350 jobless do work experience in Blackburn

7:00pm Thursday 21st March 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Kate Jackson, Reporter

BACK AT WORK Lynne Hargreaves-Walker says work experience helped her get a job BACK AT WORK Lynne Hargreaves-Walker says work experience helped her get a job

A SCHEME to get people back into work by undertaking work experience has had an uptake of 350 people in Blackburn.

The government initiative, which is voluntary and does not affect the benefits that people can claim, offers people the chance to undertake unpaid work experience to improve their CV and skill set. Minister for Employment, Mark Hoban, has praised businesses and charities in the town for helping people into work by taking part in the government initiative.

Figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions show 350 people in the town have taken part in the work experience scheme since January 2011.

Another 120 people in the town have had work experience placements in a specific sector, with added training and a guaranteed job interview.

However the number of people offered jobs from work experience placements were unavailable. Mr Hoban said: “I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to business owners in Blackburn for helping so many young people to get their foot in the door by offering them a work experience placement.

“Helping them to experience the world of work increases their chances of moving into a job. I would also like to appeal to other local businesses who aren’t yet involved in the scheme to get in touch with their local jobcentre and give many more young people like them a chance.

“It can be good for your business too as young people bring with them new ideas and enthusiasm which can help your business to expand and grow.”

‘It enabled me to stand out from the crowd’

ONE of those to benefit from the work experience scheme is 53-year-old Lynne Hargreaves-Walker.

Despite having many years’ experience in project management, Lynne found herself unemployed and had numerous job applications rejected because of the competition from people with similar expertise.

After three months being unemployed Lynne went on a work experience placement at Positive Footprints in Rosegrove, Burnley, where she impressed bosses with her skills and was offered a permanent managerial job within the company.

Now, Lynne finds that she is the one to give advice and guidance on employment as part of her job visiting schools and speaking to pupils.

Lynne said: “Doing work experience at 53 may seem a bit of a step backwards to some people but it enabled me to stand out from the crowd and prove what I could do. It’s resulted in me getting back in to work in a job I really enjoy.

“Undertaking work experience gave me the chance to show what skills I had and get to know people in the company and show how I could fit in with the team and the company ethos.
“I would recommend anyone to just go and get stuck in because it might lead to a permanent job opportunity.”

Comments (16)

8:56pm Thu 21 Mar 13

shytalk says...

Get your free slave labour here....
Get your free slave labour here.... shytalk

8:57pm Thu 21 Mar 13

mavrick says...

So there are no figures available for the amount of people who went on to full time employment. Hmmmmmm
I am glad a lady at 53 managed to get a job through the scheme but I am still a little more than cynical.
So there are no figures available for the amount of people who went on to full time employment. Hmmmmmm I am glad a lady at 53 managed to get a job through the scheme but I am still a little more than cynical. mavrick

9:04pm Thu 21 Mar 13

woolywords says...

