WPP1 / WPP2

MikeC101

Kind of ironic that a Labour TD is bringing it up, when the Labour party have a somewhat questionable WPP1 job up on the site!

the_syco

Bodega wrote: »

"The only winner here is the employer, who gets a worker for up to nine months for nothing. The Minister must revisit this scheme urgently, as FÁS is giving the green light to employ staff for work under the guise of a training scheme for which candidates are grossly overqualified. She should also consider requiring the employer to pay some salary or expenses so the person is at least earning a living wage while working a full week.

...and to show how much they dislike it, they join in...

miec wrote: »

Fundraising Officer (WPP1)
Description:
Area of Activity: Finance department - organisation of fundraising activities. Elements of Experience: Event management. Direct marketing. Campaign organisation. Office administration. Membership services. Political organisation. Person Specification: Strong communication skills, MS Office proficient, self-motivated with experience of organising fundraising or campaigns.

Applicants may e-mail a CV to recruitment@labour.ie
___________________________
Even political parties are in on the piss take game. Well I won't be voting labour, that is really such a sad indictment of our political parties.

Bodega

I wasn't aware of the Labour party job. Found his comments while searching for info about the scheme. Also found this from a Cork FF Councillor. Was trying to ascertain if it was on anyones radar as an issue as my husband was interested in a job which would have been ideal but again it was one of these wpp1 schemes by the time expenses were taken out of his 196euro just wouldn't be feasible. Can't believe they are getting away with it. Apparently 1 in 3 of all jobs on FAS now fall under this programme
Work placement programm e should be re-examined

Tags: Cork, FAS, Ireland, Kenneth O'Flynn, politics, Work Placement Programme
NORTH side councillor Kenneth O’Flynn has called upon the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Innovation to re-examine the Work Placement Programme which is currently being operated by FÁS.
“The Work Placement Programme offers unemployed people, including unemployed graduates, the opportunity to obtain nine months work experience while on a work placement with a company. While on the work placement participants retain their social welfare status and entitlements.
“At present the programme is divided between WPP1 for unemployed graduates who have attained a full award at level seven or above on the National Framework of Qualifications. WPP2 is aimed towards unemployed people who have not attained a full award at level seven or above on the National Framework of Qualifications.
“As it stands at present there is a three to one uptake in the programme by WPP1 over WPP2.
“Hardly a week goes by when people come to me to and ask about this programme and express an interest in partaking in it. The majority of these people would fit into the WPP2 category; however they do not pick up on it, as they cannot meet the costs that go with work such as food and transport.
“That is why I have called upon the Minister to introduce a food and transport allowance to go with the scheme to encourage more people to partake in it.”
“The WPP is designed to offer unemployed people, the opportunity to obtain a number of months work experience in a work situation. Participants gain experience so they can gain experience so that they can keep their skills fresh and relevant to the job market.
“For recent graduates, they have an opportunity to apply their skill in a work situation and to get real work experience to add to their qualification.”
Cllr O’Flynn encouraged anyone interested in availing of the scheme to contact their local FÁS office or to visit www.fas.ie.

clarelad

Hi,

I have an interview for a WPP1 position on friday,its a position i am interested in but it seems a bit suspect! It was first put up on the fas site in September 2009,just wondering why they are taking so long to fill the position,has anyone experience with doing the WPP?

Thanks:)

billybigunz

clarelad wrote: »

Hi,

I have an interview for a WPP1 position on friday,its a position i am interested in but it seems a bit suspect! It was first put up on the fas site in September 2009,just wondering why they are taking so long to fill the position,has anyone experience with doing the WPP?

Thanks:)

Hahaha, as predicted. They are on their second round of free work. The first guy was told to shift as soon as they had to pay him.

clarelad

billybigunz wrote: »

Hahaha, as predicted. They are on their second round of free work. The first guy was told to shift as soon as they had to pay him.

haha ur prob right,maybe its not worth my while attending the interview!

28064212

billybigunz wrote: »

Hahaha, as predicted. They are on their second round of free work. The first guy was told to shift as soon as they had to pay him.

