Help to Work Programme comes in today

red_devil

Not sure why the gvt has not closed down all jobcentres and saved money on staff and buildings. Jobcentres have no purpose anymore. Everything is online. They could save a stack.

scooby088

This is aimed at long term unemployed, I guess there could be many obstacles to work, what if you are like me overweight and I dont mean by a few stone, actually being physically unfit to work and I dont mean disabled. Couldnt losing weight be seen as a positive step to gaining employment. What about schemes for free weight watchers or dietary advice.

Thankfully I gained employment may only be zero hours contract but im getting regular work, those 99.9% who want work wouldnt turn their noses up at such contracts or keep finding excuses not to work, I was genuinely seeking employment but after two years I was finding excuses more easy to come as time went on.

JeLaw

BillJones wrote: »

Yes, we take on people with gaps in their CV, and no, we don't turn down people for being over-qualified or too experienced. The latter points would be hard, as I prefer people with backgrounds like mine if possible, Oxbridge degrees and good doctorates.

Very impressed with your company in that case. I just wish the very many companies that advertise vacancies and ask for a "stable" CV were as open-minded. It's also to be applauded that you don't view with contempt highly qualified candidates who work in what some people might consider junior roles. It's a shame that many employers do see these applicants as "failures" - who are too "qualified" for the junior roles but should not be considered for more senior roles since the act of applying for a junior role renders the candidate a failure.

We need more companies with the enlightened views held by your company.

It's wonderful to read that should someone with an Oxbridge degree (and perhaps a doctorate) find themselves out of work, they would not be overlooked as "too experienced" or "over-qualified" for a position as a cleaner or junior administrator at your company.

Sadly too many other companies would never consider someone with such qualifications for these sort of roles. Which is very unfortunate for a friend of mine. They, like you, have an Oxbridge degree and a PhD (they've taught at both universities too). Work in their area of expertise is mostly on a contract basis leaving them with periods of unemployment.

specialboy

Why are people scared of getting help into work? NO ONE IS BEING FORCED ONTO A COMMUNITY WORK SCHEME, the long term employed are being given clear choices, either attend training, turn up and seek work every day or do 6 months work based in the community. Surely EVERY job seeker would welcome the first option with open arms.

JeLaw

specialboy wrote: »

Why are people scared of getting help into work? NO ONE IS BEING FORCED ONTO A COMMUNITY WORK SCHEME, the long term employed are being given clear choices, either attend training, turn up and seek work every day or do 6 months work based in the community. Surely EVERY job seeker would welcome the first option with open arms.

I'm sure jobseekers would indeed welcome work. Paid work. However unless there's been an update since this thread started, the work programme is unpaid. Hence it does not constitute proper employment and is of no use to someone who wishes to work (and in fact, needs to work in order to pay bills and the mortgage or rent).

Training. For what? Basic skills will be pointless for the very many jobseekers who hold higher educational qualifications and/or have long-term work experience.

szam_

JeLaw wrote: »

I'm sure jobseekers would indeed welcome work. Paid work. However unless there's been an update since this thread started, the work programme is unpaid. Hence it does not constitute proper employment and is of no use to someone who wishes to work (and in fact, needs to work in order to pay bills and the mortgage or rent).

Training. For what? Basic skills will be pointless for the very many jobseekers who hold higher educational qualifications and/or have long-term work experience.

Training, while pointless in a practical sense, still shows that you are staying relevant and occupying your time positively. If I was recruiting and noticed this on a CV, regardless of whether they need it or not, I'd look positively on it.

The issue comes when people haven't done anything positive for employers to see. Anything you can put down on your CV which shows as a positive and shows you are trying to increase your chances of work reflects well on the person doing it. Those who don't help themselves and complain about it being irrelevant, don't consider putting on a CV or refuse to complete it are hindering their own chances. Would you take someone with the same skills, one with a 2-3 year gap with nothing in it's place and don't have any story as to what they've done in that time, or the one with extra (while maybe pointless) "training", however many months volunteer work whilst looking for paid work, etc? I'd take the latter because they seem to have a more hardworking, positive approach.

I'd say I'm lucky to be in work, but it's not luck, its about hard work, I've been made redundant twice while being under 25, if I didn't get a sniff of a job in a couple of weeks, I'd change my CV up, look at my approach and change that and go again. I'm not qualified past GCSE, yet i'm in a job for a post-grad. If you're not getting a sniff of an interview after hundreds of applications, you're doing something wrong I'm sorry to say.

I've said it before on these boards, but if someone can only see the negatives, you won't get anywhere, if you're willing to do the negatives but take all the positives (i.e. something for the CV to show you're active and making effort, or a minor extra skill you may never have thought of having on your CV), that's when you'll get somewhere.

Can I just say, if I was long term unemployed, I would jump at the chance to do unpaid work until I found something paid. I actually offered to do some sort of placement the two times I've been made redundant, but was told this was only for people after 6 months.

