Out of work 6+ months? Give the employers a govt-funded bribe of £2500

Indy500 · 6 Jul 2009 at 17:11

It isn't called a bribe by Jobcentre Plus - "recruitment and training subsidy" but it may as well be one. The last £500 is conditional on the employment lasting 6 months, but even £2000 is about the equivalent of 2.5 months pay at national minimum wage.

Of course, throwing money at employers to deal with the unemployed is hardly a new thing - the number of firms leeching off the taxpayer has increased exponentially under this umbrella of "training". The £2500 in the case of the employment subsidy voucher certainly compares favourably with the £50 run-on that you receive yourself...

Anyone here going to actively push this when applying\being interviewed?

Hayley-K · 6 Jul 2009 at 17:23

Out of work for that long or on jobseekers for that long? I know many people that are the former but very few whom are the latter. However I will spread the word

Indy500 · 6 Jul 2009 at 17:25

Hayley-K said:
Out of work for that long or on jobseekers for that long? I know many people that are the former but very few whom are the latter. However I will spread the word

JSA.

Why don't they sign on? Even if they don't like jobcentres and don't need welfare payments, I'm sure being credited your NI contributions\having a reference for that period is useful...

Mr Jack · 6 Jul 2009 at 17:27

Sounds like a pretty solid idea to me. What's your objection?

Indy500 · 6 Jul 2009 at 17:31

Mr Jack said:
Sounds like a pretty solid idea to me. What's your objection?

It isn't dealing with the underlying economic problem, its a short term patch at best. I'm also not sure in these times of record deficit that the government should be spending potentially £2+ billion on more subsidies.

Hayley-K · 6 Jul 2009 at 17:36

sr4470 said:
JSA.

Why don't they sign on? Even if they don't like jobcentres and don't need welfare payments, I'm sure being credited your NI contributions\having a reference for that period is useful...

I'm sure it is but I think its the atmosphere of going down there that will prob make them even more depressed

Due to most of their ages 21-22 ish most are living at home and are genuinely looking for work but either don't have experience or are finding it hard to get on grad schemes.

They did say something about not being allowed to be going on holidays or not being allowed to do internships whilst on JSA or charity work or having to go in every week after 13weeks.

I think just lots of little things. Also you kinda always think a jobs just around the corner lol

I have always been in work so don't know the full facts just thats some of the things they have said.

Indy500 · 6 Jul 2009 at 17:42

Hayley-K said:
I'm sure it is but I think its the atmosphere of going down there that will prob make them even more depressed Due to most of their ages 21-22 ish most are living at home and are genuinely looking for work but either don't have experience or are finding it hard to get on grad schemes.

They did say something about not being allowed to be going on holidays or not being allowed to do internships whilst on JSA or charity work or having to go in every week after 13weeks.

I think just lots of little things. Also you kinda always think a jobs just around the corner lol

I have always been in work so don't know the full facts just thats some of the things they have said.

Well thats up to them. You will find yourself on a short leash when on welfare, something that seems to be forgotten by the "sterilise them!!!" brigade on OCUK forums.

But if they can't be bothered to do that, what makes them think a job will come easy?

Elfmeister. · 6 Jul 2009 at 17:49

My JCP have also put this scheme to me but where as you get £2k + £500*, I only get £500 + £500*
(*after 6 months).

Think I'll be having word with my advisor for an increase!

CliffyBiro · 6 Jul 2009 at 17:51

I'll be coming up to 6 months very soon but will be going into full time education again in Sept hopefully.

Hayley-K · 6 Jul 2009 at 17:51

sr4470 said:
But if they can't be bothered to do that, what makes them think a job will come easy?

I personally think doing internships and volenteering to boost their CVs with experience and references will look much better than 'was on JSA for 6months'

Plus grad schemes normally needs load of bull that can take ages to fill in and if you have just been in education non stop you look very boring indeed. All your examples will be education related.

Fubsy · 6 Jul 2009 at 17:51

I'm sure I was told about something similar to this when I was on JSA late last year.

I found that going on JSA pushed me into finding a job more (still took a long time for some strange reason, 3 offers came along in a week after close to 8 months none stop trying and almost 300 applications/cover letters/cvs). It's just the confirmation of the crap that you're in when you have to go the JC every week and then on the new deal schemes. Plus I needed the money.

