FÁS Work Placements...

Rainbow_Bright

As someone who has been out of work for a while, I'm finding it quite frustrating that the majority of posts that would have previously been jobs are now under the Work Placement Programme by FÁS.

I'd love to get back to work, even on an internship or placement but I find it quite insulting that qualified people like myself cannot find a real job anymore and are being asked to work 39 hour weeks for up to 9 months for very little money.

It's great if you find the right placement to gain experience but I can't help but feel that some of these companies are taking advantage, expecting qualified workers to work for nothing.

Am I alone in feeling this way?

Thanks

doolox

These WPP's are modern day slavery. How can anyone be expected to work a full 39 hr week for the dole??

How can anyone be expected to pay for transport, lunches, "corporate clothing" etc. on money that won't even keep all the bills paid for someone at home doing nothing?

Companies are obviously relying on the support of partners, parents and other relations of the people on WPP to finance this hare brained scheme.

The new scheme which pays €50 more than the dole is better in that at least allowance is made for the extra cost of getting to work.

I would advise people on those schemes to maximise the learning aspects of their time and not do repetitive work or the same tasks too often. It would be adviseable to keep a detailed diary and note down what has been learned and achieved and not be drawn into doing the same thing again to "help the company out", let them get hired help for that. In no way should a person be put in the way of signing off an any project or anything that may have legal consequences later, you are not being paid for that.

In the greater scheme of things 9 months is not a long time but is a bind when you have to look to relations and family for money to live while you "help a company out". Maximise your networking opportunities while in your assignment.

Magnet

As I understand it these WPP schemes are for people to learn new skills not for people to pay mortgages and rear families on?!?!
If you`re qualified at something why would you want to take on TRAINEE wages?
Trainee wages are exactly that, did you really expect any company to take you on on the same wages as someone already qualified and experienced?

doolox

WPP is making it harder for older less qualified workers to transition into new sectors of the economy when they face competing with young entry level workers many of who are prepared to work for nothing to get a toehold on the jobs ladder and a slim chance of getting a paying job.

It is impossible for many workers to attend work for no wages and it also would be impossible for many WPP entrants to do so without the support of working partners, parents or other family members or savings on which to live on for a limited time.

When this goodwill and resource runs out the government and employers will have to revert to the conventional jobs market for their labour.

Hopefully people will not forget the shabby treatment received during these hard times and will command the highest wages the market will bear.

and

Oranage2

''WWP is like totally unfair - People who go to college and have like propper degrees should be paid like 35 grand. I deserve the same like wages as somebdy with more experience than me!''

Typical attitude of the tiger pups!

Also there are one or 2 joke jobs on jobbridge but there's also so many offering work placements in fields were its almost impossible to get experience at the moment!

So the agruement of cant get a job cause no experience and not enough experience so cant get a job - Well now you can get experience so either get yourself a winning attitude or keep that loser attitude and remain a loser!!!

Oranage2

Oranage2 wrote: »

Typical attitude of the tiger pups!

People who dont want to provide free labour makes them "tiger pups" that you imply are spoiled?

Lux23

I have three years experience in my field along with my pieces of paper so I do believe I deserve to be paid for the work I do.

Does anyone know the rules on what work they can ask you to do?

The organisation I work with have strong links with another and I am currently doing work for that other one because their Manager is out sick and is unlikely to return. I have requested that my expenses are paid and they have refused so I am trying to use this as leverage.

colin469

If the company offering the placement want to reimburse the candidate for expenses incurred in carrying out their duties i.e. say expenses of five or six hundred euro a month (The position involves sales and travelling) then will this reimbursement affect the candidates social welfare payment.

Lux23

Lux23 wrote: »

I have three years experience in my field along with my pieces of paper so I do believe I deserve to be paid for the work I do.

Does anyone know the rules on what work they can ask you to do?

The organisation I work with have strong links with another and I am currently doing work for that other one because their Manager is out sick and is unlikely to return. I have requested that my expenses are paid and they have refused so I am trying to use this as leverage.

the beauty of the scheme is that there are no rules, a few guidelines that cover very little

catch me if you can

work placement schemes are making it impossible for people to even move jobs.
for someone who has a job (lucky i know) and wants to move to differnt county or for whatever reason they want to start with a new compnay etc.
there are no real jobs out there. its all work placement schemes. its so depressing.
worst ones i see are the ridiculous general office work placement scheme or warehouse scheme. its all a racket. they have no intention of hiring people at the end of the contract. they want slave labour.

starlit

catch me if you can wrote: »

work placement schemes are making it impossible for people to even move jobs.
they have no intention of hiring people at the end of the contract. they want slave labour.

That is very true. I can be hard to move jobs or change to another employer afterwards sometimes. It is very much the case, they generally don't intend to hire anyone full time after the placement. They will hire someone else for free and keep doing that for free labour. They think its a win win but its more one sided. Regardless they have no loyalties towards those they hire for these placements and they just move on and hire someone else for free.

antrophe

Hi - I'm looking to talk to people that have/or are working on these work placements for some research I am doing. Has anyone on this thread worked on one directly?