 JobCentres have been accused of forcing people into jobs they are "entirely unsuitable for". A new report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said the Government's current approach to helping people to work was 'narrow and focused on the short term'. Currently, the approach follows the ABC structure which gets jobseekers: "Any job first, a Better job next and into a Career.' This encourages people to apply for any paid role, before progressing to a better job. If jobseekers do not follow the advised steps from their work coach for this approach, then they risk having their benefits cut. To be eligible for the current system of financial support, such as Universal Credit and Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), from the DWP claimants must prove they are taking 'reasonable steps to look for work'. This requires them to spend at least 35 hours a week working on job applications. The group explained how this focus on meeting job application targets to avoid being sanctioned means that people end up bombarding employers with applications for roles that are inappropriate for them, which wastes everyone's time. The report highlighted one parent - only referred to as Ella - who had a high education certificate in social studies and was qualified and looking for work in criminal justice. However, she said she received "no tailored support" and was forced to take a job in retail. She said: "There's nothing to personalise your job search with your experiences, your education, your employment history or anything to differentiate you from anyone else. Any job they'd throw at me I'd have to take, otherwise I would be sanctioned.' Melanie Wilkes, associate director for work and the welfare state at IPPR, said: 'Employme){kind=link}
To be eligible for the current system of Jobseekers benefits from the DWP, claimants must prove they are taking “reasonable steps to look for work” which requires them to spend 35 hours a week working on job applications.
Department for Work and Pension (DWP) JobCentres have been accused of forcing people into jobs they are “entirely unsuitable for”.
A new report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said the Government’s current approach to helping people to work was “narrow and focused on the short term”. Currently, the approach follows the ABC structure which gets jobseekers: “Any job first, a Better job next and into a Career.” This encourages people to apply for any paid role, before progressing to a better job. If jobseekers do not follow the advised steps from their work coach for this approach, then they risk having their benefits cut.
To be eligible for the current system of financial support, such as Universal Credit and Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), from the DWP claimants must prove they are taking “reasonable steps to look for work”. This requires them to spend at least 35 hours a week working on job applications.
The group explained how this focus on meeting job application targets to avoid being sanctioned means that people end up bombarding employers with applications for roles that are inappropriate for them, which wastes everyone’s time.