Just got back after a stroll in the fields on what's almost a lovely spring morning. Something I never take for granted these days, but something so delightfully simple and refreshing. I think I'd go mad without being surrounded by the green and wild hedgerows of rural Britain. It's the simple things in life, but that's me - I'm a simple person and nature is free (though not if Fuhrer Cameron ever got his way I should think).
Anyway, enough Last of the Summer Wine, Jobfit have contacted me to book my Mandatory Work Programme Appointment (or whatever the buzz phrase was, it all washed over me, like splashback from a nasty du - well you get my drift :D
So it's Jobfit that are the overall provider, but, although they didn't say, it's the Sally Army that are running it on the ground. In fact the helpful Eastern European accented call person said the only alternative was another town (between both venues I'm equidistant) which happens to be the only other place nearby with a Salvation Army venue. So there it is; I'm called for duty on the 3rd of next month at ten in the a.m. Conveniently they aren't open when it would be the most convenient, which is bizarre given that the Salvation Army hall is (because they serve tea to old dears and I've used the toilet before going across the road to sign on at the JC).
I will never understand just why these mandatory kinds of schemes are so inflexible: they want people to attend, they want to force 'help' upon them, but they don't actually want to make it easier for that person.
Can't wait. Now I just have to make sure I'm up on all the stuff I don't need to and don't have to sign. I did have to verify my address and date of birth on the phone, but I guess that can't be avoided.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that during the phone call I was asked to confirm my goals as set out in the Jobseeker Agreement (the three job types I agree to look for, though I have piss all interest in them). However this was edited to include writing when sent off to the provider as they are meant to help me achieve this goal. That's the point of this programme. But the caller separated those goals into short term (ie what they are going to focus on) and long term (which they will leave you to get on with, despite the remit of the Work Programme). I insisted there was no distinction - and there isn't; the Jobseekers Agreement doesn't separate. It lists three job types and that's it.
Anyway, enough Last of the Summer Wine, Jobfit have contacted me to book my Mandatory Work Programme Appointment (or whatever the buzz phrase was, it all washed over me, like splashback from a nasty du - well you get my drift :D
So it's Jobfit that are the overall provider, but, although they didn't say, it's the Sally Army that are running it on the ground. In fact the helpful Eastern European accented call person said the only alternative was another town (between both venues I'm equidistant) which happens to be the only other place nearby with a Salvation Army venue. So there it is; I'm called for duty on the 3rd of next month at ten in the a.m. Conveniently they aren't open when it would be the most convenient, which is bizarre given that the Salvation Army hall is (because they serve tea to old dears and I've used the toilet before going across the road to sign on at the JC).
I will never understand just why these mandatory kinds of schemes are so inflexible: they want people to attend, they want to force 'help' upon them, but they don't actually want to make it easier for that person.
Can't wait. Now I just have to make sure I'm up on all the stuff I don't need to and don't have to sign. I did have to verify my address and date of birth on the phone, but I guess that can't be avoided.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that during the phone call I was asked to confirm my goals as set out in the Jobseeker Agreement (the three job types I agree to look for, though I have piss all interest in them). However this was edited to include writing when sent off to the provider as they are meant to help me achieve this goal. That's the point of this programme. But the caller separated those goals into short term (ie what they are going to focus on) and long term (which they will leave you to get on with, despite the remit of the Work Programme). I insisted there was no distinction - and there isn't; the Jobseekers Agreement doesn't separate. It lists three job types and that's it.
They are not there to get you a job they are there to get you job ready (so they keep saying to me).. They dont see you as a living breathing human, all you are is a tick box on a piece of paper. They believe that all the unemployed are sitting there doing nothing so whenever they want you they just have to whistle and like a good little poodle the unemployed will come with its tail wagging..
ReplyDeleteI don't doubt it. We will see what happens. I've had to edit the original post because I forgot to mention that, when they rang, they asked me about my job goals, as per the Jobseekers Agreement. Specifically, that they separated them into 'long term goal' (my interest in writing, which is part of my JSAg, which makes no such distinction), and 'short term goal' (customer service - though with the JC-agreed proviso of not working in a call centre). Of course, they will toss out the long term interest and go for the, easier presumably, short term goal.
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