New Deal JSA

Ruud

Hi

I have been claiming JSA for around 5 months and the other day i got a letter from the job center saying ive got a meeting with a personal adviser talking about New deal. And at the end it says "we will meet regularly to discuss your progress" does that mean every week or 2 weeks?

Has anyone else been to this new deal meeting?

The PA is going to get tuff with me as ive seen him before and didnt like his attitude

Thank you peeps

you_wicked_gay

I'm on New Deal at the moment.

The meeting you have should last around an hour. They'll give you a simple test to do to check if you need any help with reading/writing/mathematics.

Then you'll go through what new deal is and be giving information, a 'better off' calculation sheet and will go through your original job choices.

My new deal advisor books me in for every fortnight or sometimes on the odd occasion for a weekly appointment to check on progress of job hunting.

I was told about a course which new deal applicants are to go on, i think it lasts around 2 weeks and is to help with all aspects of getting a job like CV writing, application form filling in, interview techniques etc. But because I'm currently going through a long drawn out application process for a tesco store opening near me I won't be able to take the course because it will clash with the meetings i have for the tesco job.

Really your new deal advisor will tell you everything you need to know and if you have any queries you shouldn't hesitate to ask.

New deal advisors are generally more helpful than the usual people you see to sign on, they're alot more bothered about what happens to you. My new deal advisor called me today to let me know my jsa payment would be a little late as he hadn't had time to submit the stuff he needed to on tuesday. He offered me options which i could take up if there would be a problem with the late payment. Very helpful.

Ruud

you_wicked_gay wrote: »

I'm on New Deal at the moment.

The meeting you have should last around an hour. They'll give you a simple test to do to check if you need any help with reading/writing/mathematics.

Then you'll go through what new deal is and be giving information, a 'better off' calculation sheet and will go through your original job choices.

My new deal advisor books me in for every fortnight or sometimes on the odd occasion for a weekly appointment to check on progress of job hunting.

I was told about a course which new deal applicants are to go on, i think it lasts around 2 weeks and is to help with all aspects of getting a job like CV writing, application form filling in, interview techniques etc. But because I'm currently going through a long drawn out application process for a tesco store opening near me I won't be able to take the course because it will clash with the meetings i have for the tesco job.

Really your new deal advisor will tell you everything you need to know and if you have any queries you shouldn't hesitate to ask.

New deal advisors are generally more helpful than the usual people you see to sign on, they're alot more bothered about what happens to you. My new deal advisor called me today to let me know my jsa payment would be a little late as he hadn't had time to submit the stuff he needed to on tuesday. He offered me options which i could take up if there would be a problem with the late payment. Very helpful.

How long have you been on new deal for? And also if they was to send me on a course whould it be near home?

Thanks

you_wicked_gay

Ruud wrote: »

How long have you been on new deal for? And also if they was to send me on a course whould it be near home?

Thanks

I've been on new deal now for about a month.

Oh yes the course would be near to where you live, I'm not exactly sure 'cause I haven't been told any further about it, but when you go to your new deal interview ask about it

princesslae

Conor wrote: »

Well you've been on the dole for 5 months and there's more jobs available than there are people to fill them so there's no excuse really.

Sorry, but I think that's quite a rude thing to say.

There may well be more jobs than there are people to fill them, but that's not to say that all of those jobs will be suitable for the person looking. And yes I know that once you should consider other employment while you continue to look for your dream job as you're more employable when your employed, but there may be vacancies that the OP is unable to travel to, or that he/she doesn't have relevent experience/qualifications for. Their post asked for advice about the New Deal programme, not for you to judge them.

I've been unemployed for six months and in that time, I can honestly say I've been trying incredibly hard to find a new job. I've applied for literally piles of things and sometimes you don't even get an aknowledgement of your application and it's very frustrating. I'm not proud of being on JSA and I certainly don't enjoy going to the Jobcentre, but at the same time I know I am trying very hard and that soon that will pay off and I'll get offered something...I've worked hard in all my previous jobs and will do again, as I'm sure the OP will.

I can understand what you mean about your advisor OP, the attitudes of some of the staff at my JC leaves alot to be desired too.

Good luck with the New Deal stuff and I hope you find something soon

Ruud

Hi princesslae i take it your on new deal aswell ?
i also happy to see someone else having trouble getting a job that you can do and not just me.
Im scared of being sent to a course with a load of yobs

Tigger36

I used to be a New Deal Personal Adviser - changed jobs 7 years ago though - thank God I'm not one now!
Anyway, make sure that you get everything you're entitled to. They have a small amount of discretionary funding to help with interview clothes, travel expenses etc. You can access short vocational courses and can also get a job subsidy. This helps employers out with your wage so it gives you a definite advantage.
Unfortunately, many people on New Deal have gone around the cycle a lot more than once. So, you may end up on a course (which is mandatory) with people who simply don't want to work. Don't let this put you off just make the most of it - update your CV and get some advice. You should get a lot of help to get back into work.
Oh, and one more thing - if you're aged 18 to 24 then New Deal hapens EVERY YEAR until you get a job. If you're still unemployed next year you'll go through the whole process all over again. :eek:

Ruud

Who decides to put me on a course or not the Personal Adviser?

ukdickie31

New Deal for 18-24 year olds is mandatory and the courses on it (Gateway Centre and Gateway to Work) are short intensive Jobsearch courses within the 16 weeks of New Deal. These are mandatory referrals that the advisor has to make and the courses are contracted out to local providers.

The aim of these courses is to help you in to employment before the 16th week. At the 16th week, if not before, the personal advisor must refer you to an Option, and this again is mandatory and you could find that the adviser makes the final decision where to send you, however most times it's a joint decision and isn't an issue.

Finally, the Adviser Discretion Fund is exactly what is says. It's the Adviser who has discretion to financially assist in overcoming barriers to work, within a very limited and restricted budget and framework. It is not an entitlement.

princesslae

Ruud wrote: »

Hi princesslae i take it your on new deal aswell ?
i also happy to see someone else having trouble getting a job that you can do and not just me.
Im scared of being sent to a course with a load of yobs

Hiya Ruud,

Yes, I should have mentioned that I am also on New Deal at the moment.

I started the Gateway course that the JC sent me to a few weeks ago, but only attended for two days due to private reasons (I know that sounds like I'm a loafer, but I really do have a genuine serious reason). I'm a real worrier and like you, I was very nervous about going with lots of chavs, but most of the people on my course were actually okay. Granted, there were a few people who didn't seem to give a damn, but there were also people that were trying hard and just not getting lucky. It was in the next big town from the big town my JC is in, they only have them in every other town and there were people from all different places, but they wont send you to one miles away. Your travel costs will be reimbursed weekly (you'll need to use your ND photocard, do you have one of those? If not ask your ND advisor) and lunch should also be provided by them.

To be honest though, I didn't actually find the CV building workshop we did very helpful personally, I didn't like the changes they made to mine and when there are at least 4/5 people in your class that are going for the same kind of work as you in the same area, I don't think it pays to all have the same style CV. I had help from a relative who has previously worked in that field with putting together my original CV and I know it's good as in the past at interviews it's been commented on. I'm not knocking the programme at all though, just giving my opinion.

I'm due at the JC later actually, my normal advisor is away so I will have to see one of her colleagues so hope it goes okay.

Ruud

Isnt the first 2 weeks of the course at the job center then they may send you someplace else after.
Also how often do you have to go to your course is it a couple of days a week