To Jobbridge or not to Jobbridge

lila44

So basically, I've been offered a jobbridge postion recently. This is after many months of trying a failing to get a fully-paid job and having to eventually swallow my pride and apply for jobbridge positions...

But I've worked out that I will actually be down quite a bit of money if I take the job versus not taking the job, between transport to and from work, lunches etc, and buying "office clothes"....

But on the other hand it will get me out of the house, cos god knows I'm going mental.

Just interested to hear any viewpoints, has anyone been in the same position?

SnitchingBubs

I did a job-bridges internship for 6 months last year. And when a company decides to have some come in on the scheme they have a choice of doing it for 6 months or 9 months. The company I was in decided 6 months, and everything went fine.
A few weeks before the end, the boss tells me they'd like to keep me on for the additional 3 months,so that would be 9 months altogether. So he has me ring Fas, to see if this is allowed. Unfortunately it is not allowed. They say I signed the contract for 6 months and there was no changing it. A bit strict and mean I thought, but that's their rules, nothing I can do to change them.
Nonetheless, in the last few weeks of my job, both my boss and I ring fas to see if there's anyway they will budge on this. The last unsuccessful call I made was the Thursday of the week I finished.
So I finish my job that Friday. The next Monday my boss calls me in and tells me Fas are after changing their mind and now are allowing people on the 6 months scheme to extend it if they wish. So im thinking,happy days, another 3 months of work.
Except when we contact FAS they tell me im not eligible for an extension. The extension is only for people currently on the JobsBridge scheme, and I do not qualify because I finished last Friday.
I was beyond angry, considering the amount of phone calls and emails we had sent to get my scheme extended, including a call the Thursday before they allowed extension on the Monday. And they wouldn't budge, no way was I allowed. You'd think in a country with the amount of unemployed they would go out of their way to try and get people a job.
What really grinds my gears is the people I was talking to the Thursday, how could they not know that this policy change was coming in, surely they had been told. And then to have no give whatsoever, anyone hearing this can see I was very hard done by.

Sorry that doesn't really answer you're question but I feel its important to know the people you will be dealing with. I hope you get along well if you choose to take it. It did open doors for me, but I was not kept on at the end as the company could not afford it then, hopefully your experience will be better.

weisses

SnitchingBubs wrote: »

I did a job-bridges internship for 6 months last year. And when a company decides to have some come in on the scheme they have a choice of doing it for 6 months or 9 months. The company I was in decided 6 months, and everything went fine.
A few weeks before the end, the boss tells me they'd like to keep me on for the additional 3 months,so that would be 9 months altogether. So he has me ring Fas, to see if this is allowed. Unfortunately it is not allowed. They say I signed the contract for 6 months and there was no changing it. A bit strict and mean I thought, but that's their rules, nothing I can do to change them.
Nonetheless, in the last few weeks of my job, both my boss and I ring fas to see if there's anyway they will budge on this. The last unsuccessful call I made was the Thursday of the week I finished.
So I finish my job that Friday. The next Monday my boss calls me in and tells me Fas are after changing their mind and now are allowing people on the 6 months scheme to extend it if they wish. So im thinking,happy days, another 3 months of work.
Except when we contact FAS they tell me im not eligible for an extension. The extension is only for people currently on the JobsBridge scheme, and I do not qualify because I finished last Friday.
I was beyond angry, considering the amount of phone calls and emails we had sent to get my scheme extended, including a call the Thursday before they allowed extension on the Monday. And they wouldn't budge, no way was I allowed. You'd think in a country with the amount of unemployed they would go out of their way to try and get people a job.
What really grinds my gears is the people I was talking to the Thursday, how could they not know that this policy change was coming in, surely they had been told. And then to have no give whatsoever, anyone hearing this can see I was very hard done by.

Sorry that doesn't really answer you're question but I feel its important to know the people you will be dealing with. I hope you get along well if you choose to take it. It did open doors for me, but I was not kept on at the end as the company could not afford it then, hopefully your experience will be better.

