Looking for IT jobs while on the dole

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I left my prev IT job after 5 years in June due to a company take over, they made things very hard for people to stay and in the end about 200 people walked over the space of a few months. I took 6 weeks out and got my 290 exam done, currently doing the 291 and have started looking for work. I went down the job centre to sign on and it was one of most depressing things I have ever done. I thought this place was there to help people who are looking for work. I got given the dirtiest looks and was spoken to like I was something that someone just stepped in while walking through a Dog Kenal! Basically! They kept asking me over and over am I serious about looking for work, My track record speaks for it self I have worked full time since 18 holding down 2 jobs since that time, one for 2 years and the other for 5 years, I am really disappointed with my job centre experiences.

 

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They make everyone feel like that, just ignore it. Ask them everything that you can claim for whilst you are unemployed and just think about it, you aren't on the dole because you are sponging low life like quite a few are, thats mainly what these job centre employees deal with so there not used to dealing people that are genuinely looking for work and not playing the system.

 

Yeah am on it at the moment, they seem to try and fob you off with this "You have to look for full-time work or we can drop your cliam" but hopefully I will be off it in the next few weeks.

 

I signed on once, when I had just left college.

It lasted a month before I ended up doing some building work and bar work for a while - simple because it was so soul-destroying sitting there with all those no-hope dossers.

Seriously - I'm a committed socialist, have been a Trade Union chair representing 1500 people in the past, have led strikes and defended numerous people against management bullying and low pay - but siting there with that scum makes you realise that far from being the downtrodden masses they were in the past, there is a VAST amount of people in the working class now that have no aim in life other than to sit around on their fat arses, smoking cheap fags and drinking Super T, sponging off the state from the age of 16 til the day they die.

The worst aspect of signing on was a 'jobclub' - I was forced to go and turned up five minutes late - was bollocked in front of all the retards who were on it by the woman running it and turned round and walked out - vowing never to sign on again.

If anyone's ever seen 'The League of Gentlemen' - the jobclub parody in that is eerily accurate...

 

I got my break from the Dole Office. I asked them for an IT training course.

They sent me on a basic Windows/Office course training people up in user skills for whatever office jobs they had. When they noticed I had a bit of a flair for it they sent me on a job placement to the support department of a blue chip bank

I worked my socks off on the placement and learnt as quickly as I could to make myself useful, the bank gave me a 3 month summer job then I moved on and have never looked back.

Ask them for an IT course, no matter what your skill level is - see it as a way in. It worked for me, oh yeah and if you're on one of their courses they can't make you work in McDonalds

 

Had the same experiences, previously worked for an organisation who were put in place to provide the services that the Jobcentre said they didn't have the time for, it was strange when I went to sign on that only half of the staff still knew who I was and the other half just ignored me.

Anyway, I believe the treatment you get with the will you look for work etc is just to get folks to take the 1st thing that comes along so you no longer have to suffer it, suppose this is why having some money stashed away would help since you wouldn't have to suffer the indignity of the JC+ experience.

My advice is to maintain your diary and there is nothing they can do but idly threaten your benefits but just ignore them.

Liam

 

I guess Im one of those no-hope dossers.After spending 8 years working as an m/c courier in London I made the mistake of moving home to Scotland where jobs are few.
But I did a telehandler course 2 years ago but noone would take on anyone without experience!I was on the New Deal and they couldnt find anyone to give me a go.Last year I forked out 250 quid of my own money to get my counterbalance licence with the same result.All New Deal could offer me was a few days shelf stacking in a Focus shop and the rest of my time sitting with a bunch of smackheads reading papers all day.
So I got my partner to sign on instead to get off the New Deal and now I have the time to self study in something that might let me make a few bob for myself.

 

Hi Pete how long ago was this i was at the dole office the other day and i asked them about any IT training courses,placements etc and they replied that they dont have anything like this all they got is basic literacy and numeracy courses for people who don't speak English helping them get into a job.

 

I doubt the Job Centre will give out any kind of gratis training these days - they're closing them all down to save money after all.

As for claiming the dole, someone in Rockstar's position is highly unlikely to be successful as he has made him/her self unemployed (rather than being sacked or made redundant). On a positive note, at least round here, the local Job Centre advertises much cushier jobs than any of the agencies.

 

Yes they are looking into why I resigned from my post. I have explained about the shift changes the new company wanted to implement and also fact they tried putting me and others on training courses in customer service at 11pm at night! So far so good, they are asking a few more questions but I should be ok claiming for time being.