Despite the fact that all placements are for 9 months? And despite the fact that the position has been up on the fas website the whole time?

clarelad wrote: »

Hi,

I have an interview for a WPP1 position on friday,its a position i am interested in but it seems a bit suspect! It was first put up on the fas site in September 2009,just wondering why they are taking so long to fill the position,has anyone experience with doing the WPP?

Thanks:)

Could be any of a number of reasons, but I suspect that top of the list is lack of applicants. If you think the position will give you good experience, go for it. You can always walk away at any time with no consequences if it's not a good fit for you

clarelad

clarelad wrote: »

haha ur prob right,maybe its not worth my while attending the interview!

go and ask them why it took so long or mention it and ask will there be a paid position at the end if your suitable? Tell them if your good enough to work longer than 3 months then you should be paid. 3 months is more than long enough to sum someone up in a workplace

Otherwise look for another WPP with a job at the end of it

clarelad

Deleted User wrote: »

go and ask them why it took so long or mention it and ask will there be a paid position at the end if your suitable? Tell them if your good enough to work longer than 3 months then you should be paid. 3 months is more than long enough to sum someone up in a workplace

Otherwise look for another WPP with a job at the end of it

du you think they will tell me the truth if i ask these questions?doubtful:)
considering the sort of scheme it is,its a gamble really!

mood

billybigunz wrote: »

I am going to make it my mission that that person never recieves their phd.

Any link to the job?

Got it.

http://jobbank.fas.ie/servlet/Watis?SESS=52691_7&SERVICE=CRITERIUMBROWSE&TEMPLATE=WWW_JS_VAC_CRITERIUM_BROWSE.HTM&ROW=11&BACK=TEMPLATE%3DWWW_JS_VAC_CRITERIUM_OVERVIEW.HTM

Your PhD thesis is meant to be entirely your own.

Here he is, Patrick Shallow.

http://www.finalysis.ie/FinalysisInternational/The-Team.html


So he bought his PhD from the Smurfit school. I will just find out who their accreditation is from. UCD it seems. Time for a nice little email.

What a f**king chancer! I hope he never gets it. And how would anyone be so stupid as to trust ANYONE to edit their phD!

miec

I am going to make it my mission that that person never recieves their phd.

Any link to the job?

Got it.

http://jobbank.fas.ie/servlet/Watis?...M_OVERVIEW.HTM

Your PhD thesis is meant to be entirely your own.

Here he is, Patrick Shallow.

http://www.finalysis.ie/FinalysisInt.../The-Team.html


So he bought his PhD from the Smurfit school. I will just find out who their accreditation is from. UCD it seems. Time for a nice little email.

Well I can only say fair play to you and one should never underestimate the power of the Internet. I have to say when I was looking on the fas website for a job and I saw these few jobs I saw red but I am so glad I posted them up here. Thank you fellow boardies I am also going to send an e-mail to that Labour TD who gave the speech and see if he is aware that his own party is abusing this system.

As for that chancer re: his PhD, he knows there is a plethora of graduates looking for an opportunity and he is seriously on the make. Do you know billybigunz and everyone else, you have made my day. Thank you.

mood

billybigunz wrote: »

I am going to make it my mission that that person never recieves their phd.

Any link to the job?

Got it.

http://jobbank.fas.ie/servlet/Watis?SESS=52691_7&SERVICE=CRITERIUMBROWSE&TEMPLATE=WWW_JS_VAC_CRITERIUM_BROWSE.HTM&ROW=11&BACK=TEMPLATE%3DWWW_JS_VAC_CRITERIUM_OVERVIEW.HTM

Your PhD thesis is meant to be entirely your own.

Here he is, Patrick Shallow.

http://www.finalysis.ie/FinalysisInternational/The-Team.html


So he bought his PhD from the Smurfit school. I will just find out who their accreditation is from. UCD it seems. Time for a nice little email.

Let us know how you get on. This guy is just unbelievable.

billybigunz

Sent the email last night to a load of ministers, the dean of Smurfit, pres of UCD, all the papers, few radio shows and journalists.

No replies but I requested not to get any as I was just informing them.

miec

Well done, let's hope something will change.