If your boss was so keen in keeping you he should have offered you a proper contract after the 6 months .... Just my two cents

road_high

SnitchingBubs wrote: »

I did a job-bridges internship for 6 months last year. And when a company decides to have some come in on the scheme they have a choice of doing it for 6 months or 9 months. The company I was in decided 6 months, and everything went fine.
A few weeks before the end, the boss tells me they'd like to keep me on for the additional 3 months,so that would be 9 months altogether. So he has me ring Fas, to see if this is allowed. Unfortunately it is not allowed. They say I signed the contract for 6 months and there was no changing it. A bit strict and mean I thought, but that's their rules, nothing I can do to change them.
Nonetheless, in the last few weeks of my job, both my boss and I ring fas to see if there's anyway they will budge on this. The last unsuccessful call I made was the Thursday of the week I finished.
So I finish my job that Friday. The next Monday my boss calls me in and tells me Fas are after changing their mind and now are allowing people on the 6 months scheme to extend it if they wish. So im thinking,happy days, another 3 months of work.
Except when we contact FAS they tell me im not eligible for an extension. The extension is only for people currently on the JobsBridge scheme, and I do not qualify because I finished last Friday.
I was beyond angry, considering the amount of phone calls and emails we had sent to get my scheme extended, including a call the Thursday before they allowed extension on the Monday. And they wouldn't budge, no way was I allowed. You'd think in a country with the amount of unemployed they would go out of their way to try and get people a job.
What really grinds my gears is the people I was talking to the Thursday, how could they not know that this policy change was coming in, surely they had been told. And then to have no give whatsoever, anyone hearing this can see I was very hard done by.

Sorry that doesn't really answer you're question but I feel its important to know the people you will be dealing with. I hope you get along well if you choose to take it. It did open doors for me, but I was not kept on at the end as the company could not afford it then, hopefully your experience will be better.

Wouldn't loose sleep over it. Why can't the employer take you on as a full properly paid employee after the state paying for you for 6 months already?? Claims he can't afford it (of course) but yet clearly had enough work to keep you busy. That's what i'd be asking if I were you...not can I work for free for another 3 months.

Extremely likely that your "job" has already now been re-advertised with FAS for the next free slave to come along.
BTW I don't mean any disrespect to you, I really hope you learnt from the experience and can now progress into proper PAID employment.

road_high

lila44 wrote: »

So basically, I've been offered a jobbridge postion recently. This is after many months of trying a failing to get a fully-paid job and having to eventually swallow my pride and apply for jobbridge positions...

But I've worked out that I will actually be down quite a bit of money if I take the job versus not taking the job, between transport to and from work, lunches etc, and buying "office clothes"....

But on the other hand it will get me out of the house, cos god knows I'm going mental.

Just interested to hear any viewpoints, has anyone been in the same position?

It's a tough one. On the one hand there's the positives for your CV. However, if you take one then you will have much less time to look for a proper, real paid job. How have you been doing interview wise? Would also depend on the industry you're in i.e. media everything seems to be Scambridge these days.
Personally I'd look at the hard euros- if it was me and I was going to be down money then it would be a no-brainer not to do it; if you're still set on one, is there any possibility of one closer to home?

SnitchingBubs

weisses wrote: »

If your boss was so keen in keeping you he should have offered you a proper contract after the 6 months .... Just my two cents

It was in a college, and I was in a particular department,it wasn't really my boss' call to keep me or not,it would have come from higher ups. But it was last year and I have progressed to full time employment now, so all's well that ends well

weisses

SnitchingBubs wrote: »

It was in a college, and I was in a particular department,it wasn't really my boss' call to keep me or not,it would have come from higher ups. But it was last year and I have progressed to full time employment now, so all's well that ends well

Good to hear you have a full time job now

April O Neill II

SnitchingBubs wrote: »

