No Experience for Work

I am me123

I'm currently finding it extremely difficult to find work.

This month alone, I have had so many rejections from jobs that I am well qualified to do.

My only downfall is my lack of hands on experience. I am currently on a C.E scheme. I can honestly say that over these past 3 or so years on this scheme, I have learned very little new skills in the placement. Most skills, basic typing, use of Word, Excel, I would already have used during my time in college.

I am supposed to be doing 19.5 hours a week on the scheme, and truth be told, I have never had more than 8 hours a week of work. Most days I am told there is no work for me to do. I have taken up a number of temp jobs to compensate for my lack of experience gained in the scheme.

Getting permanent work is next to impossible. I am always told I have not enough experience, and rejected. I have no way of truly getting experience.

I am considering approaching some offices offering to work voluntarily to gain hands on experience. I don't know how much luck I will have with this idea.

Is this advisable?

Thank you.

Mrs OBumble

Have you ever had anything to do with the National Learning Network?

I am me123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119091678#Comment_119091678

No.

Hurdig

Where are you based?

Padre_Pio

What are your qualifications and where would you like to work?

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119093980#Comment_119093980

You might like to look them up. They're a specialist training provider, who work with people on an individual basis. They can access if the issue really is lack of experience, or if you need additional help to make the best of the opportunities you get.

mrslancaster

Enquire about the WPEP scheme at your local intreo office. Info here: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/unemployment_and_redundancy/employment_support_schemes/work_placement_experience_programme.html

I am me123

I originally qualified up to honours degree level in child care and management.

I then changed career, completing a Level 3 in Spreadsheets, and have completed a Level 5 in Reception & Office Skills.

I am looking into getting either Receptionist or general Admin work.

I am me123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119095882#Comment_119095882

Thanks is this a similar programme to Job Bridge? Are there many placement openings advertised?

Pawwed Rig

What is a CE scheme and why have you been on it for 3 years?

Our place is crying out for administrators etc. Would have thought it was easy enough to get a job. Are you in Dublin?

mrslancaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119099813#Comment_119099813

It started june or july last year. These links are for the type of roles you mentioned, will give you an idea. One is based in leitrim and the other in edenderry so check out possibilities in your own area.

https://jobsireland.ie/en-US/job-Details?id=2225932

https://jobsireland.ie/en-US/job-Details?id=2225482

Best of luck..

Purple Mountain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119099831#Comment_119099831

CE scheme is Community Employment, previously known as a FAS scheme.

I thought they did away with 3 year schemes and only allowed people to do 1 now.

I am me123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119100239#Comment_119100239

What is the CE scheme?

The Community Employment (CE) programme (more commonly known as the ‘CE Scheme’) is designed to help people who are long-term unemployed (or otherwise disadvantaged) to get back to work by offering part-time and temporary placements in jobs based within local communities.

How long can I stay on the CE scheme?

If you are aged between 21 and 55 years, your CE placement generally lasts for one year. However, if you are working towards a major education award, your CE placement can be extended by up to 2 years to complete this award. You won’t get an extension beyond 3 years (or 4 years for people on a disability-linked social welfare payment).

See above.

Since beginning my placement in late 2019, it was firstly put on hold due to the pandemic, and also, I have been able to secure separate temporary contracts which I also completed during this time.

I'm trying to build up my experience in a new field in order to get work.

Beckett99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058246713/no-experience-for-work

How are you getting along? I'm in the same boat as you. Not doing a CE scheme but can't find work.

I am me123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119149022#Comment_119149022

Hi there Beckett99.

Finding the job hunting so tough and competitive at the moment.

Scrolling through my applied for jobs on Indeed.ie, and seeing things like 60 applicants, 100 applicants for jobs I've applied to, just feel like giving up.

How is anyone supposed to find work being up agains't odds like that?

All the interviews I have been to, all the preparations for them, think I've done a great interview, then a rejection letter arrives. Story of my life.

As regards courses & training, I have done every course available. Even have two stints of temping work on my cv. Still no luck finding work.

Don't know what to do. Are there many others in the same boat?

Beckett99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119150459#Comment_119150459

Same. It can be so discouraging. I've good work experience and education but I'm not qualified for the bulk of jobs advertised in my rural area for example trades. Some people here get jobs that aren't advertised. A Social Welfare officer said there's not a lot on offer. Was considering retraining at college. Suppose all we can do is keep trying 😏

growleaves

For a generic admin job ask a recruitment agencies to place you somewhere as a temp.

Commoner

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058246713/no-experience-for-work

I would not work for free because many of these companies pay so little corporation tax in Ireland and it's a case of them wanting their cake and eating it. If you have no experience, why not say that you were self-employed for a while? These companies are very sticky because Varadkar made it easy for them to bring cheap non-EU workers here in 2019. Before that, they would have had to hire Irish/EU workers.

Pawwed Rig

I posted earlier that my company was crying out for administrators. Would have expected some follow up fron the OP if they were serious about finding work. Where are you all based?