FAS Clueless!!

saoirsebui

Is anyone on boards.ie super informed about FAS?

I'm on JSA and registering with FAS.

I'm wondering if you get a FAS placement fulltime. It says 'this is a work placement programme and does not offer a salary."

Does that mean you don't get paid?! It's pretty crazy for a 35-40 hour week?!

Also, if I'm interested in a fas course but it's not available in my town/area can I move to another town and do it?

Cheers

leeroybrown

You should be allowed to retain the equivalent of your Jobseeker's Allowance/Benefit for the duration of the placement.

saoirsebui

Any one have more info?

Oh_Noes

saoirsebui wrote: »

I'm wondering if you get a FAS placement fulltime. It says 'this is a work placement programme and does not offer a salary."

Does that mean you don't get paid?! It's pretty crazy for a 35-40 hour week?!

Yes, it's the same as voluntary work except you aren't working for a charity or some greater good. You're providing free labour to an employer who's pocketing the cash and laughing all the way to the bank. No you don't need glasses, FAS are actually advertising this exploitation.

RE: moving to another town. I did this with VTOS before, the course I wanted was in a diffeent place so I moved to do it. It was a lot of work finding somewhere to live and getting everything sorted but if the course is worthwhile then it's worth the effort.

JoePie

I was waiting to get into the FAS work placement scheme after I made the switch from JSB to JSA, but I managed to get full-time work first.

The story is, you'll work in a placement as you would in any other job. You get to keep your state benefits and you might get a little kickback from the employer at their discretion. It's good for them as they get tax breaks, and it's good for you as it gets you back into the workforce, gets graduates some experience, etc. So while you continue to look for proper full-time employment, you can get new skills, experience, etc, and it'll look better to a prospective employer if you're actively working, even if it is only a work scheme placement.

You could move to a new area. You'll most likely have to re-register with the local FAS office there before you can take up a placement in that area though. Not too sure on that one. I'd recommend trying to get a placement close to wherever you're living at the time though, as you'll save money on transport.

mattjack

Have a look a "the wheel" online...it,ll show you a wide variety of courses available online in differant areas...if you are registered with FAS apply for a CE scheme... you will then be provided with an allowance to do a course and get small payment as well.From my own point of view I,m very pleased with with FAS, after completing a short course I,m now being funded to return to education.
I understand your feelings about the work experience , but Fas like any agency is short money nowadays...

confuseddotcom

What's "The Wheel?!"