Oh, and fair enough, if you don't need the money don't go on JSA, but not everyone can afford not to.

xb8browney · 6 Jul 2009 at 17:51

About the employers leeching. I know of a company here who have laid all there staff off and now only take people on 13 week placements from the job centre.....Slave labour (guys on placement don't get paid)

Hayley-K · 6 Jul 2009 at 17:55

xb8browney said:
About the employers leeching. I know of a company here who have laid all there staff off and now only take people on 13 week placements from the job centre.....Slave labour (guys on placement don't get paid)

hmmm that sucks. What kind of work is it? If it is decent work then I guess its win win for the job seeker and the employer

but if its like cleaning ect then thats just kinda sad imo

Fubsy · 6 Jul 2009 at 17:58

Hayley-K said:
hmmm that sucks. What kind of work is it? If it is decent work then I guess its win win for the job seeker and the employer but if its like cleaning ect then thats just kinda sad imo

Most likely low skilled, minimum wage (when paid) work. And it's bad for the job seeker as the company will just turn round at the end of the 13 weeks and say "nah sorry, we aint got no jobs, good luck though", then just take on some more placements.

I saw how this all worked when I was on New Deal.

Indy500 · 6 Jul 2009 at 18:01

Hayley-K said:
I personally think doing internships and volenteering to boost their CVs with experience and references will look much better than 'was on JSA for 6months'

Plus grad schemes normally needs load of bull that can take ages to fill in and if you have just been in education non stop you look very boring indeed. All your examples will be education related.

If they're paid internships then why would they be short term? If they're unpaid, you can still sign on. Who says you have to put "on JSA for 6 months" anyway? You could be on a part-time NVQ free of charge for example. Working on the assumption that you'll always have a placement is naive, to be honest.

As for graduates, well you really need to be talking to employers as soon as you start the course. The degree I applied for myself leaves most of the week for employment or other things, so I'll be marketing myself as an undergraduate student soon enough.

Fubsy said:
Most likely low skilled, minimum wage (when paid) work. And it's bad for the job seeker as the company will just turn round at the end of the 13 weeks and say "nah sorry, we aint got no jobs, good luck though", then just take on some more placements.

I saw how this all worked when I was on New Deal.

I agree, as someone who worked on both sides of the programme.

wannabedamned · 6 Jul 2009 at 18:03

Someone working for their job seekers allowance is going to look better than someone not to a possible employer. I had a friend who volunteered and received job seekers allowance, just because he hated the sit on his ass attitude that too many Job Seekers now have.

Indy500 · 6 Jul 2009 at 18:05

wannabedamned said:
Someone working for their job seekers allowance is going to look better than someone not to a possible employer. I had a friend who volunteered and received job seekers allowance, just because he hated the sit on his ass attitude that too many Job Seekers now have.

Volunteered for what though? We are talking about roles that normally would be filled by full-time paid staff.

wannabedamned · 6 Jul 2009 at 18:08

sr4470 said:
Volunteered for what though? We are talking about roles that normally would be filled by full-time paid staff.

That guy in particular volunteered at a PDSA store, It was relevant as like I said it makes you look more employable if you're trying. These people on placements aren't there full time. They usually go into full time real employment straight from their placement, OR they suck at life and end up dole mongering again afterwards.

Indy500 · 6 Jul 2009 at 18:10

wannabedamned said:
That guy in particular volunteered at a PDSA store, It was relevant as like I said it makes you look more employable if you're trying. These people on placements aren't there full time. They usually go into full time real employment straight from their placement, OR they suck at life and end up dole mongering again afterwards.

4 days a week is almost full time...PDSA is a charity so it isn't what I was talking about. Do you really think it makes sense to work for free for say, Tesco for 13 weeks stacking shelves?

wannabedamned · 6 Jul 2009 at 18:15

sr4470 said:
4 days a week is almost full time...PDSA is a charity so it isn't what I was talking about. Do you really think it makes sense to work for free for say, Tesco for 13 weeks stacking shelves?

I feel it gives the person who's being forced to work for his JSA a kick up the backside and makes him realise Hold on, Rather than doing this for JUST my JSA I could be actually doing it for a living!

I feel personally that a lot of the people on Job Seekers are on it because it's free money for saying "Yes I have looked for a job" When they havent. By making them work for their JSA now for 13 weeks it's a bit of a wakeup call to start looking for work.

Yes it's bad that companies are taking advantage by sacking real work force, but generally those people will no doubt go out and get another job, Where as the people who have been unemployed for 6months arent trying very hard