Job Club

clau22

Hi just wondering has anyone availed of the Job Club service? I have to meet an officer from Social Welfare Friday, I'd say it's kind of an assessment and depending how that goes I may get to avail of Job Club. Anyone have any ideas as to what this meeting will be about, would I need to bring a copy of my CV, cover letter etc.?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Claudia

blindsider

Yep - you'll need CV's etc for the Job Club, and I'd bring a CV on Friday too. I believe that many Job clubs are busy at the mo - surprise! - so you might be waiting.

The SW person may try to steer you towards a SOLAS FETAC course - be careful about agreeing to do a course - you should be genuinely interested in the area. If you agree to take a course and then drop out, your benefits can be suspended for 6+ weeks.

If you appear keen to get a job, and can prove this - any interviews coming up? - SW may not be too interested in you.....

clau22

Hi,
Thank you so much for all your help. As it turns out I have an interview on Monday! I'll bring CV, cover letter and proof of interview. I'd say tomorrow is a preliminary chat and then they'll try slot me in for Job Club!

Mrs Garth Brooks

Is there anything I can do?

Thought you're must be genuinely interested in a course?

Im being forced into a course. I had no say at all.

What do I do? Galway is useless with courses. There's an evening course im interested in but its in september. Not my fault, is it?

I had proof I was looking for work. I contacted employers asking for internship but nothing going.

She wasnt having any of it.

Now im being forced onto a course.

Would speaking to another employment officer help.

Help

blindsider

How long have you been out of work?

Is this course anyway relevant to you and your search for work? Would it be useful in any way? E.g. a secretarial course is a really great course to have - even if you want to be an astronaut. (Extreme e.g. I know!)

If you're interested in childcare and they're sending you to do a course in construction, that's pointless, otherwise you may need to consider it.

How long is the course? Might it lead to some type of employment? You may need to agree to doing some type of course - what might you do?

You may not get a place on the night-course - they can be busy.

If all else fails, you should tell them (Placement person) that you'll try the course 'under protest' - give it a go for a week and then decide if you're going to stay or not.

Leaving a course may interrupt you SW payment - it's a bit bureaucratic etc so the transfer of payment from Training allowance to SW allowance can take a week or 2.

Mrs Garth Brooks

I really felt under pressure today. She was signing me up anyway. I hadn't a choice.

Its basically a basics computer course, dressed up as IT and employability skills. Word processing, internet skills, library researching skills. Very basic stuff. Which I know already. Its a level 3. I've got a level 6. It would be soul destroying for 11 months.

I had a few different courses in mind and she wasnt having any of it. Maybe because I dont start asap. Or because galway is useless with courses and it doesnt have them going.

Does it have to be a full-time course.

I found another course in dublin. I would be very interested in it and willing to travel. And its once a week.

What else am I meant to do.

Mrs Garth Brooks

What happens if do leave the course or don't take it up. I dont want to be forced to do something I dont like or wont benefit me in any way.

Mrs Garth Brooks

I found a course that I would like to do. Went into the training provider and got loads of information and leaflets on the course. Its run privately but social welfare do pay.

Went into the fas office to tell them this is the course I wanted to do. And the lady still wasnt having it. She wants me on some crap course. Anyway she went on to say that because its run privately, and costs money that I would have to have a job offer before they would pay for it.

Does anyone know if this is true.

clau22

How does that even make sense, have a job offer from whom?? You've picked something YOU want to do so I don't see how that's a problem for SW officer!! Can you try make an appointment with someone other than her? She doesn't seem to interested in what you wanna do more what suits them!

blindsider

HardLuckWoman wrote: »

I really felt under pressure today. She was signing me up anyway. I hadn't a choice.

Its basically a basics computer course, dressed up as IT and employability skills. Word processing, internet skills, library researching skills. Very basic stuff. Which I know already. Its a level 3. I've got a level 6. It would be soul destroying for 11 months.

I had a few different courses in mind and she wasnt having any of it. Maybe because I dont start asap. Or because galway is useless with courses and it doesnt have them going.

Does it have to be a full-time course.

I found another course in dublin. I would be very interested in it and willing to travel. And its once a week.

What else am I meant to do.

How are you PC skills?

What's the Level 6 qualification?

There used to be a training allowance (annual) so you may be eligible for that? 1 day a week in Dublin doesn't sound like much of a course TBH - is it likely to lead to a job?

As Clau22 suggested, try to get an appt with someone else, or tell the SW officer that you're going to appeal her decision - it might work.

Also, you really need to be able to demonstrate that you are doing EVERYTHING possible to get a job - if not, you'll probably have to take a course locally.

Mrs Garth Brooks

blindsider wrote: »

How are you PC skills?

What's the Level 6 qualification?

There used to be a training allowance (annual) so you may be eligible for that? 1 day a week in Dublin doesn't sound like much of a course TBH - is it likely to lead to a job?

As Clau22 suggested, try to get an appt with someone else, or tell the SW officer that you're going to appeal her decision - it might work.

Also, you really need to be able to demonstrate that you are doing EVERYTHING possible to get a job - if not, you'll probably have to take a course locally.

My pc skills are fine. I know microsoft word, access, excel, powerpoint.

Module on internet skills and library research. Im really not that stupid.

Its a course for the sake of doing something and thats it. Its a mickey mouse course for people who have never seen a computer. It might help other people but it would be a waste of my time. Its taking a step backwards.

Would prefer course that would challenge me and that I would learn something besides how to use a floppy disc!

MouseTail

HardLuckWoman wrote: »

I really felt under pressure today. She was signing me up anyway. I hadn't a choice.

Its basically a basics computer course, dressed up as IT and employability skills. Word processing, internet skills, library researching skills. Very basic stuff. Which I know already. Its a level 3. I've got a level 6. It would be soul destroying for 11 months.

I had a few different courses in mind and she wasnt having any of it. Maybe because I dont start asap. Or because galway is useless with courses and it doesnt have them going.

Does it have to be a full-time course.

I found another course in dublin. I would be very interested in it and willing to travel. And its once a week.

What else am I meant to do.

September is a long way away, you will need to prove you are seeking work, interships or training before then. Have you had a look yourself on skillsnet, FAS or Springboard?
I'm not sure what your skillset is, but if you have a level 6 IT qualification, there are a few decent courses in Galway starting soon.

ICT Conversion
Software Testing
MOS course

Mrs Garth Brooks

I have an interview next week and I hope to god I get it cause I never want to deal with the dirty, rotten bullies thats in that fas office.

clau22

Best of luck! I know what you mean, better away from them!