The question that should be asked of anyone on this scheme is, did you volunteer for this scheme, or were you 'advised' by someone in the DWP that, 'it is in your own interests to take part in this', and that you may lose entitlement to benefits, if you do not participate.
This smacks of that Workfare scheme that had to be scrapped. Where people were near forced in to placements on what is tantamount
slave conditions. Has it come back, to rear it's ugly head, after undergoing a change in semantics of definition?
This was where someone with a degree in law, and used to teach it, was 'given the opportunity to broaden their skill set' by filling shelves, in a Blackburn supermarket.
One of most deeply disturbing things to come out of this whole insane policy (workfare) is the way in which several well known charities, (whom for legal reasons, I don't propose to name) supposedly built on principle of helping vulnerable people, seem quite happy to participate in schemes which exploit this vulnerability. This makes you wonder just what kind of people are running these charities these days and whether they subscribe to principles fought for by their founders have simple become new corporate businesses.
It would be of interest to learn from those who have volunteered, both now and on completion, to see what the conditions are and the outcome that transpires in the fullness of time.
Prior to the Gov't rewriting the law, enabling it to avoid repaying benefits that had been 'illegally' withdrawn from claimants on the Back to Work programme, we have this scheme. Which is, to say the least, a Tories wet dream, of having people work for nothing in multi-million pound businesses, while they claim that they are providing essential experience for people out of work.
We, as a society, have truly lost our moral compass, if we can sit idly by, as those whom may have lost their work through no fault of their own, are now told to endure something as repugnant as this kind of servitude.
The question that should be asked of anyone on this scheme is, did you volunteer for this scheme, or were you 'advised' by someone in the DWP that, 'it is in your own interests to take part in this', and that you may lose entitlement to benefits, if you do not participate. This smacks of that Workfare scheme that had to be scrapped. Where people were near forced in to placements on what is tantamount slave conditions. Has it come back, to rear it's ugly head, after undergoing a change in semantics of definition? This was where someone with a degree in law, and used to teach it, was 'given the opportunity to broaden their skill set' by filling shelves, in a Blackburn supermarket. One of most deeply disturbing things to come out of this whole insane policy (workfare) is the way in which several well known charities, (whom for legal reasons, I don't propose to name) supposedly built on principle of helping vulnerable people, seem quite happy to participate in schemes which exploit this vulnerability. This makes you wonder just what kind of people are running these charities these days and whether they subscribe to principles fought for by their founders have simple become new corporate businesses. It would be of interest to learn from those who have volunteered, both now and on completion, to see what the conditions are and the outcome that transpires in the fullness of time. Prior to the Gov't rewriting the law, enabling it to avoid repaying benefits that had been 'illegally' withdrawn from claimants on the Back to Work programme, we have this scheme. Which is, to say the least, a Tories wet dream, of having people work for nothing in multi-million pound businesses, while they claim that they are providing essential experience for people out of work. We, as a society, have truly lost our moral compass, if we can sit idly by, as those whom may have lost their work through no fault of their own, are now told to endure something as repugnant as this kind of servitude. woolywords

9:15pm Thu 21 Mar 13

time will tell says...

http://www.boycottwo
rkfare.org/
http://www.boycottwo rkfare.org/ time will tell

9:15pm Thu 21 Mar 13

juanbbien says...

So there are no figures available to see if the scheme is worthwhile and if anybody was taken on so to speak ,so what is the point of the exercise if no jobs are attained the employer gets free slave labour and the government can juggle the jobless figures,it's a win,win, situation but nothing for participant, sounds about right.
So there are no figures available to see if the scheme is worthwhile and if anybody was taken on so to speak ,so what is the point of the exercise if no jobs are attained the employer gets free slave labour and the government can juggle the jobless figures,it's a win,win, situation but nothing for participant, sounds about right. juanbbien

9:16pm Thu 21 Mar 13

time will tell says...

http://www.boycottwo
rkfare.org/
http://www.boycottwo rkfare.org/ time will tell

10:34pm Thu 21 Mar 13

2 for 5p says...

Fire the line up "all together now"

"Scab scab scab scab scab scab scab. Am I making any sence.
Fire the line up "all together now" "Scab scab scab scab scab scab scab. Am I making any sence. 2 for 5p

11:52pm Thu 21 Mar 13

happycyclist says...

I asked my work programme advisor about this earlier this week. I asked if I could have a placement to get some experience, and was told that I had to get permission from the jobcentre. I'll ask about it, but I'm only expecting grief, hassle, obstruction, threats of sanctions and refusal unless I agree to a placement of their choice that is of no interest or use to me.
I asked my work programme advisor about this earlier this week. I asked if I could have a placement to get some experience, and was told that I had to get permission from the jobcentre. I'll ask about it, but I'm only expecting grief, hassle, obstruction, threats of sanctions and refusal unless I agree to a placement of their choice that is of no interest or use to me. happycyclist

11:56pm Thu 21 Mar 13

happycyclist says...

January 2011? The 'work trials' scheme was still in place then. Since discontinued, that allowed the unemployed to offer to work for benefits for up to three weeks to prove their worth to an employer. It was an opportunity for the unemployed to make up with enthusiasm and graft what they lacked in experience. What's changed?
January 2011? The 'work trials' scheme was still in place then. Since discontinued, that allowed the unemployed to offer to work for benefits for up to three weeks to prove their worth to an employer. It was an opportunity for the unemployed to make up with enthusiasm and graft what they lacked in experience. What's changed? happycyclist

8:29am Fri 22 Mar 13

Jack Herer says...

