Should I quit useless job for dole + fas work?

Adam

hi all, i'm hoping someone can tell me one way or the other if my idea is entirely stupid. basically i'm working for my parents' business at the moment, part time so that i have some income, but the job is providing me with nothing useful in the long term.

i'm constantly looking through jobs on Fas and seeing jobs far more relevant to what i would like to do (i.e. IT related positions) under the WPP scheme, and so I'm wondering would it be more useful for me to be "laid off" my current employ to go for one of these courses and achieve some relevant experience and something i can actually put on a CV?

skyline1515

if you are looking into other jobs, you are not happy with what you are doing now.. Will you be taking over the family business at some point? If you feel that there is a job more suited to your experience then go for it.. i have a few friends who have worked in the family business that have left and done other things or worked within the same sector for some time and come back to the family business with new ideas etc...

Sparky Toast

Just remember to double-check your entitlement to the dole and whether or not you can begin receiving it immediately or not. But other than that, why not go for it?

If the Scheme doesn't work out to your expectations, you can always leave it at any time and go back working for the folks.

Adam

Sparky Toast wrote: »

Just remember to double-check your entitlement to the dole and whether or not you can begin receiving it immediately or not. But other than that, why not go for it?

If the Scheme doesn't work out to your expectations, you can always leave it at any time and go back working for the folks.

on that note, how can i check my entitlement without actually applying?

mossyc123

Careful now!
You need to be unemployed and in receipt of benefits for at least 3 months before you can take up a WPP and continue to get your benefits for the duration of the WPP.
If you want to go straight from paid employment to an unpaid WPP you will NOT be entitled to any benefits.

Adam

mossyc123 wrote: »

Careful now!
You need to be unemployed and in receipt of benefits for at least 3 months before you can take up a WPP and continue to get your benefits for the duration of the WPP.
If you want to go straight from paid employment to an unpaid WPP you will NOT be entitled to any benefits.

indeed, i forgot about those three months!

i'm just very frustrated, staying in the position i'm in now is of no benefit to me, but i can't find any other jobs out there!

gollem_1975

Adam wrote: »

indeed, i forgot about those three months!

i'm just very frustrated, staying in the position i'm in now is of no benefit to me, but i can't find any other jobs out there!

what do you mean no benefit to you.. you are getting paid aren't you.. you may even be getting food and board.

if you weren't working for the family business you might not even have a job.

however you probably know all this already so I'll stop preaching

Nothing to stop you from applying for the WPP positions

the employer is normally listed on the job ad..i.e. you don't necessarily have to apply directly through fas , though by applying outside of fas I have no way of knowing if the employer will consider you, its worth a shot though.

As previous posters say WPP means that you keep your benefit ( until it runs out ) .. if you aren't getting any benefit from DSFA then you have none to keep while you are doing the WPP if you get my drift.

tommy26

when i was out of work a few months back i applied for a few jobs on that scheme.they never even contacted me back even though i was well qualified for job,its the same jobs on the site for ages,stay working with parents if i was you and apply for real jobs.

If I were you I'd make a note of the companies looking for WPP people that you are interested in.

I'd stay working for the folks for the time being (or at least see what happens in the Budget first) and go ahead and contact the companies.

Tell them you've an interest in the WPP program as you would like the experience, but due to having a job you can't avail of the WPP program. Pretty much just tell them that they can have a free part time employee if they wish, in return for experience and a good reference in future (provided everything works out).


This would mean you get the WPP experience on a part-time basis and still keep your job, and they get a free employee without having to go through welfare or FAS.


If you're going to do this though, also feel free to try it with companies not in the WPP. It's beneficial to both parties. Just make sure you tell them that you will stay with them for a defined amount of time (3, 6, 9 months, etc.) so that they can rest assured you won't have them train you in something, and then leave them without ever actually helping them.



I tried this method before with a WPP that was in Drogheda. I was planning ot go back to education to do the leaving cert and explained that to them. Offered to do the job part time until such a time that they found someone more suitable, etc. (pretty much the same as above).


I didn't hear back though, sadly. Hopefully you'll have better luck.

Tigs_

Just to quote im not going to cut the arse off you by the way.. ' hi all, i'm hoping someone can tell me one way or the other if my idea is entirely stupid. basically i'm working for my parents' business at the moment, part time so that i have some income, but the job is providing me with nothing useful in the long term. '

If you are employed in the family business,i think you are better off sticking with that there is no better position to be in than working regardless of whether it is your first choice.Dont listen to bs about how great it is on a FAS scheme it is not.


If i was lets say an employer i would not be one bit impressed with someone walking in off the street saying they just passed a FAS course. :O

The corruption in the FAS courses and having tutours passing peoples exams just to make the numbers up,looks bad..And when you put this on your C.V your fate is sealed..FAS only fund you to certificate level,no freebies for those wanting a degree,the apprenticeship courses are not too bad but most of these courses have got bad press so employers mightnt be so delighted to hear you got 'qualified' in FAS.

Save your pennies if you want to do a good course!

To get on fas (if you are under 35 you get one years entitlement on a ce scheme) you need to be on the dole for six months,from my own experience i will say ,tread carefully fas only pays the wage of your dole,and could even give you a bad record on your C.V.
Remember it is not impossible to get fired from a FAS job,if you walk out on a FAS job(if you qualify for the dole eg **** poor) you could have to explain yourself to social welfare and they could be punished on your dole.

Your best bet from where you are is to .. Stay in your job you are lucky to have one!