tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941116624675227992.post9061489408143695298..comments2024-02-29T10:55:43.449-08:00Comments on Watching A4e: A4e's "abysmal" recordUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941116624675227992.post-42444556765322140062012-02-16T07:29:40.522-08:002012-02-16T07:29:40.522-08:00There is much more to a back to work programme tha...There is much more to a back to work programme than providing free "labour"... Some people do get work out of these schemes. HOWEVER it is up to the delivery agent in this case A4E to ensure that potential employers do not take advantage of the labour that is on offer.<br /><br />As the last comment said- Where will the jobs come from?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941116624675227992.post-67787555739052515552012-02-10T03:02:02.154-08:002012-02-10T03:02:02.154-08:00My son just signed on after having surgery on his ...My son just signed on after having surgery on his shoulder(previously worked at amazon)he was put on work experience,sorting glass at a recycling plant for 8 weeks 30 hrs a week.The employer was very nice but admitted 2 days training would of sufficed,but as he was offered free labour and once agreeing to work there you cannot opt out or you lose your JSA what can he do,so lets do the math<br /><br />8 workers at 30hrs per week=240 times 8 weeks=1920hrs = cost nothing<br />so why would they hire anybody?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941116624675227992.post-55725690098713845582012-02-09T14:04:16.175-08:002012-02-09T14:04:16.175-08:00Plan b? were will the jobs come from?Plan b? were will the jobs come from?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941116624675227992.post-38894249218528135282012-02-09T11:26:14.007-08:002012-02-09T11:26:14.007-08:00Considering that Fred Goodwin lost his bauble, sor...Considering that Fred Goodwin lost his bauble, sorry knighthood (originally awarded for his services to the banking industry) for poor performance, would it not be fitting to remove Ms Harrison's CBE (originally awarded for helping the unemployed and the voluntary sector) for her now publicised poor performance? Especially as both have cost the taxpayer dearly.<br /><br />Just a thought.iMattnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941116624675227992.post-30745964738250044392012-02-09T10:29:27.538-08:002012-02-09T10:29:27.538-08:00http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/07/work...http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/07/work-programme-cheap-contracts-awarded<br /><br />However, in making providers of the Work Programme compete on price, the Department for Work and Pensions has sought savings in the short term, from the payments made to the providers.<br /><br />In order to cut their costs, contractors must reduce the scope and quality of their service, see fewer jobseekers and see them less often. They must prioritise rigorously, not wasting precious time on intensive, professional, expensive assistance – such as help with debt, depression, alcohol abuse, homelessness, and so on. In the harsh parlance of procurement, they must "cream and park", focusing on the quick wins and ignoring the difficult ones.<br /><br />But if we are to hold these contracts to account, the government must release further detail on performance more than six months into the scheme. We must know how many jobseekers, with what backgrounds, have started, with which contractors; what service they have received; what jobs they are applying for; and with what outcomes. We should see what has been spent and whether contractors are using and paying the charities they committed to.<br /><br />We also need a plan B. Anyone not finding a job after two years should attend a further year of assistance on a new "Work Programme plus". It should be delivered through local specialist organisations, providing intensive support, up to 12 months' work experience and investment in business start-up and growth.<br /><br /><br />This is a good story http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/Finance/article/1116496/margaret-hodge-mp-tells-work-programme-contractor-a4e-adds-no-value/<br /><br /><br />http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=10079 Committee Room 15 <br />Meeting started on Wednesday 8 February at 3.25pm. Ended at 6.34pm<br /><br />The introduction of the Work Programme<br />Witnesses<br />Baroness Stedman-Scott, Chief Executive, Tomorrow’s People, Professor Dan Finn, Professor of Social Inclusion, University of Portsmouth, Geraldine Blake, Chief Executive, Community Links<br />Robert Devereux, Permanent Secretary, Alan Cave, Senior Responsible Owner for the Work Programme, Chris Hayes, Director, Labour Market Strategy, Department for Work and Pensions, and Andrew Dutton, Chief Executive Officer, A4e The videoThe Anonymousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05910309623471217302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941116624675227992.post-61307754979033825682012-02-09T08:55:55.869-08:002012-02-09T08:55:55.869-08:00This work programme May help some unemployed get i...This work programme May help some unemployed get into work, but i personally see it as a way of these big companies getting free work. Why spend money to hire a person for 20 hours a week, when we can get 5 or 6 other people doing the job for nothing. Why buy the cow when you get the milk free? I am not saying all companies will do this.. but it makes good financial sense for them. No NI. no pensions, no pay and they still get to have the workers. <br /><br />The unemployed are invisible, the people who are sent on this work programme will be invisible, so the moral majority will feel good about themselves thinking its sorted when 3 months on then however many months off doesnt help anyone get a job.The Anonymousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05910309623471217302noreply@blogger.com