 

Good luck with the job hunting mate.

Si

 

I got my training course and job placement in the Summer of 99, would be a shame if they stopped doing that.. Doesn't suprise me if they have though.

 

Hi All -(This might be worth a read through to the end!!) Mmm..JobcentrePlus? Not quite sure what the Plus is, I never found one. I suppose that's not strictly true (Read on). The main aim of JCP is to move your name from one column to another because it makes their various lists of statistics look sooo... much better, whilst gaining brownie points for individual members of staff. (Members is right!!) I had the misfortune to have to visit my local JC in early 2004 after having had to give up work due to ill-health. It was the first time in 35+ years that I'd stepped inside a JC and what an experience. You mean to say that some people go to these places by choice? I made an appointment with an 'employment adviser' with a view to retraining for something less physically demanding than my previous occupation. Plenty jobs on offer, if you found dishwashing and table clearing a fullfilling life choice. I was offered the chance to do a CLAIT/ECDL course through the local LearnDirect. I explained that I had been running my own (very small) business for 20 years and had been using a PC for my accounting, quotes, and general correspondence etc and that I had my sights set on something just a tad more taxing than the dizzy heights of CLAIT/ECDL. I declined this pointless offer and, basically, there was bugger all else of any use to me, or so I was led to believe.

Finally I get to the point , which is -
What the JobcentrePlus don'ttell you about, is that there is funding available for retraining. I'm not 100% sure what employment areas are covered, but IT certainly is. There are obviously certain criteria to meet to access these funds but the good old JC didn't see fit to share this priveliged information with me. I'm not really sure why the JC is so bloody reluctant to advertise the fact. I suspect that these 'employment advisers' have far too cosy an arrangement with a very limited number of training providers and it's easier for them to push you down a crap route because it's an easier option for them.
The funding is referred to, by the powers that be, as a 'One-off Funding Provision'. Part of the application for this dosh is that you have to prepare a good case for emloyment/self-employment. This funding can be up to £10,000 , yes folks, that's 10 Grand. As I've already said, I'm not entirely sure what are the criteria needed to qualify, your local JC may be able to help with the finer points, if their computerised telephone system is actually working.
As things stand, I am studying online for A+, Network+, Security+, Server+, and MCDST. All the examination fees are also paid for by the Jobcentre. For Jobcentre, read taxpayer. As a taxpayer you may be ummm.. a bit disgruntled about the fact that you are funding my training (as well as your own, I guess),but I was a taxpayer myself for 40 years. Anyway, if you are cheesed off about my funding I have another tale to tell, another time, that will really p*** you off.
Finally, if anyone wants to PM me for more info, or even for a bit of assistance with their 'case for employment/self-employment', I'd be happy to share my limited knowledge, (once I've discovered how the pm system works on this site.) Regards.
PS - I didn't get £10,000, nowhere near it, but the JC paperwork allowed for up to this amount

 

Quite right BobT, sadly many peeps are just Joe Bloggs and they won't meet this criteria but by all means give it a shot and exhaust every avenue.

When you go on a jobcentre funded training course you are counted as not unemployed so maybe if the JC anyone is using is struggling to massage the figures this might crop up in convo.

Go in and ask about early entry to TFW (Training for work) and see what they say people, only open to over 25's though.

Liam

 

I think Bob T is referring to WBLA-Work based learning for adults. You have to be over 25 and supposed to be unemployed for over 26 weeks. I know this because I have recently finished a course which was funded in this way. I was only unemployed for about 20 weeks but they let me go on it anyway beacause I was adamant that I wanted to do it and basically didn't stop until they said yes.

Good luck whatever you decide to do
oober

 

Hi ooberman - What I am involved in is definitely not work based, I am doing my 'training', at home, through a Web Based training provider. Basically, I became a 'thorn in the side' of the local Jobcentre staff. In the end they managed to 'kill two birds with one stone' . a) They got me out of their hair whilst I am training, and b)I have no doubt been moved from one statistical column to another. Much rejoicing all round. .
I am getting so cynical I can hardly believe it myself.
As an afterthought.... some of the current training provision provided by JCs is, quite rightly, under scrutiny. Regards.

 

It's funny that they call it work based learning because my learning wasn't work based either. As long as it serves it's purpose they can call it what they like.

Like you I think they just had enough of me nagging them to let me do what I wanted. Good luck with your training bob.

oober

 

Hi ooberman - Thanks for the 'good luck'. If I ever get this cold beer finished I might even knuckle down to some studying