Eliza Lynch

For various reasons I will have to leave my placement early I am just wondering if anyone has had to do this and how it works? Will I get cut off?

donkey balls

Eliza Lynch wrote: »

For various reasons I will have to leave my placement early I am just wondering if anyone has had to do this and how it works? Will I get cut off?

i dont see why you should get cut off give FAS&DSW a call and explain it to them.

Magenta

billybigunz wrote: »

Sent the email last night to a load of ministers, the dean of Smurfit, pres of UCD, all the papers, few radio shows and journalists.

No replies but I requested not to get any as I was just informing them.

I'm probably asking a really silly question, but is the Smurfit business school one of those mail-order-degree type places?
Also, I thought he had already finished the PhD so why is he looking for someone to edit it?

Sorry, it's 5am and my brain wound down about 4 hours ago

katkin

In this 2009 report http://www.fas.ie/NR/rdonlyres/9ABC5EE1-CF20-4AA5-ACA4-C5B81DD9FE5E/793/jobsdownturn.pdf Fas themselves recognise the following:

"It should be emphasised that there is no shortage of persons with suitable formal qualifications (e.g. recent graduates). However, some recruitment agencies were having difficulty finding persons with experience or knowledge of particular aspects of the work. Thus, there was not a shortage of persons with IT qualifications in general, but rather persons with experience with networks or particular software applications (e.g. Java). The same point applies to managers, sales representatives, scientists, engineers, accountants and nurses as outlined in the table below."

And

"1.7 Conclusions
This section has aimed to highlight areas where jobs are likely to be available during the next year despite the downturn. Skills shortages are now confined to areas of specific expertise and experience (typically for graduates). Occupations in the health and ICT sectors are relatively strongly in demand. There is also an on-going demand for accountants (with expertise in compliance, regulation, risk) and experienced marketing managers. Sales representatives with particular technical skills or experience are also in demand.

There will also be a continued demand for persons for jobs in occupations employing large numbers of people where labour turnover is a continued feature. These are sales assistants, clerical, caring, hairdressing, security and catering. Labour turnover is a characteristic of all occupations so even small occupations will have some vacancies during the next year."

So the original FAS WPP had some justification, but the second one none, in fact they are providing Free employees to potential genuine employers who really need to employ someone in areas where skills or experience shortages are not a problem.

Idiots.

miec

I'm probably asking a really silly question, but is the Smurfit business school one of those mail-order-degree type places?
Also, I thought he had already finished the PhD so why is he looking for someone to edit it?

Hi Magenta

In answer to your question re: the smurfit school of business, no it is not one of those mail order degree places, it is part of UCD and quite highly respected.

7861213

AS someone who has been on the work placment program, I would advise anyone to consider carefully what you want from the placement. My experience was demeaning in terms of a lack of respect for me as a human being and with the placement having no relevance to the advertised specification for the role.
Thus I resigned as I felt I was treated as a second class citizen due to my inability to find work. It felt good to be back in society taking the bus to work arriving and leaving having done your hours. However this initial benefit was overtaken by the lack of facilities, training and even common curteousy expected from a work environment.
I am not a wet behind the ears student, I have numerous years in the workplace.
Please consider the interview stages for this role as your interview of the company as the role may not match your expectations.
Im am hoping this helps someone out there not to have the same experience as I encountered. My area is IT and I would not ever do a work placement scheme role again.

7861213

clarelad

got offered a 6 month placement today with a good company,its also related to my degree so hopefully it turns out to be what i expected

clarelad

7861213 wrote: »

AS someone who has been on the work placment program, I would advise anyone to consider carefully what you want from the placement. My experience was demeaning in terms of a lack of respect for me as a human being and with the placement having no relevance to the advertised specification for the role.
Thus I resigned as I felt I was treated as a second class citizen due to my inability to find work. It felt good to be back in society taking the bus to work arriving and leaving having done your hours. However this initial benefit was overtaken by the lack of facilities, training and even common curteousy expected from a work environment.
I am not a wet behind the ears student, I have numerous years in the workplace.
Please consider the interview stages for this role as your interview of the company as the role may not match your expectations.
Im am hoping this helps someone out there not to have the same experience as I encountered. My area is IT and I would not ever do a work placement scheme role again.

