Right, just printed this off in the scummiest internet cafe in the whole entire world. Going to drop it off at the Job Centre now. Wish me luck!
Dear Sir/Madame,
I
hope you find the following relevant. It is my account of why I think I
am not suitable for the Launchpad course and following work experience.
Please bear in mind I have only been ‘officially’ seeking work for the last six months.
In
the last 7 years I have done various placements and personal projects
to improve my chances of finding work, including applying for an MA (for
which my funding unfortunately fell through), writing and having a book
published and volunteering in a primary school for six months.
When
my daughter started school full-time I approached the Arts and
Literature Collective ‘Mercy’ with a view to interning for them. They
took me on and during my time with them I managed a team of interns, put
on a successful exhibition in Liverpool, did research and promotion and
helped to publish a book of art and poetry. I would like to pursue this
kind of work and now have excellent references and an up to date CV to
assist me.
Primarily
however, I have been training as a Horticultural Assistant. I undertook
an evening course ‘Introduction to Gardening’ in 2011 which I paid for
myself. I also did the first part of a Permaculture course which is a
recognised qualification.
In
2012 I did a City and Guilds Level 1: Certificate in Gardening which I
successfully completed. I went on to find and take part in a ‘Striding
Out’ course on how to start your own business with a view to perhaps
starting my own gardening business while also continuing with my
creative work. I have included a copy of the certificate I gained.
In
June this year I enrolled onto the City and Guilds Level 2: Certificate
in Gardening which I was due to start in September. I was also
volunteering at the nursery where I did my course. It was around this
time that I was told I would have to take part in the Launchpad course. I
was told by my job advisor that I would not be able to do the second
part of my gardening course as Launchpad is mandatory. This would also
mean giving up my volunteering.
I
have since spoken to my advisor and her manager about the course being
mandatory and they have confirmed that this is the case.
Subsequently
I did not start the City and Guilds Level 2. Not to be deterred I asked
at the plant nursery if I could do a work placement there, which they
agreed to, but was told by my advisor that I do not have a choice where I
do my 4 weeks work experience. This doesn’t make sense to me as I do
not want to work in retail.
I
went along to the first day of the Launchpad course and explained my
situation- that I felt I was already making credible steps towards
employment. Even A4E said they didn’t think I was suitable for the
course. I was told they had a different programme that would be more
suitable for me which I agreed to take part in for 6 hours a week as I
think it would be beneficial for me.
Launchpad’s ‘Module objective’ is the following-
‘To
progressively develop ability and confidence in managing personal
circumstances, overcoming barriers and developing skills, such that
participants are better equipped to make realistic decisions about
returning to the labour market’.
I
really feel that I have been making realistic decisions. I believe that
to do a course on how to motivate myself when I am already
enthusiastically trying to do what I want to do does not make sense. I
am currently looking for somewhere to start my City and Guilds Level 2
in January.
I’d
like to make it clear that since being on JSA I have been actively
seeking work and have applied for many jobs- obviously I am prepared to
work part-time while I continue training. One position I applied for
recently had received over 200 applications. However, this will not stop
me from getting a job as I am positive and resourceful.
One
of the last paid work positions I did was as an HR assistant, screening
CVs and application forms. I know how to write a convincing
application. I feel within the next two months I will have a job. But I
cannot do this if I am working in Poundland or similar getting
experience in a field I have no interest in and that will ultimately
only look incongruous on my CV.
I'm
a single mum who wants to balance working towards the good of society
and the people around me with bringing up a healthy and happy daughter. I
believe I can do both and the best way to go about that is to pursue a
meaningful career in subjects that I am becoming proficient in.
I
hope you can take the above into consideration. I am not, perhaps the
typical benefits claimant (if such a thing exists), and being
pigeonholed is extremely frustrating. Being treated as if I am trying to
get out of working even while producing evidence to the contrary has
really affected my morale. I feel I have done nothing but try to help
myself yet I now face losing my benefits which seems somewhat upside
down. I have included some references.
Thanks for your time
Monday, 10 December 2012
Monday, 3 December 2012
Today I had to go in to discuss the situation with my advisor and her boss. It was alright, I have been told I can do the 6 hour a week course but that I have to fill out a 'Skills Conditionality' form which will go off to Scotland to be assessed. If they think my reasons for not doing the course aren't good enough then I will lose my benefits.
My advisor basically lied and said I hadn't told her I wanted to do the gardening course. She also said I'd never mentioned that I'd like to be self-employed, which is also a lie. I spoke about all the things I've been doing to improve my situation- but unpaid work doesn't count as 'work' in terms of how confident or job ready I might be, which seems a bit strange as I have been constantly challenging myself since being 'unemployed'. The stigma surrounding people out of work is not doing me any favours at all.
I didn't mention the appalling DWP figures- that only 3.5% of those doing the Work Programme have actually found work, but I will put that on the form, along with references from my non-employers etc- I am going to do a KILLER statement.
After her boss had gone my advisor was unnaturally nice to me, much nicer than she's been for ages- perhaps she's realised that I have my eye on all this. I asked her what has happened to other people that have refused to go on Launchpad and she said that I am the first person to refuse. It makes me a bit sad really- more people should stick up for themselves. The threat of sanctions stops people from voicing their concerns and forces them into unpaid work, without any choice at all.
I have been reading about A4E, the company that provides the courses and they come across as shockingly bad- the allegations of systemic fraud and poor performance are rife, which basically just reaffirms my belief that I'm better off looking for work myself- without having to put up with motivational bullshit and box ticking and all the other demoralising and patronising things I hate about these courses.
Meanwhile, new graffiti has sprung up near to where I go to the Job Centre. A bit dramatic maybe? When you look at what ATOS are doing then maybe not so much.
My advisor basically lied and said I hadn't told her I wanted to do the gardening course. She also said I'd never mentioned that I'd like to be self-employed, which is also a lie. I spoke about all the things I've been doing to improve my situation- but unpaid work doesn't count as 'work' in terms of how confident or job ready I might be, which seems a bit strange as I have been constantly challenging myself since being 'unemployed'. The stigma surrounding people out of work is not doing me any favours at all.
I didn't mention the appalling DWP figures- that only 3.5% of those doing the Work Programme have actually found work, but I will put that on the form, along with references from my non-employers etc- I am going to do a KILLER statement.
After her boss had gone my advisor was unnaturally nice to me, much nicer than she's been for ages- perhaps she's realised that I have my eye on all this. I asked her what has happened to other people that have refused to go on Launchpad and she said that I am the first person to refuse. It makes me a bit sad really- more people should stick up for themselves. The threat of sanctions stops people from voicing their concerns and forces them into unpaid work, without any choice at all.
I have been reading about A4E, the company that provides the courses and they come across as shockingly bad- the allegations of systemic fraud and poor performance are rife, which basically just reaffirms my belief that I'm better off looking for work myself- without having to put up with motivational bullshit and box ticking and all the other demoralising and patronising things I hate about these courses.
Meanwhile, new graffiti has sprung up near to where I go to the Job Centre. A bit dramatic maybe? When you look at what ATOS are doing then maybe not so much.
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