I totally agree.

I have recently found myself out of work and when I phoned the job centre about getting some kind of funding or support for doing the courses I need to pursue my career they were very unhelpful. I just got brushed off and told they can’t do anything, in fact I came off the phone feeling worse than when I called as the advisor went on to tell me in a ”negative” manner how doing these exams isn’t necessarily going to help and reeled off all the different types of people from various industries that had been laid off. When I told him I had already had confirmation from two companies that they would take me on if I had the right qualifications he proceeded to put a negative slant on things and mentioned a few people who he knew that had been laid off in this particular industry, as you can imagine I was quite frustrated at this as having done my research and in my experience searching for the jobs I am looking for at the moment these qualifications will open up doors of opportunities and without them I am missing out on interviews so I have very little to no chance getting a job. I believe I am currently missing out on at least 50% of the job opportunities that should be available to me and I know I am capable of doing but because of the climate companies can be picky and tend to select the people with the best qualifications first for the interview process.

I have been looking for a small grant to get me started doing my insurance exams which will help massively and show willing to potential employers even if I am not fully qualified.

Can anybody help?? Any advice would be greatly received.

Many thanks

Dean Ratcliffe
07809727045

Critics of the scheme state that this is displacing paid jobs. In my experience rather than displacing jobs it has created jobs as employers recognise the benefits of employing talented people and looking towards expanding business activity. So convinced am I of this scheme that my daughter ( a NEET) is currently on a work placement with a company selected by me with her in mind. She now has experience of customer service, working with children, operating a till, designing products, web site design, accounting, and writing a blog. Not bad in 6 weeks … 15 hours per week. The owner of the business said there were no jobs at the company initially but guess what … like magic … the owner saw the advantageous of employing some one and is looking into possibility giving my daughter a part time job as she now considers expanding her business in the recession ! I have experienced of this so many times. In fact at one stage I was told that 1 in 3 of my corporation placements resulted in jobs. An exaggeration I am sure but there are some very impressive stories.

Of course there are companies who will take advantage of such a scheme. I recalled a large DIY chain who were using the scheme for free placements for up to 8 weeks prior to offering jobs. However they were carefully managed to ensure that they did not abuse the scheme. This chain was also ‘persuaded’ to provide painting and decorating equipment for a local charity foc. The decorators were MWA placements who gained confidence and a great deal of pride in being able to help a charity. Real community spirit and the DIY company provided long term employment too.

There is more to MWA than just the opportunity to work for free and maybe gain employment. As a psychology graduate who has recently begun training in counselling, it is obvious that work not only provides income but social contact and status. MWA gives individuals the opportunity to interact with others making social contacts whilst doing useful work. With the long term unemployed it levels the playing field giving them a chance to obtain employment without necessarily relying on experience or employment recency. Individuals can try new careers not open through the normal route. Factory workers going into retail is one example. Individuals with barriers such as mental illness, long term sickness, mothers returning to work and individuals with criminal records all can have an opportunity. Unemployment leads to low self esteem, reducing confidence and also in some cases ikncreasing social isolation. This can lead to depression, sickness and mental illness as well as poverty and social fragmentation. MWA can have an amazing effect on individual’s well being and prospects.

There are advantages for employers too. They can try before they ‘buy’ the new employee, and develop growth areas using additional skills sets.

The current work programme addresses once again the need for CV, basic skills, it skills and job search under its smart activities. Real change needs the opportunity to work and gain experience and skills in a work setting as well as to lift confidence and self esteem. Mandatory work programme has this power. Don’t limit its effect by just using this in the voluntary sector.