7861213

Hmmm,no harm in trying it out i guess,thanks for the feedback...

miec

AS someone who has been on the work placment program, I would advise anyone to consider carefully what you want from the placement. My experience was demeaning in terms of a lack of respect for me as a human being and with the placement having no relevance to the advertised specification for the role.
Thus I resigned as I felt I was treated as a second class citizen due to my inability to find work. It felt good to be back in society taking the bus to work arriving and leaving having done your hours. However this initial benefit was overtaken by the lack of facilities, training and even common curteousy expected from a work environment.
I am not a wet behind the ears student, I have numerous years in the workplace.
Please consider the interview stages for this role as your interview of the company as the role may not match your expectations.
Im am hoping this helps someone out there not to have the same experience as I encountered. My area is IT and I would not ever do a work placement scheme role again.

Hi Op

I am sorry to hear you were treated that way but I am not surprised. I am totally against this scheme, it is corrupt on so many levels. Every day I check out fas.ie and pretty much 95% of the jobs are WPP, now if there was no such scheme at least a third if not more of those jobs would have been real jobs (taxes coming into the economy, getting people off the dole properly, etc). This country cannot afford this scheme on top of everything esle and I would hazard a guess that most of the jobs do not offer experience or treat people fairly. FAS do not give a damn about regulating it properly and no one in the media will touch this story despite many people in this thread contacting them, it all seems a bit ****ed up.

28064212

miec wrote: »

I am sorry to hear you were treated that way but I am not surprised. I am totally against this scheme, it is corrupt on so many levels.

Yes, totally corrupt. 7861213 wasn't getting the experience they thought was necessary to make it worthwhile, but was forced to work like a slave for the full 9 months placement, completely against their... Oh wait, no, they could (and did) walk at any time, without losing anything.

While I don't know what the consequences of a participant walking away are for a company, I would imagine their application for a WPP participant will be (at least) reviewed.

miec wrote: »

This country cannot afford this scheme on top of everything esle

This country can't afford the economy to totally stagnate and another raft of SME's to go under while we wait for the cost of living, wages and employment all to stabilise

miec wrote: »

I would hazard a guess that most of the jobs do not offer experience or treat people fairly.

'Hazard a guess'? No ****. Of the posters who have actually participated in the program, most of them have said positive things about their experience.

7861213, sorry to hear about your crappy time on the WPP. If you haven't already, report the company to Fás. It might help prevent someone else suffering the same as you did

billybigunz

28064212 wrote: »

Yes, totally corrupt. 7861213 wasn't getting the experience they thought was necessary to make it worthwhile, but was forced to work like a slave for the full 9 months placement, completely against their... Oh wait, no, they could (and did) walk at any time, without losing anything.

While I don't know what the consequences of a participant walking away are for a company, I would imagine their application for a WPP participant will be (at least) reviewed.
This country can't afford the economy to totally stagnate and another raft of SME's to go under while we wait for the cost of living, wages and employment all to stabilise
'Hazard a guess'? No ****. Of the posters who have actually participated in the program, most of them have said positive things about their experience.

7861213, sorry to hear about your crappy time on the WPP. If you haven't already, report the company to Fás. It might help prevent someone else suffering the same as you did

This scheme causes unemployment. Tell me one possible way that it creates jobs.

28064212

billybigunz wrote: »

Tell me one possible way that it creates jobs.

It doesn't. No-one has claimed it does

billybigunz wrote: »

This scheme causes unemployment.

That's not a logical result. Just because something doesn't do something else, doesn't mean it does the opposite. What it does do, and what it has always claimed to do, is to provide an opportunity for job-seekers to upskill and gain experience where they wouldn't have a chance to otherwise

billybigunz

28064212 wrote: »

It doesn't. No-one has claimed it does
That's not a logical result. Just because something doesn't do something else, doesn't mean it does the opposite. What it does do, and what it has always claimed to do, is to provide an opportunity for job-seekers to upskill and gain experience where they wouldn't have a chance to otherwise

Profitable company advertises for paid job, finds out about WPP maybe because he sees his competitor is using it. Paid job becomes dole slave job.

Proved.
What waste of money. This scheme has no redeeming characteristics.