I did a job-bridges internship for 6 months last year. And when a company decides to have some come in on the scheme they have a choice of doing it for 6 months or 9 months. The company I was in decided 6 months, and everything went fine.
A few weeks before the end, the boss tells me they'd like to keep me on for the additional 3 months,so that would be 9 months altogether. So he has me ring Fas, to see if this is allowed. Unfortunately it is not allowed. They say I signed the contract for 6 months and there was no changing it. A bit strict and mean I thought, but that's their rules, nothing I can do to change them.
Nonetheless, in the last few weeks of my job, both my boss and I ring fas to see if there's anyway they will budge on this. The last unsuccessful call I made was the Thursday of the week I finished.
So I finish my job that Friday. The next Monday my boss calls me in and tells me Fas are after changing their mind and now are allowing people on the 6 months scheme to extend it if they wish. So im thinking,happy days, another 3 months of work.
Except when we contact FAS they tell me im not eligible for an extension. The extension is only for people currently on the JobsBridge scheme, and I do not qualify because I finished last Friday.
I was beyond angry, considering the amount of phone calls and emails we had sent to get my scheme extended, including a call the Thursday before they allowed extension on the Monday. And they wouldn't budge, no way was I allowed. You'd think in a country with the amount of unemployed they would go out of their way to try and get people a job.
What really grinds my gears is the people I was talking to the Thursday, how could they not know that this policy change was coming in, surely they had been told. And then to have no give whatsoever, anyone hearing this can see I was very hard done by.

Sorry that doesn't really answer you're question but I feel its important to know the people you will be dealing with. I hope you get along well if you choose to take it. It did open doors for me, but I was not kept on at the end as the company could not afford it then, hopefully your experience will be better.

Maybe, instead of going to all that hassle, your "boss" should have just hired you as a paid employee, if he valued having you around that much!

lila44

road_high wrote: »

It's a tough one. On the one hand there's the positives for your CV. However, if you take one then you will have much less time to look for a proper, real paid job. How have you been doing interview wise? Would also depend on the industry you're in i.e. media everything seems to be Scambridge these days.
Personally I'd look at the hard euros- if it was me and I was going to be down money then it would be a no-brainer not to do it; if you're still set on one, is there any possibility of one closer to home?

I'm a marketing graduate, so really I need experience! Been having a few interviews and getting on well, but someone always comes along with more experience.

That's basically the feedback I'm getting from interviews!

I am so against jobbridge, but I feel I'm being backed into a corner here. I just want to be a regular member of society, but I think I don't have a choice now.

I'll go to the interview anyway sure...

Does anyone know if I was to be offered the job and declined it, would my dole be affected?

dearg lady

Do you have any work experience in that particular area? If not I would be inclined to take it. It's crap that you will be down money, but it's short term and hopefully will lead to something better

Mrs OBumble

I think that being signficantly down in money would be seen as a valid reason for turning it down, so your dole wouldn't be affected.

Personally, I'd say take it if you possibly can, but keep job hunting for a real job. Just 'cos the JB contract says X months doesn't mean you have to stay that long - just stay until you get a paying job.

Paulie Gualtieri

I could be wrong but is it not the whole point of jobridge that you work for x amount of months then get offered a job or not. And of course that employer was looking to keep you for another three months. Someone who could do the job , to work another three months. For free's !

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. Or maybe I just read things wrong . I am tired.

April O Neill II

Paulie Gualtieri wrote: »

I could be wrong but is it not the whole point of jobridge that you work for x amount of months then get offered a job or not. And of course that employer was looking to keep you for another three months. Someone who could do the job , to work another three months. For free's !

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. Or maybe I just read things wrong . I am tired.

AFAIK, there's no obligation for the employer to hire you at the end, even if you perform very well.

Paulie Gualtieri

April O Neill II wrote: »

AFAIK, there's no obligation for the employer to hire you at the end, even if you perform very well.

Which is absolutely ridiculous set up as far as I can see , the way it should be is Timmy goes for a jobridge internship in counting how many times a hen clucks in a day. Ok after 2 months Timmy isn't worth a sh1te but the employer keeps him on as its cheap labour . and more hassle to hire someone again.

Ok it gets to the end of the contract and Timmy gets let go and they get someone else.

Should it not be that there is no schedule for somebody to get the job or to be told we don't need / want you.

vector

In years to come we will look back in wonderment at JobBridge, much like the SSIA and it's huge rate of interest, we will say was that real?

JobBridge should pay 300 a week, and of that the employer should pay 100, and the state 200

Burlap_Sack

On jobsbridge myself and although not getting paid would piss you off at the best of times, If you manage to get good experience its worth it.

