Job Centre Work Programme

Kosmiche · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:43

I've been told I have to attend a work programme or my jsa could be affected, just wondering what this entails?

Lots of different info on the web, some say its work experience to keep getting your benefits, some people saying they've been on the programme but haven't been offered work experience.

Anyone been on this recently and know what I can expect?

Thanks.

GAC · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:44

well theres the work program and workfare.

the work program is supposed to take over from the jobcenter with helping you find work and training as well as help with cv's and forms,

workfare is the poundland work experience horse muck.

Muffin` · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:45

I think it entails getting a job, but I can't be sure.

Disco Boy · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:45

Is this the whole forced work thing of that bird and poundland in the news fame?

Monkeynut · 19 Feb 2013 at 20:49

Disco Boy said:
Is this the whole forced work thing of that bird and poundland in the news fame?

It is.

jakspyder · 20 Feb 2013 at 08:06

GAC said:
well theres the work program and workfare.

the work program is supposed to take over from the jobcenter with helping you find work and training as well as help with cv's and forms,

workfare is the poundland work experience horse muck.

This guy is correct. They're usually quite helpful and actually do something useful to help you get back into work, through training help, experience etc etc

The JC just get you to sign a paper that says you're unemployed. They don't actually do anything related to job searching or help or anything in my experience. Terrible really.

Ceryndrion · 20 Feb 2013 at 08:42

Job Centre = Are you still seeking work? Ok.. sign here.. see you in two weeks
Work Program = Got any interview lately? want a mock interview? feel free to use our antiquated computers and phones, or how about a 2 hour class about 'healthy living'? oh, and see you in a month.

Both as useless as each other.

Name · 20 Feb 2013 at 08:44

I hope i am never unemployed again, dont want to use these useless services.

PMKeates · 20 Feb 2013 at 08:48

Ceryndrion said:
Job Centre = Are you still seeking work? Ok.. sign here.. see you in two weeks
Work Program = Got any interview lately? want a mock interview? feel free to use our antiquated computers and phones, or how about a 2 hour class about 'healthy living'? oh, and see you in a month.

Both as useless as each other.

Uselessness of our work and benefits system summed up there. It all needs throwing away, a new vision, and done again.

GAC · 20 Feb 2013 at 08:51

never said the work program was great, just that it does what the jobcentre should be doing in the first place.

iv been on the work program for nearly a year now and had no interviews via it, hell from august to december last year they where promising me work at a brand new business park doing security work. by december i knew more about the jobs than the adviser at the work program, got to feel sorry for them as the ones iv been dealing with genuinely seem to help get you sorted but get sod all back up what so ever.

Chris-.- · 20 Feb 2013 at 08:59

It depends what they're actually sending you, I've been on a few, some were like placements in a job for like a day which are a waste of time and pointless, I had another one that was 6 months fully paid work which was nice and then you get the agencys that you have to go to once a week which basically entails you just going in like an interview with your advisor and doing sweet bugger all for the 10 minutes you sit there.

spankingtexan · 20 Feb 2013 at 09:28

Nothing wrong with workfare (work placement for 30 hrs a week) as long as it is something you volunteer to do, unfortunately at the moment some of this work isn't on a voluntary basis and sanctions are imposed on claiments if they refuse to do it.

I would suggest you have a read here for up to date info on forced labour...

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18487743

jmc007 · 20 Feb 2013 at 09:44

Ceryndrion said:
Job Centre = Are you still seeking work? Ok.. sign here.. see you in two weeks
Work Program = Got any interview lately? want a mock interview? feel free to use our antiquated computers and phones, or how about a 2 hour class about 'healthy living'? oh, and see you in a month.

Both as useless as each other.

+Work Program- travel miles twice a week to do your job search on said antiquated computers and constantly crashing network. Fail one of these appointments and be placed on sanctions. i.e. Lose JSA payments.

asim18 · 20 Feb 2013 at 10:02

I have a friend on JSA who's on the Work Program.

He has to attend a centre called CDG, and the other day he was telling me how they told him to commit fraud by referring him to a company which helps disabled people into work and how they told him to say he's been diagnosed with depression or something.

He's always complaining about various things about the centre. Feel sorry for the guy, he's desperate.

IRLeetly · 20 Feb 2013 at 10:16

Someone who I used to volunteer with has to write a 200 word essay about why they want to return to work through one of these initiatives the job centre has.

GAC · 20 Feb 2013 at 11:08

IRLeetly said:
Someone who I used to volunteer with has to write a 200 word essay about why they want to return to work through one of these initiatives the job centre has.

dear lord thats just mental,

why do you want to return to work ? because i dont enjoy having no money !!!!!!!!!

RetiredGreyFox · 20 Feb 2013 at 11:12

Back in 2008 the Job Centre made me go on a 3 week course/work experience at the local hospital and 5 years later I'm still there in a good job.
Worked for me.

GAC · 20 Feb 2013 at 11:22

Dimple said:
Back in 2008 the Job Centre made me go on a 3 week course/work experience at the local hospital and 5 years later I'm still there in a good job.
Worked for me.

and il say it again, thats not whats on offer at the mo, all you get offered (forced) now is poundland or some other shelf stack experience for a few weeks with no job at the end.

as many have said in the other thread about poundland if the jobs where actual worthwhile or helping their local community then a lot of the grief about the scheme would vanish.

'Harry · 20 Feb 2013 at 11:29

Ive gotten 2 jobs through work program. First time said job lasted 7 months before they got rid of ne for having a week off sick ( I slammed a pallet truck into my foot..it went purple/black green) second was suppose to be 4-6 months, but was laid off after a week.

It can be useful, but for the most part its cack. Any training they offer is in house and comes with no actual certificate. They'll send you on forK lift course/SIA license...but be aware they send a lot of people on these. Without exp neither is that useful

beamer · 20 Feb 2013 at 11:32

If only the "elites" were honouring the social contract that permits the capitalist system to truly flourish.

Social responsibility - stuff that ... I want my bonus this quarter and if that means screwing over my employees, the local community and the rest of society, why should I care ? Oh ... new "employees" that have to work for 1/3 of minimum wage - that political donation is sure getting me a cracking return.

GAC said:
and il say it again, thats not whats on offer at the mo, all you get offered (forced) now is poundland or some other shelf stack experience for a few weeks with no job at the end.

as many have said in the other thread about poundland if the jobs where actual worthwhile or helping their local community then a lot of the grief about the scheme would vanish.