Have to meet with Facilitator

mary55

Hey got a letter today in the post that says I have to meet with a facilitator about my employment training and education needs and it says if I dont attend that they will review my entitlement to social welfare payement. I have been on Job Seekers Allowence since last January. Kind of worried about this as I am not really sure what I will be asked just wondering has anyone ever had a meeting with one a facilitator and if they did what did they ask them?

Regards,

Mary.

DO'Carlo/Wex

Interested in a few replies on this myself.
I'm on JB til Febuary but my Bro is abroad & is on JA since April 2008 & has never been called.
Is selection just random? Cos he's never been called so far.

Sephiroth_dude

Is it someone from fas your meeting or someone from the social welfare office?

maxwell smart

Take it as a positive, go prepared with a list of courses you'd like them to fund and they will try to help you out with some funding. Their goal is to get you back into employment.

Good Luck!

mary55

Im meeting with someone from social welfare that is the address on the letter. I was just wondering what to expect thats all and if someone had ever been to see a facilitator?

Xiney

Afraid I can't help you, but this thread reminded me that I've got an appointment myself this afternoon! Seriously jumped about four feet into the air upon remembering that... yikes

Sephiroth_dude

Let us know how ye both get on .

mary55

yes i will let ye know how i get on but my appointment is not until the 20th October in the meantime I was wondering could anyone recommend something that would help me in this meeting or anything I could bring with me. Just a bit worried about it. Thanks.

Sephiroth_dude

If you have any rejection letters from jobs you've applied for bring them with you thats all really I can think of.

mary55

Ok thanks if anyone has other suggestions they would be very appreciated. Thanks.

Xiney

It was a very short meeting (around 15 minutes).

He inquired about whether I was interested in going back to education, and we spoke about my plan to take part in the BTWEA scheme. He encouraged me to have my application ready for the first day I'm eligible (December 1) since the budget may affect that scheme.

There was no grilling on attempts to find work.

cee_jay

I don't think the facilitator is overly interested in your job search - they are there to help with other options available to you - any courses that may help you further your employment prospects and things like that. You shouldn't be worrying too much about this meeting.

Xiney hope the BTWEA works out for you!

mary55

thanks xiney its just i didnt really know what to expect and thanks everybody else too for their help just wondering xiney did you bring anything with you to the meeting ?

Xiney

just the letter that they sent me - because they said to bring it.

I didn't even bring my CV.

mary55

ok thanks for that xiney. least I kind of know what to expect now. thanks.

maxwell smart

If you are going to bring anything along, bring a list of courses you are interested in, and the prices of them. The facilitator has a budget and as its getting near the end of the year they will be anxious to spend it. They can fund you up to approx €600.

I found them very helpful.

mary55

so had you a meeting with one as well Maxwell?

maxwell smart

Yes I went to see my local one and she was vert helpful. I had a course I wanted to get on and showed how it would help me get back into employment, she was happy to fund €550 of it for me. She offered €500 at first but I talked her up to €550.

mary55

Hey Maxwell thanks for ur help would they fund any course ?

maxwell smart

Once its not 3rd level they are very open to hep you out, if you can prove it will benifit you. I got approved for a course which I could show would help me in launching a new online business I've been working on for a good few months.

Good Luck and be prepared!

mary55

ok thanks maxwell

TheRealist

Maxwell, can I ask a question? I'm also planning on taking up the BTWEA next year and I have one of those meetings coming up. Are the courses you are talking about limited to FAS courses? I presume they are...


Edit: Just read the above responses, can I ask with whom you are doing your course, just to give me an idea? Thanks

mary55

I was just wondering has anyone else met with a facilitator ?

maxwell smart

I'm doing a digital marketing course with the digital marketing institute. Its very much focused on where my business is heading, but I did have to show this to both FAS and the SW.

Hope that helps, any more info just ask.