JeLaw

szam - Well done on getting yourself sorted after redundancy - it can't be easy.

I'm not looking for work myself - I'm in employment. But I do know what it's like to have a non-standard CV with gaps and empathise with others in a similar boat.

It wasn't a case of not doing anything positive with my time in my case. I have a long-term illness and suffer relapses from time to time. I'm under the care of a consultant and on treatment - but at times there's nothing I can do to stop the condition worsening, and on some occasions this has been bad enough that I've had to take long(ish) periods of sickness.

Many other "long-term unemployed" are actually sick or disabled. Others have been caring for a relative or a friend. Or travelling. Or studying. Others simply have, despite some on here believing otherwise, been desperately applying for work - and doing everything that's advised - tweaking CV, volunteering, etc. But they've just been plain unlucky. Especially with the increase in unpaid work programme "employees"....

Like I mentioned in a previous post, I have personally witnessed employers overlooking candidates because they're "over-qualified". Or "too experienced". And it's not easy dumbing down a CV - taking off work experience and/or qualifications would leave an even bigger gap!

I think we're both coming from the same stance - that people who want to work should be helped to do so.

My argument is that work progamme schemes should be paid. Short-term placements of 2-4 weeks unpaid might be okay - but long-term, minimum wage (if not more depending on the role) should be paid.

Equally, training and voluntary work can absolutely be beneficial. But only if it's worthwhile. Numeracy or literacy basic skills training for a graduate and/or someone with 20 years successful work experience under their belt is pretty pointless - and a massive waste of tax revenue (tax that you and I pay).

Additionally I do hope that things have now changed, and those who use their initiative and arrange their own work placements and/or voluntary work are encouraged and supported by the DWP. In the past, those making their own arrangements - even if the role was more appropriate for their situation and have a strong likelihood of boosting their CV - were penalised and had their benefits stopped (due to "not being available for work").

I suppose what I'm trying to say (after a long day at work) is I fear that the government does not wish to "help" people back to work. On the contrary, they want unpaid labour in the guise of the "work programme" - with the consequent unemployment trap for those unlucky enough to lose their jobs (through ill-health or redundancy). If companies can obtain unpaid labour long-term, they won't be looking to recruit paid employees.

I'd also like to borrow your comment about "making excuses". And turn it around to employers. Many make excuses to overlook candidates who don't have a "standard" CV. Yet life does not always follow a neat standardised route. Why not introduce some form of positive discrimination? At least on a trial basis.

JeLaw

Stourie_Fit wrote: »

I agree that JCP shouldn't be placing people with charities, but they should absolutely be recommending that people volunteer. You pick up skills and confidence and it gives you something current to put on your CV, so potential employers don't just look at the big gap and think you've been dossing about all this time.

I absolutely agree that volunteering can boost confidence and improve a CV. It can be immensely beneficial. So long as we don't have a "computer says no" situation where jobseekers are only allowed to "volunteer" for position dictated by the DWP.

amiehall

outtawork wrote: »

l have a driving licence, but this apparently was not enough ID. l don't have a current passport & neither am l likely to be able to afford to get one.So l understand, & what if you haven't got that either.

This is one of the oddest excuses I've seen for being unemployed.

A full birth certificate together with proof of your NI number (such as a letter from the job centre with it printed on) is valid as proof of your right to work in the UK. A driving licence, as you have found is not. However, you should have your birth certificate, if you've lost it, a replacement copy is available to be ordered online and it is much cheaper than a passport.

Normally these checks are one of the last things to be carried out before you start a job, and any employer should have been able to advise you of alternatives if you don't have a passport.

busy_mom_2

It is anticipated 1-3 long term unemployed will take part in community action programme. No -one is forcing long term unemloyed to do anything. They will have a choice and yes they may lose their benefit if they decide not to take part in any schemes. Community placements are for those who haven't worked in any way shape or form in over tow years. Why are people so against voluntarty work. Yes benefit may be sanctioned for those who fail to comply but statistics show those long term unemployed will continue to remain on benefits if left with no intervention at all. Yes as many have said the aim is to catch those who really dont want a job, are already working or know there way round the system enough.
Whats so wrong with going to JCP daily for supported jobsearch? Fares will be re-embursed and then you have the reat of the day free to continue as you please? Saves your own electricity and internet.

I have seen many people benefit form taking up an opportunity to develop their skills and learn new things. WEX via JCP do also lead to work. I have mentioned in previous threads people who have gained confidence and skills that have lead to employment VIA a WEX.
Last week I had a gentleman who hasn't worked in 8 years taken off after completing an 8 week wex with a recycling company. The employer gave four people a chance and him and one other gentleman stuck it out, full time permanaent position at the end.
Not all WEX leads to jobs but surely its better than nothing if you have a huge gap on your C.V.?

JCP will not stop any voluntary work as long as its for a non profit making organisation and does not stop people seeking work, if you want to volunteer for a company it must be set up as a work expereince and restricted to 8 weeks.