tip share free meal on duty and teaching new skills which could give them new direction in life or is working in a charity shop which they could arrange anyway without the work activity not actually real exploitation? I know if i was in that position which i would prefer.

You can not give someone on JSA tips!

How in 4 weeks where you have said this person would be helping you out are they going to get a Level 2 certificate?

AP007

Desecrated_Landscape wrote: »

Cheers this is exactly my intention if only the other poster realized what i was trying to say they would not of tried picking a fight. I will ignore them now.

I wish you would explain that all to us if you can see this but as I am on ignore just carry on.

AP007

Desecrated_Landscape wrote: »

You hit the nail on the head with that. My update on what has progressed this afternoon will put an end to the critics

melysion wrote: »

That will depend on whether someone is going to be paid for their work or not.

Where is the update? Is the OP saying they have someone to work for free?

Desecrated_Landscape

For all the people who had a negative opinion please read. This morning i phoned the local jobcenter and explained we had an open opportunity for someone unemployed to gain some experience in catering blah blah about 30 mins later i got a call from a work program provider called prospect services who had a client with them who is looking for experience in catering. I told her to send him down this afternoon for a chat. He came down on time and smartly dressed which was nice to see

I asked the general questions why he is keen on becoming a chef etc etc and asked him if he did not mind working for free. His response was fantastic he said what he will gain from this is more valuable than money and it is his first step towards coming out of long term unemployment. We are going to get him his level 2 in food hygiene as well and if he shows the same levels of enthusiasm as he did today by the end of his 4 weeks training i will do my best in finding him employment with friends and former colleagues who work at pubs and restaurants in the area. This is win win because him and my commis will both gain new skills for both of them to improve.

It just shows to all the negative people who posted if you think negative you stay negative and that attitude will never change. Only 1 person saw my intentions was good.

melysion

Sorry -but you haven't convinced me at all. Fair play to the person that is keen - good on them. BUT, you are still getting work for free when you should be paying them. Its as simple and as straightforward as that. My attitude would be different if you didn't NEED the extra pair of hands but as you do - it should be a paid job.

I do hope that if the person is good you find him work. You will owe him that at the very least. I also hope you don't try to boost your commis chefs confidence by making it clear that they aren't at the ¨bottom of the pile¨ for a while.

AP007

Desecrated_Landscape wrote: »

For all the people who had a negative opinion please read. This morning i phoned the local jobcenter and explained we had an open opportunity for someone unemployed to gain some experience in catering blah blah about 30 mins later i got a call from a work program provider called prospect services who had a client with them who is looking for experience in catering. I told her to send him down this afternoon for a chat. He came down on time and smartly dressed which was nice to see

I asked the general questions why he is keen on becoming a chef etc etc and asked him if he did not mind working for free. His response was fantastic he said what he will gain from this is more valuable than money and it is his first step towards coming out of long term unemployment. We are going to get him his level 2 in food hygiene as well and if he shows the same levels of enthusiasm as he did today by the end of his 4 weeks training i will do my best in finding him employment with friends and former colleagues who work at pubs and restaurants in the area. This is win win because him and my commis will both gain new skills for both of them to improve.

It just shows to all the negative people who posted if you think negative you stay negative and that attitude will never change. Only 1 person saw my intentions was good.

It is not the OP's responsibilty to get the person employment its the responsibilty of the WP.

I wonder if the OP/OPS company are getting paid for this.