I undertook a graduate work start scheme with Lancashire County Council almost 20 years ago (Christ, that makes me feel old!). It mostly included a placement in industry, but there was no guarantee of a job at the end of it. You got expenses to cover your time in work and that was about it.

I don't think there are many things I can put my finger on and say that it improved my life dramatically, but that scheme has got to be right near the top. It gave me no less than a full on decent career, with all the benefits to life that brings.

These schemes can't ever come with a guaranteed job. Industry needs people with gumption more than anything. It's about stepping up to the fore and proving your worth to a company.

These schemes aren't some just some slave labour thing. They give priceless experience at the very least. In most cases though I'd bet you'd be surprised; many companies are crying out for people who are just willing and able.
I undertook a graduate work start scheme with Lancashire County Council almost 20 years ago (Christ, that makes me feel old!). It mostly included a placement in industry, but there was no guarantee of a job at the end of it. You got expenses to cover your time in work and that was about it. I don't think there are many things I can put my finger on and say that it improved my life dramatically, but that scheme has got to be right near the top. It gave me no less than a full on decent career, with all the benefits to life that brings. These schemes can't ever come with a guaranteed job. Industry needs people with gumption more than anything. It's about stepping up to the fore and proving your worth to a company. These schemes aren't some just some slave labour thing. They give priceless experience at the very least. In most cases though I'd bet you'd be surprised; many companies are crying out for people who are just willing and able. Jack Herer

9:54am Fri 22 Mar 13

happycyclist says...

Jack Herer wrote:
I undertook a graduate work start scheme with Lancashire County Council almost 20 years ago (Christ, that makes me feel old!). It mostly included a placement in industry, but there was no guarantee of a job at the end of it. You got expenses to cover your time in work and that was about it.

I don't think there are many things I can put my finger on and say that it improved my life dramatically, but that scheme has got to be right near the top. It gave me no less than a full on decent career, with all the benefits to life that brings.

These schemes can't ever come with a guaranteed job. Industry needs people with gumption more than anything. It's about stepping up to the fore and proving your worth to a company.

These schemes aren't some just some slave labour thing. They give priceless experience at the very least. In most cases though I'd bet you'd be surprised; many companies are crying out for people who are just willing and able.
It's how they're implemented, Jack. People shy away from Jobcentreplus schemes because they FEEL that they're being bullied and harassed, time and time again. If jobcentres helped people who want help instead of being obstructive, they might find they can break barriers down and actually be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
[quote][p][bold]Jack Herer[/bold] wrote: I undertook a graduate work start scheme with Lancashire County Council almost 20 years ago (Christ, that makes me feel old!). It mostly included a placement in industry, but there was no guarantee of a job at the end of it. You got expenses to cover your time in work and that was about it. I don't think there are many things I can put my finger on and say that it improved my life dramatically, but that scheme has got to be right near the top. It gave me no less than a full on decent career, with all the benefits to life that brings. These schemes can't ever come with a guaranteed job. Industry needs people with gumption more than anything. It's about stepping up to the fore and proving your worth to a company. These schemes aren't some just some slave labour thing. They give priceless experience at the very least. In most cases though I'd bet you'd be surprised; many companies are crying out for people who are just willing and able.[/p][/quote]It's how they're implemented, Jack. People shy away from Jobcentreplus schemes because they FEEL that they're being bullied and harassed, time and time again. If jobcentres helped people who want help instead of being obstructive, they might find they can break barriers down and actually be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. happycyclist

10:03am Fri 22 Mar 13

woolywords says...

