Group Engagement Session(National Employment Action Plan)

fhi

Hi Folks,
I received a letter from Social Welfare Local Office telling me that I am to attend a "group engagement session".I have 2 concerns:-
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Concern 1 (and most important to me):
I live in a parochial area where everyone seems to know everyone else's business bit like eastenders. I have managed to keep my unemployed status under wraps. I am really worried that when I attend this session my cover will be blown should there be someone on the course that knows me. Yes, I know it's nothing to be ashamed of but thats just me. Does anyone have any info about the demographic of the people that attend? Is it all and sundry? Perhaps people that have been unemployed for a certain amount of time? A particularly age group? Also, is it possible to request that I attend at another location (town). That would fix the problem for me.
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Concern 2
Just to find out more about it, what's involved etc. etc. I have searched on "group engagement session" and read up on what has been said previously on this site but just thought to make a fresh posting in case anything new is thrown up.
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When I phoned sw for help I was spoken to very badly and it left me feeling like a piece of dirt. The person I spoke to would have been better suited to a role in concentration camp such was their manner towards me.
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In closing, I suspect this thread will not return many answers but if anyone does have any comments or advice it will be much apprecited.

Many thanks in advance.

Balagan

Probably not a good idea to ask to attend the meeting in another locality. It is a pretty straightforward business as you will have read in previous threads about it. Bring your CV etc., as they will want to have a look at that on a one to one basis and make suggestions re courses, possible employment etc.
One way to get through these meetings, especially if you are feeling deeply uncomfortable about being exposed etc., is to keep an eye out for someone who also seems ill at ease and do what you can to make his or her experience a bit easier. And remember, hard and all as it is, unemployment is a fact of life for all kinds of people now.


These figures published today re unemployment rates in the eurozone:

Spain 23.6%
Greece 21%
Portugal 15%
Ireland 14.7%
Slovakia 14%
Estonia 11.7%
France 10%
Cyprus 9.7%
Italy 9.3%
Slovenia 8.7%
Finland 7.4%
Belgium 7.2%
Malta 6.8%
Germany 5.7%
Luxembourg 5.2%
Netherlands 4.9%
Austria 4.2%
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/eurozone-unemployment-hits-new-peak-545925.html

fhi

Hi,
Just coming back on this issue, albeit some weeks on. Two reasons:-
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1. To thank balagan for input - THANKS.
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2. To post my comments for anyone coming after me which are based on my own experience. I found both the GES and the one to one follow up meeting with fas to be very poor. The 2 individuals concerned were not in the least bit interested in me, more interested in ticking boxes. At the fas follow up meeting, the person showed no interest in the efforts I had been making to get a job - couldn't give a damn. All she wanted to do was get me on a course. Also they were not at all pleasant or helpful. Why are they all so awful? I have yet to speak to anyone decent. Taking into account this and other recent experiences, the last people in the world I would contact would be social welfare or fas. In my opinion they are there to hurt you not help you. And then on the welfare website they call us "customers". That's a good one!! The way I have been treated is not the way I would want to treat a "customer". I am qualified at what I do, I do not want to be forced to do a course that will be of little or no help. To secure a job I am prepared to commute within a 50 mile radius of where I live. I am also prepared to relocate too, despite having school age children and all that goes along with that. I am making documented efforts to secure a job but seemingly thats not good enough! What a wonderful bunch of people they are!! Anyway, enough said. bye bye

tjcat

Hi FHI,

in same situation myself as have one of these wonderful group sessions next week. how long does it last? also did you have to produce your cv at it or at the next meeting with fas? any help from anyone else also be appreciated as worrying about this. thanks

fhi

hi tjcat,
thanks for your post. inanswer to your questions. mine lasted 1 hour approx. it was a powerpoint presentation. there was between 10 and 15 attendees. Only 1 person said anything. although I was prepared, i did not have to produce my cv nor was i asked for it at the follow upmeeting with fas. I would advise you to prepare as much as possible, bring cvbut only present if asked. For the second meeting, again be prepared, but sayas little as possible without appearing negative (balancing act). The wholeexperience left me shell shocked/fearful and with a low, low opinion of theindividuals and the institutions they represent. "Out to get you" wasthe aura they left me with not "here to help". This is my personal opinion and others may find different. If you have time, dodrop some feedback of your experience for others that come after you.
good luck/best wishes.

kippy

Sorry to hear about your bad experiences lads.
I suppose at the end of the day, if the jobs aren't there, the job's aren't there.
If you are only holding out for a job in your field you'll have to either travel further to get it or start out in a similiar role for less than you are willing to take.

The DSP (which now includes the employment services of FAS that probably did the session) are under huge pressure to either get people jobs (almost impossible) or ensure they are doing their best to get jobs or retrain for another role.

As such the employment services side of things can really only get you some help with your CV and advise you do move into a different career, via retraining or otherwise. Of course this advice isn't always good advice.

People are not, in general, out to get you. They are as frustrated as you that they cannot help you in any major meaningful way. Sometimes they have the resources available to them to help a lot of people, but maybe not necessarily you.

tjcat

Thanks FHI for the info, really helps. you know yourself with anything with DSP always fearful lose money for no reason. will give feedback after the session and meeting with fas.

casio4

did anyone go to the meeting, get sent on a course and then not turn up for the course?

Crazyteacher

I've got called to attend one of these next week. I'm qualified to the maximum and my CV is impeccable . I'm continuously applying for jobs and have records of such. Why not just leave it with a "confidential" meeting with the employment officer who can give individual advise based on my qualifications. This group session only serves two purposes to give work to someone in FAS, to embarrass people out of JSA and to ensure we feel as uncomfortable as possible. Well done to the department of SW and FAS/Solas. Another time wasting event.


Just read the other threads on this. A PowerPoint on FAS courses, that'll really make my day!

fhi

In response to Crazyteacher post.... I pretty much agree with content of that post. Of course there is one option open to you crazyteacher......you could be part of the process which this country has excelled at over the decades ......exporting human capital!! Ireland? Maybe not a 3rd world country, but definately 3rd rate. And to think not so long ago they were begging talent to come back!! It would be laughable if it wasn't so painful!! I desperately regret coming back here. Best wishes.

edwood

Hi fhi I have the group session next week, and am very nervous about it. The thought of the one to one interview also fills me with dread. What are they going to do to me? Did they force you onto a course at the one to one interview? Should I expect the same?

mp22

See here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057151615

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