28064212

billybigunz wrote: »

Profitable company advertises for paid job, finds out about WPP maybe because he sees his competitor is using it. Paid job becomes dole slave job.

Proved.
What waste of money. This scheme has no redeeming characteristics.

Wow. I bow to your obviously completely well-thought-out and considerate analysis of the scheme. Well done.

Incidentally...

• Person recently graduated can't find work due to the mass of qualified and experienced people out there and the small number of positions available, person has no way to gain the experience necessary to actually compete, person has to emigrate or try and live on the dole.
• Company can't afford to pay someone (or can and worker turns out to be worse than useless), company goes under because they have become extremely unprofitable, entire company workforce out of a job.

Clearly, that proves your hypothesis completely wrong. Oh and where is the waste of money argument coming from? I can understand arguing that it's not a good idea, but, aside from the minimal cost of administration, how is it a waste of money?

billybigunz

You clearly have no understanding of the issue.

28064212

28064212 wrote: »

Wow. I bow to your obviously completely well-thought-out and considerate analysis of the scheme. Well done.

Incidentally...

• Person recently graduated can't find work due to the mass of qualified and experienced people out there and the small number of positions available, person has no way to gain the experience necessary to actually compete, person has to emigrate or try and live on the dole.
• Company can't afford to pay someone (or can and worker turns out to be worse than useless), company goes under because they have become extremely unprofitable, entire company workforce out of a job.

Clearly, that proves your hypothesis completely wrong. Oh and where is the waste of money argument coming from? I can understand arguing that it's not a good idea, but, aside from the minimal cost of administration, how is it a waste of money?

Unprofitable because it would not reduce wages, energy costs were too high, insurance costs were too high and rental costs were too high.

Those are the main reasons businesses cite when they fail or relocate.
The WPP scheme does not one thing to help. If a company cant afford to take people on it needs to go under so new people can take it over and run it more efficiently.

We are hell bent on propping up failed businesses and it`s eventually going to cost us the nations financial sovereignty. Its crap like this that will cause us to default.

5 days ago 42.4% of full time jobs on fas.ie were WPP(having increased by 0.5% in the previous 7 days before that). Today 43.9% are WPP. In just 5 days it increased by 1.5% ! Annualise that! The WPP scheme is clearly having a crowding out effect on paid employment.

eth0_

28064212 wrote: »

Incidentally...

• Person recently graduated can't find work due to the mass of qualified and experienced people out there and the small number of positions available, person has no way to gain the experience necessary to actually compete, person has to emigrate or try and live on the dole.....

Well, that is your idealistic utopian view of the WPP scheme. The reality is VERY different. A large % of these placements are of no use because they're essentially slave labour.

A good (and by no means unique) example of this was a recent WPP posting on the FAS website...six months WPP going round cleaning toilets and emptying sanitary towel bins. And you needed to have prior experience to even apply!

If that's not taking the p*ss, I don't know what is.

28064212

Deleted User wrote: »

Unprofitable because it would not reduce wages, energy costs were too high, insurance costs were too high and rental costs were too high.

Those are the main reasons businesses cite when they fail or relocate.
The WPP scheme does not one thing to help. If a company cant afford to take people on it needs to go under so new people can take it over and run it more efficiently.

Oh, I agree that it is extremely unlikely that the lack of a WPP option would cause a business to fail. My example was a facetious response to billybigunz "proving" that the WPP was a bad idea.

I don't agree that the WPP doesn't do anything to help companies. It encourages companies to take a chance on a graduate, instead of just battening down the hatches and not hiring anybody for the duration of the recession. It means that there is a chance to grow, instead of stagnating because the resources aren't there to take on some extra staff. And it means that at the end of the 9 months, they have someone who is ready to start immediately without any breaking-in period

Deleted User wrote: »

5 days ago 42.4% of full time jobs on fas.ie were WPP(having increased by 0.5% in the previous 7 days before that). Today 43.9% are WPP. In just 5 days it increased by 1.5% ! Annualise that! The WPP scheme is clearly having a crowding out effect on paid employment.