@Jack
Whilst I am prepared to concede that taking an intern position has it's place in anyone's CV, where it involves someone who may never have worked in the real world. The same cannot be said of the cases in point, as these often bare no relation to anything remotely like a chosen career path. As they say, one swallow does not a Summer make. There just too many instances of people saying that they were placed in wholly unrelated positions. There are even instances of where people were already doing voluntary work for this to be ended in order to do something else in a leading chain store.
One only has to look at the reasoning behind the Red Cross withdrawing from the scheme, in order to realise that something is not quite right about it.
And yet, other companies have set up their own schemes, of much shorter duration, with smaller numbers than the State one, which makes me cede that there is some good in it, for a few.
@Jack Whilst I am prepared to concede that taking an intern position has it's place in anyone's CV, where it involves someone who may never have worked in the real world. The same cannot be said of the cases in point, as these often bare no relation to anything remotely like a chosen career path. As they say, one swallow does not a Summer make. There just too many instances of people saying that they were placed in wholly unrelated positions. There are even instances of where people were already doing voluntary work for this to be ended in order to do something else in a leading chain store. One only has to look at the reasoning behind the Red Cross withdrawing from the scheme, in order to realise that something is not quite right about it. And yet, other companies have set up their own schemes, of much shorter duration, with smaller numbers than the State one, which makes me cede that there is some good in it, for a few. woolywords

10:19am Fri 22 Mar 13

chris283 says...

slave labor FACT
slave labor FACT chris283

12:21pm Fri 22 Mar 13

elmo maniac says...

I think its a great idea. gets people out doing work. if you think its slave labour. then they shouldnt be entitled to free money from social. its extra to put on a cv and experiance. going in the right direction
I think its a great idea. gets people out doing work. if you think its slave labour. then they shouldnt be entitled to free money from social. its extra to put on a cv and experiance. going in the right direction elmo maniac

12:47pm Fri 22 Mar 13

darwenTower says...

I knew which of the regulars would be dogging this scheme before I scrolled down the page.
I knew which of the regulars would be dogging this scheme before I scrolled down the page. darwenTower

2:17pm Fri 22 Mar 13

Jack Herer says...

woolywords wrote:
@Jack
Whilst I am prepared to concede that taking an intern position has it's place in anyone's CV, where it involves someone who may never have worked in the real world. The same cannot be said of the cases in point, as these often bare no relation to anything remotely like a chosen career path. As they say, one swallow does not a Summer make. There just too many instances of people saying that they were placed in wholly unrelated positions. There are even instances of where people were already doing voluntary work for this to be ended in order to do something else in a leading chain store.
One only has to look at the reasoning behind the Red Cross withdrawing from the scheme, in order to realise that something is not quite right about it.
And yet, other companies have set up their own schemes, of much shorter duration, with smaller numbers than the State one, which makes me cede that there is some good in it, for a few.
Why should it be any different if they had worked or not already? I'd had plenty of jobs before I took on the LCC scheme. The difference was the type of experience being offered.

How do you know the "cases" in this point either? You are basing your opinion on a terrible, worst case scenario for all. The example given in this story can't be described as that.

People need to realise they must get off their arses to get employment. They've got to show willing. A plumpy paid, easy job isn't just waiting for them to settle in, regardless of their own perceived worth. In the real world, away from cushy public sector, plain old enthusiasm counts far more than anything. Certainly more than self appointed importance.
[quote][p][bold]woolywords[/bold] wrote: @Jack Whilst I am prepared to concede that taking an intern position has it's place in anyone's CV, where it involves someone who may never have worked in the real world. The same cannot be said of the cases in point, as these often bare no relation to anything remotely like a chosen career path. As they say, one swallow does not a Summer make. There just too many instances of people saying that they were placed in wholly unrelated positions. There are even instances of where people were already doing voluntary work for this to be ended in order to do something else in a leading chain store. One only has to look at the reasoning behind the Red Cross withdrawing from the scheme, in order to realise that something is not quite right about it. And yet, other companies have set up their own schemes, of much shorter duration, with smaller numbers than the State one, which makes me cede that there is some good in it, for a few.[/p][/quote]Why should it be any different if they had worked or not already? I'd had plenty of jobs before I took on the LCC scheme. The difference was the type of experience being offered. How do you know the "cases" in this point either? You are basing your opinion on a terrible, worst case scenario for all. The example given in this story can't be described as that. People need to realise they must get off their arses to get employment. They've got to show willing. A plumpy paid, easy job isn't just waiting for them to settle in, regardless of their own perceived worth. In the real world, away from cushy public sector, plain old enthusiasm counts far more than anything. Certainly more than self appointed importance. Jack Herer

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