http://intensiveactivity.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/jobcentre-plus-uses-workfare/

Jobcentre Plus uses workfare!!!

The UK workfare debates heats up… and it soon comes apparent that even yours truly Jobcentre Plus is using workfare participants to make up it numbers.

No workfare participant will be able to undertake an Employment Officer role, however, DWP is cutting its “corporate administration budget” by 36% over 4 years.

PCS is already upset with DWP plans to close contact centres and get rid of over 1,900 job vacancies. Labelled a staffing crisis and defending jobs as more centres scheduled to close.

It is now clear, that the least important jobs could soon be replaced with workfare participants.

The workfare job adverts

Lets select 3 – magic number lol. Just to make it clear, you have to contact Jobseeker Direct to find out who the employer is with… they were a little too shy to place “Jobcentre Plus” or “DWP” in the employer box, however, of course its workfare not paid employment (although they pay your benefit so are in every way your employer).

Technically speaking, “Secretary of State” holds the title… so you are in effect slaves of these persons (yes, the term applies to all Secretary of States – not just Work and Pensions).

JOB CENTRE PLUS ADMIN OFFICER

Yes, why not shout about it?! No idea why the uppercase. This one too close to home… in Bury St Edmunds of the same county. The job description:-

This is a work experience placement available to customers claiming Jobseekers Allowance with little or no work history. The placement is working at the Job Centre at St Andrews House in Bury St Edmunds. Through a combination of job-shadowing,mentoring and coaching, the participant will gain an overview of office administration. Duties including (but not exhaustive); filing, minute taking/general admin duties/use of IT and possibly use of telephone to contact customers. A full CRB check will be conducted prior to starting. Personal Advisers must ensure interested customers sign a work experience consent to share form. CV and JCP application form should then be sent to Bury St Edmunds EA team.

With a wage of “JSA + TRAVEL”, hours of “25 – 30 per week” (was also in uppercase… ), location of ” EAST ANGLIA, IP33 ” and reference of “BSD/27427″.

Wait… a CV AND application form?! Not even a paid job …

ADMIN OFFICER (REF 1863)

Unlike the above (yes its uppercase again..) this is placed with a proper SOC code. The job description:-

***Work Experience Customers Only***Applicants must be aged 18 – 24 with little or no work experience and interested in administrative or general office work. Will be working with the public dealing with a diverse range of customers. Researching vacancy opportunities for customers (non LMS). Gaining customer service skills. Helping promote digital channels with customers.Must be able to provide acceptable means of identification for standard security verification checks. CRB checks will need to be undertaken and cleared before an offer of a placement can be made

With a wage of “BENEFITS + TRAVEL EXPENSES”, hours of “30hrs per week” (was also in uppercase… ), location of “CRAMLINGTON NE23″ and reference of “CRM/20576″.

This job is probably posting jobs on twitter lol…

ADMIN OFFICER – WORK EXPERIENCE

Call centre job! The job description:-

***TELFORD Contact Centre*** TF3 4HB Working in a Contact Centre enviroment, Admin duties in an office enviroment. Will be expected to go to a 20 minute informal interview in the Telford room, Ground Foor, New Town house, Telford. START DATE: 19/12/11. ELIGIBILTY: Primarily aimed at younger JSA claimants aged 18-24 from week 13 up to referral to the Work Programme. There is discretion to refer claimants earlier than week 13 &, exceptionally, those aged 25+ who have no recent work history, & 16/17 where agreed – see guidance and/or RC.

With a wage of “NA”, hours of “25″ (how lazy), location of ” TELFORD TF3 ” and reference of ” TEL/64684 “.

Please Note: Did you see the start date? Job was actually posted on the 6th February 2012… so it seems this job has been advertised previously and a lazy copy and paste job without bothering to read it.

Recap

Do you work for Jobcentre Plus? Are you worried about your job?

Are you a jobseeker? Would you work at Jobcentre Plus for no pay?

Paul Champion
Strategic Project Manager

Mobile: 07540 704920