Absolutely meaningless stats. I can just as easily point out the increase and say that many positions which are trying to take advantage aren't being filled, so it's only the actually valid positions that are being taken up. Increase in adverts does not mean an increase in take-up.

eth0_ wrote: »

Well, that is your idealistic utopian view of the WPP scheme. The reality is VERY different. A large % of these placements are of no use because they're essentially slave labour.

Actually, it's based on both my and a friend's personal experience on the scheme. What are you basing your "large % of these placements" on?

eth0_ wrote: »

A good (and by no means unique) example of this was a recent WPP posting on the FAS website...six months WPP going round cleaning toilets and emptying sanitary towel bins. And you needed to have prior experience to even apply!

I assume you're referring to the washroom technician job that was posted on this thread? That was a position in a large multi-national corporation (ISS) which specialises in "Integrated Facility Services", and there was no experience mentioned in the specification. It involved servicing and installing various washroom products. The WPP could be a good chance to get a foot in the door. And if it's not, you can walk out at any time.

Incidentally, ISS are also still hiring for permanent positions, including one which actually is for a cleaner, on top of their WPP position, which has been on the Fás website since January 14

ROTTING CHRIST

28064212 wrote: »

Wow. I bow to your obviously completely well-thought-out and considerate analysis of the scheme. Well done.

Incidentally...

• Person recently graduated can't find work due to the mass of qualified and experienced people out there and the small number of positions available, person has no way to gain the experience necessary to actually compete, person has to emigrate or try and live on the dole.
• Company can't afford to pay someone (or can and worker turns out to be worse than useless), company goes under because they have become extremely unprofitable, entire company workforce out of a job.

Clearly, that proves your hypothesis completely wrong. Oh and where is the waste of money argument coming from? I can understand arguing that it's not a good idea, but, aside from the minimal cost of administration, how is it a waste of money?

Just on the bold points:

1. If a company can't afford to pay staff, something is wrong and that is what needs to be addressed. Whether it's high ESB costs, high rents, etc, throwing free staff at the company doesn't solve the problem.

2. If a worker turns out to be useless, the company has a problem with their hiring process and that is what needs to be addressed.

3. It wastes money in the sense that a lot of these wpp positions would otherwise be paid jobs where the employee and company are contributing
PAYE/PRSI etc to the government, and the government are saving money by not having to continue paying jobseekers allowance to the staff member.

ROTTING CHRIST

28064212 wrote: »

Oh, I agree that it is extremely unlikely that the lack of a WPP option would cause a business to fail. My example was a facetious response to billybigunz "proving" that the WPP was a bad idea.

I don't agree that the WPP doesn't do anything to help companies. It encourages companies to take a chance on a graduate, instead of just battening down the hatches and not hiring anybody for the duration of the recession. It means that there is a chance to grow, instead of stagnating because the resources aren't there to take on some extra staff. And it means that at the end of the 9 months, they have someone who is ready to start immediately without any breaking-in period
Absolutely meaningless stats. I can just as easily point out the increase and say that many positions which are trying to take advantage aren't being filled, so it's only the actually valid positions that are being taken up. Increase in adverts does not mean an increase in take-up.
Actually, it's based on both my and a friend's personal experience on the scheme. What are you basing your "large % of these placements" on?

I assume you're referring to the washroom technician job that was posted on this thread? That was a position in a large multi-national corporation (ISS) which specialises in "Integrated Facility Services", and there was no experience mentioned in the specification. It involved servicing and installing various washroom products. The WPP could be a good chance to get a foot in the door. And if it's not, you can walk out at any time.

Incidentally, ISS are also still hiring for permanent positions, including one which actually is for a cleaner, on top of their WPP position, which has been on the Fás website since January 14

The whole basis behind your argument seems to be that this scheme stops troubled companies going under, and thus saves other workers jobs well.. The idea of the scheme is to give graduates/non-skilled people EXPERIENCE in order to gain future employment, it's not to provide troubled companies with skilled staff. A graduate/non-skilled staff member employed for 6 or 9 months is not going to be able to contribute a substantial enough amount of work to stop the company going under.

But in a weird twist of fate, the companies abusing this scheme looking for skilled staff (I gave an example before of a company looking for someone with a B.Sc in Computer Science AND CCNA qualifed AND experience with TCP/IP AND willing to work shifts) are actually probably preventing themselves going under through ABUSE of the scheme.