Only been in my position 3 months and had 2 interviews and another one coming up which although I wouldn't put solely down to jobsbridge it definitely played a part.

Conall Cernach

Burlap_Sack wrote: »

On jobsbridge myself and although not getting paid would piss you off at the best of times, If you manage to get good experience its worth it.

Only been in my position 3 months and had 2 interviews and another one coming up which although I wouldn't put solely down to jobsbridge it definitely played a part.

Can you leave the job bridge job before the contract of 6 or 9 months is up?

pauliebdub

Conall Cernach wrote: »

Can you leave the job bridge job before the contract of 6 or 9 months is up?

Yes of course if you get offered a full time job. Im not sure what the notice arrangement is though.

ruthy_2504

I am currently on a jobbridge placement and have got huge value from it. I was working in a MNC for 7.5 years and made redundant this time last year. I decided redundancy was my chance to do what I wanted, and was lucky enough to pick up a jobbridge placement in my chosen field (accounting). From this I have started studying part time and it looks like I am going to be kept on at the end of my placement.

Yes there are a lot of scammers using it, and plenty of bad stories, but if you're sitting at home going crazy what's the harm in trying? I believe you are entitled to time off for interviews etc, and it is fully acceptable to leave before the end of the placement if leaving for full time employment

Xenji

I would recommend anyone who is thinking of doing one to have a read through this thread or just even the last few pages http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056987239

prince of peasants

I done a job bridge for a week and walked off the job. Would never do it again.

Having the wait on the dole for three months was soul destroying and the worst experience of my life. I actually had to turn down minimum wage jobs just to satisfy the three month unemployment criteria.

It's a total scam. It's dressed up as 'experience' and all that but your pretty much just a free slave underneath it all.

They don't even have the decency to pay you the national minimum wage!!!

It's modern day slavery!!!!

April O Neill II

prince of peasants wrote: »

I done a job bridge for a week and walked off the job. Would never do it again.

Having the wait on the dole for three months was soul destroying and the worst experience of my life. I actually had to turn down minimum wage jobs just to satisfy the three month unemployment criteria.

Why did you turn down paying jobs to get on Jobbridge?

April O Neill II

pauliebdub wrote: »

Yes of course if you get offered a full time job. Im not sure what the notice arrangement is though.

For a non-paying position? Big fat zero. It'd be madness to expect someone to put off paying work for a few weeks to give notice for an internship.

prince of peasants

April O Neill II wrote: »

Why did you turn down paying jobs to get on Jobbridge?

Because I wanted to get 'my foot in the door' as they say which is another ploy used to market job bridge. But in reality when you're living in Dublin city, paying rent, buying lunch, there is no reason to look forward to the weekend as you end up with no money.

Yes I turned down a couple of security positions paying around 400-450 euro a week (which I am doing now).

It's a no brainer really, work as a security guard and make 1600 euro minimum a month or work on jobbridge for 1020 a month for the 'experience'.

April O Neill II

prince of peasants wrote: »

Because I wanted to get 'my foot in the door' as they say which is another ploy used to market job bridge. But in reality when you're living in Dublin city, paying rent, buying lunch, there is no reason to look forward to the weekend as you end up with no money.

Yes I turned down a couple of security positions paying around 400-450 euro a week (which I am doing now).

It's a no brainer really, work as a security guard and make 1600 euro minimum a month or work on jobbridge for 1020 a month for the 'experience'.

I'd only do Jobbridge in lieu of a paying job if I was sure I would actually get valuable experience.

This is what's fecked up about the scheme. People need to stay on the dole, in the hopes of getting an internship in their field. In the past, there would have been entry-level positions available OR shorter internships that would often be part-time to allow the person to do another job.

head_honcho

Sorry for bumping up a relatively old thread but I'm in the same predicament as the OP was and am just wondering if the OP did the JB internship and how's it going? Thanks.

cloudatlas

I think the jobbridge is unethical and a disgrace. Believe me I'm very reluctant to say this but the way the job market is you are between a rock and a hard place and perhaps you should start the jobbridge while you apply for other work and fill the gap in your C.V. In my opinion it's a last resort.