CE scheme over 25s only, why???

bladespin

Just spent the day consoling my OH because she just found out she's supposedly disqualified from applying to any FAS jobs on the CE scheme purely because she's under 25, surely this can't be right, she's fully qualified according to FAS themselves (Fetac level 5 childcare), has all relevant experience, garda clearance, first aid etc but the age.

I was under the false impression these schemes were supposed to help those seeking employment not bar them from it, can anyone advise what to do? It's the job is perfect for her, qualified, local etc.

Mrs OBumble

CE schemes are aimed at people who are disadvantaged in finding jobs. As a general rule, older people are more disadvantaged than younger ones. The rule is in place to stop people fresh out of school/college filling all the places, and leaving none for older people.

Also, remember, what's being offered here is not a "job", it's a chance to participate in an employment scheme, whilst retaining your benefit (and being allowed to work additional hours elsewhere without the benefit being affected).

Yes, I know it's annoying when there are so few jobs around. But the rules were set at a time of far lower unemployment.

Assuming that she's not gettign jobs because she hasn't got experience - has she tried approaching other local childcare employers, and seeing if she can get onto Jobbridge with them?

bladespin

She is fully experienced, there's no issue there, it's the discrimination I have a problem with, surely that has to be illegal, if it was limited to those under 50 there'd be a national outcry :rolleyes:

ourtrail

Bladespin would she not try one of the Job Bridge internships?

Mrs OBumble

If she's fully experienced, then why's she bothering with the schemes at all? CE and JobBridge are just two different programmes that are meant to help people experience to get it, and get them "job ready".

It's quite legal for the government to target disadvantaged groups, like older people.

bladespin

ourtrail wrote: »

Bladespin would she not try one of the Job Bridge internships?

Anywhere we can find out more about this?

Mary, she's applying for anything in that field that FAS advertise on their website, it's very frustrating when all there seems to be out there are internships and the CE placements.

Fas are utterly useless at explaining anything, she went in to the local office to apply, was told about the discriminating criteria and then ignored, some service that.

Would it be ok for my company to target those under forty so?

Mrs OBumble

bladespin wrote: »

Would it be ok for my company to target those under forty so?

If you're offering a public-service programme that specifically addresses some area of disadvantage that affects people under 40, then yes. Good luck with dreaming up the disadvantage, and the research to prove it.

Tell her to stop wasting her time at at FAS. She needs a job, not a programme.

Start networking with local childcare services. Drop CVs into them all herself, talk to the managers and impress them what a good worker she would be. See if they have panels of relievers that they use, and get listed. Ditto contact the local childcare committee (hopefully by getting introduced as friend of a friend) and she what she can find out about services in the area. Etc.

bladespin

JustMary wrote: »

If you're offering a public-service programme that specifically addresses some area of disadvantage that affects people under 40, then yes. Good luck with dreaming up the disadvantage, and the research to prove it.

Tell her to stop wasting her time at at FAS. She needs a job, not a programme.

Start networking with local childcare services. Drop CVs into them all herself, talk to the managers and impress them what a good worker she would be. See if they have panels of relievers that they use, and get listed. Ditto contact the local childcare committee (hopefully by getting introduced as friend of a friend) and she what she can find out about services in the area. Etc.

Please, I'm not trying to start a research program, I was just under the false impression that Fas was there to help the unemployed find jobs, not just waste time with worthless programes, she's been offered plenty of worthless courses in fields that have nothing to do with her experience or interest, are they only there to keep people on courses???

Also, just remembering some media recently about the highest rates of unemployment being in the young (no idea where I read it though) surely they should change this?

We've been to every creche and facility within a 20 mile radius and jobs just aren't to be found, she's still at it though but it's very annoying that everytime a job in this area appears it's at CE rates and she's basically locked out for no good reason.

Finally (apologies but you're as close to an expert as we'll get considering the ignorance of our local office) why do Fas advertise these schemes as jobs?

skelliser

There is no age restriction on CE schemes for members of the travelling community.

bladespin

skelliser wrote: »

There is no age restriction on CE schemes for members of the travelling community.

They could be described as disadvantaged though.

skelliser

bladespin wrote: »

They could be described as disadvantaged though.

maybe.

But i agree with you. In this current climate the restriction should be removed so that your OH can work and provide a service to the local community

starlit

I did not know you had to be a certain age to get into a CE, I knew you had to be unemployed and getting benefits for at least 12 months to avail of it.

Tigger

JustMary wrote: »

CE schemes are aimed at people who are disadvantaged in finding jobs. As a general rule, older people are more disadvantaged than younger ones. The rule is in place to stop people fresh out of school/college filling all the places, and leaving none for older people.

Also, remember, what's being offered here is not a "job", it's a chance to participate in an employment scheme, whilst retaining your benefit (and being allowed to work additional hours elsewhere without the benefit being affected).

Yes, I know it's annoying when there are so few jobs around. But the rules were set at a time of far lower unemployment.

Assuming that she's not gettign jobs because she hasn't got experience - has she tried approaching other local childcare employers, and seeing if she can get onto Jobbridge with them?

much higher % of under 25s than over 25s are unemployed and the high under 25 emmigration rate should also be taken into account