28064212

ROTTING CHRIST wrote: »

The whole basis behind your argument seems to be that this scheme stops troubled companies going under, and thus saves other workers jobs well..

No, it's not, I specified in the post you quoted that I was not making a serious point with that argument

rizzla

ROTTING CHRIST wrote: »

The idea of the scheme is to give graduates/non-skilled people EXPERIENCE in order to gain future employment, it's not to provide troubled companies with skilled staff. A graduate/non-skilled staff member employed for 6 or 9 months is not going to be able to contribute a substantial enough amount of work to stop the company going under.

I've got an interview for a WPP on Tursday and this right there is my opinion of it. I've tried getting full-time work to no avail. Most common excuse is lack of experience. I'm hoping this will be the first step on the ladder to my career. I don't mind not getting paid, I still get the dole, and if it does what it's meant to do after the 9 months I should find it easier to find paid full-time work.

rizzla

rizzla wrote: »

I've got an interview for a WPP on Tursday and this right there is my opinion of it. I've tried getting full-time work to no avail. Most common excuse is lack of experience. I'm hoping this will be the first step on the ladder to my career. I don't mind not getting paid, I still get the dole, and if it does what it's meant to do after the 9 months I should find it easier to find paid full-time work.

we could give the 400k unemployed all experience but it wont create jobs

ROTTING CHRIST

Deleted User wrote: »

we could give the 400k unemployed all experience but it wont create jobs

I agree and to add, this scheme actually hinders the creation of jobs. Why would companies spend money creating real jobs when they can piggyback onto this scheme and have free staff paid for by the government (and taxpayer).

rizzla

Valid points, but at least I get out the house if I manage to get it.

clarelad

my placement will only be for 6 months instead of 9,anyone know why this is?

majiktripp

clarelad wrote: »

my placement will only be for 6 months instead of 9,anyone know why this is?

Perhaps ask your employer? Or contact Fas and ask whats up.

Tiddlers

I've posted on this thread before about the positives and the benefits of the WPP scheme and I think there are far too many people speculating about how negative the scheme is. If you don't want to take a WPP job,don't but there's no need to dismiss the scheme altogether as there are plenty of unskilled graduates and non-grads who would jump through hoops to gain some experience.Yeah, there are some companies who seem to be taken advantage of the scheme so when you notice something suspect ,be useful,mention it to FAS and maybe they'll start monitoring the scheme a bit better.

I started a WPP job a couple of months back and they've told me they are going to keep me on and start paying me soon. I'm delighted. So for all the begrudgers, the WPP scheme is not a dead loss all the time and as the amount of jobs being offered on the scheme prolifierates hopefully there'll be more stories like this soon.

Apparently a friend of my brothers just finished up 6 months on a WPP.

They gave him a pat on the back and sent him on his way. I feel that is very, very wrong.

There should be some financial guarantee for the employee. Experience is great, but it doesn't keep a roof over your head.

billybigunz

Tiddlers wrote: »

I've posted on this thread before about the positives and the benefits of the WPP scheme and I think there are far too many people speculating about how negative the scheme is. If you don't want to take a WPP job,don't but there's no need to dismiss the scheme altogether as there are plenty of unskilled graduates and non-grads who would jump through hoops to gain some experience.Yeah, there are some companies who seem to be taken advantage of the scheme so when you notice something suspect ,be useful,mention it to FAS and maybe they'll start monitoring the scheme a bit better.

I started a WPP job a couple of months back and they've told me they are going to keep me on and start paying me soon. I'm delighted. So for all the begrudgers, the WPP scheme is not a dead loss all the time and as the amount of jobs being offered on the scheme prolifierates hopefully there'll be more stories like this soon.

Is that a job that would not have otherwise been there. I get the feeling places like this are just using WPP schemes as extended 9 month interviews.

miec

As with every scheme there are upsides and downsides, for those of you who are in favour of this scheme and where it has benefited you, that is great, the WPP is not all bad, but, it is deeply flawed and is being abused.

there are some companies who seem to be taken advantage of the scheme so when you notice something suspect ,be useful,mention it to FAS and maybe they'll start monitoring the scheme a bit better.

Tiddlers many people from this thread have reported the suspect jobs to FAS, they have done nothing.

I agree and to add, this scheme actually hinders the creation of jobs. Why would companies spend money creating real jobs when they can piggyback onto this scheme and have free staff paid for by the government (and taxpayer).

+ 1 and this is happening, hence the dramatic rise in WPP jobs, why pay someone when the government and taxpayer will fund them. If the WPP scheme was scrapped, then those companies would have to pay someone, and that person would be paying tax and prsi, I cannot understand why those in favour of the scheme dismiss this very vital point.

It encourages companies to take a chance on a graduate

Considering so many WPP jobs advertised seek graduates with experience (and I have posted up a few examples) most graduates still don't have a viable chance of getting in as a lot of people are taking the WPP scheme out of desperation because they hate being unemployed.

Tiddlers

billybigunz wrote: »

Is that a job that would not have otherwise been there. I get the feeling places like this are just using WPP schemes as extended 9 month interviews.

The job came up while I was there. The WPP scheme is not a job creation scheme or incentive after all.Doing the job under the WPP was kind of like my training. And I don't see how there's too much wrong with that. Working for a while on a WPP job should kknock the sense of entitlement out of many young people. I know it made me think long and hard about what I really want from a job and what I'm willing to put in to get what I want.

I have a friend who has been a manager in hotels around Dublin for years now and he says the money that gets wasted while training in people is shocking,especially when they turn out to be incompetent or discover that they're not suited for the job after all. Hearing things like this from my friend make me wonder about the shop assistant or bar tending jobs advertised under the scheme. The cynics in us immediatley jump to the conslusion that there's something fishy going on when really reading a few words on a screen gives only a small glimpse of the job on offer. Though I guess sometimes it's hard to invest trust in a lot of business owners.

billybigunz

Tiddlers wrote: »

The job came up while I was there. The WPP scheme is not a job creation scheme or incentive after all.Doing the job under the WPP was kind of like my training. And I don't see how there's too much wrong with that. Working for a while on a WPP job should kknock the sense of entitlement out of many young people. I know it made me think long and hard about what I really want from a job and what I'm willing to put in to get what I want.

I have a friend who has been a manager in hotels around Dublin for years now and he says the money that gets wasted while training in people is shocking,especially when they turn out to be incompetent or discover that they're not suited for the job after all. Hearing things like this from my friend make me wonder about the shop assistant or bar tending jobs advertised under the scheme. The cynics in us immediatley jump to the conslusion that there's something fishy going on when really reading a few words on a screen gives only a small glimpse of the job on offer. Though I guess sometimes it's hard to invest trust in a lot of business owners.

I have a problem paying for somebodies training when the company should. If people want to do unpaid internships then do it on your own account.

SeaFields

Another great example of the failings of the WPP scheme ...

3. Sales Assistant - Youghal (WPP2) Youghal JB546394

Area of Activity: Retail Sales Assistant. Elements of Experience offered: Stock control; quality control; pro-press steaming; customer care; cash control; house-keeping; window display; floor display; assisting the Manager. Person Specification: An experienced person with a retail background, outgoing and mixes well with volunteers. A good team player.

BostonB

billybigunz wrote: »

I have a problem paying for somebodies training when the company should. If people want to do unpaid internships then do it on your own account.

They can't they'd lose their dole. Your paying the dole not the cost training (assuming there is any). I assume the hope, is that with benefit of experience, on their CV, the person will get a job. Thus taking them off the dole. Saving you money. But you'd prefer to have them on the dole.

That said I don't think its a well thought out scheme. But the negativity on this thread is incredible.

billybigunz

BostonB wrote: »

They can't they'd lose their dole. Your paying the dole not the cost training (assuming there is any). I assume the hope, is that with benefit of experience, on their CV, the person will get a job. Thus taking them off the dole. Saving you money. But you'd prefer to have them on the dole.

It costs money by keeping somebody on the dole that shouldn't be on it. If a company is going to needs to employ someone then they will. If they can't get somebody experienced then just offer a lower wage and train them. That is the way it works.