Name and Shame Job Bridge

yore

SmokeyEyes wrote: »

Glad there's this great rant thread, I'm freaking out at this stage as every single job that's relevant to me and my experience is an internship. Now I'd have no problem if any of them were promising a role at the end of it but right now can't afford to spend another 9 months committing myself to a role where I won't get a proper wage.

It's really depressing we're trying to save for a house and the incredible amount of jobs that are now being advertised as internships is making it nearly impossible to get an entry level position and that even if you do apply they're still really hard to get an interview for because so many people are applying for them.

I'm so angry that this is the situation in Ireland right now:(

Why should you need the same company to employ you? Who expects a "job for life" these days? Lots of people do a job for a year or two, learn new skills and then move to a better job. Nothing wrong with that!

If all that's available for your experience is jobsbridge then take it. In 9 months you'll have an extra 9 months experience. Or you can sit on the dole and stagnate. I know what I'd choose!

rude awakening

yore wrote: »

If all that's available for your experience is jobsbridge then take it. In 9 months you'll have an extra 9 months experience. Or you can sit on the dole and stagnate. I know what I'd choose!

Have to disagree Yore. I finish on this scheme in 3 days and I can tell you that your only their "tidier-upper" for 6-9 months. You get the admin, the photocopying etc. You live in hope of a "full-time" job. The only experience you really have is the environment you work in.

I'm not that type of person that can just pick-up and move to a different city. I prefer where I have roots. But I'm thinking now I may have to. Its a disgusting truth

Royal Legend

micromary wrote: »

Maybe a stupid question and maybe I am being very naive but I thought I would ask out there. Does the govt, its ministers or td's not care that all they are doing is prolonging the unemployment situation with no real solution???? After all this current lot got in with a promise that they would create real jobs and stop the hemorrage but as the Irish Times reported on Friday more jobs are being lost. Its a very sorry state of affairs.

I am sure that they are or will manipulate figures to show that "the scheme" is working. Much the same as the figures they threw out in the Dail last week concerning the brilliant job they had done in reducing waiting lists in hospitals, even though the following day official figures came out showing the opposite.

Makes me laugh, this crowd claimied they were open and honest and changing the face of politics in Ireland, when they are more of the same and in some cases much much worse than the previous regime.
THEY THINK WE ARE ALL TOO STUPID TO NOTICE.

SmokeyEyes

yore wrote: »

Why should you need the same company to employ you? Who expects a "job for life" these days? Lots of people do a job for a year or two, learn new skills and then move to a better job. Nothing wrong with that!

If all that's available for your experience is jobsbridge then take it. In 9 months you'll have an extra 9 months experience. Or you can sit on the dole and stagnate. I know what I'd choose!

I don't think that's fair. I'm looking for jobs every day, I have to believe my only two options aren't a Jobsbridge scheme or 'sitting on the dole'. I'm an active job hunter with some experience behind me, that has to count for something in the job world.

rude awakening

SmokeyEyes wrote: »

I don't think that's fair. I'm looking for jobs every day, I have to believe my only two options aren't a Jobsbridge scheme or 'sitting on the dole'. I'm an active job hunter with some experience behind me, that has to count for something in the job world.

Agree 100%. But its like I said earlier, until multinational organizations in this country higher non-experienced employees and train them in-house, I don't see the unemployment rate in this country decreasing.

CuriousG

yore wrote: »

Why should you need the same company to employ you? Who expects a "job for life" these days? Lots of people do a job for a year or two, learn new skills and then move to a better job. Nothing wrong with that!

If all that's available for your experience is jobsbridge then take it. In 9 months you'll have an extra 9 months experience. Or you can sit on the dole and stagnate. I know what I'd choose!

Probably because the whole point of this scheme is to BRIDGE you to a JOB. What's the point in companies taking on all these interns if there isn't a job afterwards -sure, you might be lucky enough to get one somewhere else, but that shouldn't be the case after most definitely doing the company a favour for so many months. It's obvious you haven't had much experience 'on the dole' if you think that people would rather 'sit and stagnate' ...

ABajaninCork

Just heard This on the news...

At last someone seems to be taking this issue on board!

rude awakening

This is only a sample of why Waterford/Wexford/Kilkenny is suffering

Administrator
The intern will gain practical experience in an insurance environment, providing support to all departments. The intern will receive formal/informal training in the following diary management(a schedule), switchboards(a phone) and telephone manners(comes naturally), communications(comes naturally) and database management(Trainable). On completion the intern will have attained skills in busy office and database management, and expanded their communication skills.
Education Requirements: Leaving Certificate Ordinary - or equivalent
(Full-time Job for anyone willing to learn) WHY JOBSBRIDGE?

Sales & Office Administrator
Where - Enerpower
The intern will gain practical experience in the work of sales, office administration, customer service and general administration(Trainable). The intern will receive formal/informal training in the following sales, marketing, administration including basic accounts and social media(facebook) in business. On completion the intern will have attained skills in all areas of working in an office environment including sales, marketing, accounts and general office administration.
Education Requirements: Leaving Certificate Ordinary - Good computer skills preferably to ECDL level
(Full-time Job for anyone willing to learn) WHY JOBSBRIDGE?

Web/Graphic Designer
Where - Passion for Creative Ltd
Education Requirements: Third Level - third level qualification in web/graphic design or related field
The intern will gain practical experience in all areas of web and graphic design, including software programmes such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign as well as HTML, CSS and Dreamweaver. (Learn it in 1 year of college)
(Full-time Junior position in that field) WHY JOBSBRIDGE?

Car Sales Executive
Where - Bolands
The intern will gain practical experience in the field of Trainee Car Sales Executive in retail sales and customer care and satisfaction.
Education Requirements: Leaving Certificate Ordinary -
(Full-time Job for anyone willing to learn) WHY JOBSBRIDGE?:mad:

Documentation Administrator
Where - Teva
The intern will gain practical experience in Microsoft Office including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, General Administrative Duties (LAUGHABLE):D
Electronic Documentation Management Software, Document generation, Archiving of Documents and Retains, Pharmaceutical Regulations(LEARNABLE)
(Full-time Job for anyone willing to learn) WHY JOBSBRIDGE?:mad:

There are loads of examples, Im sure this is only a % of a % :mad::mad::mad:

CuriousG

rude awakening wrote: »

This is only a sample of why Waterford/Wexford/Kilkenny is suffering

Administrator
The intern will gain practical experience in an insurance environment, providing support to all departments. The intern will receive formal/informal training in the following diary management(a schedule), switchboards(a phone) and telephone manners(comes naturally), communications(comes naturally) and database management(Trainable). On completion the intern will have attained skills in busy office and database management, and expanded their communication skills.
Education Requirements: Leaving Certificate Ordinary - or equivalent
(Full-time Job for anyone willing to learn) WHY JOBSBRIDGE?

Sales & Office Administrator
Where - Enerpower
The intern will gain practical experience in the work of sales, office administration, customer service and general administration(Trainable). The intern will receive formal/informal training in the following sales, marketing, administration including basic accounts and social media(facebook) in business. On completion the intern will have attained skills in all areas of working in an office environment including sales, marketing, accounts and general office administration.
Education Requirements: Leaving Certificate Ordinary - Good computer skills preferably to ECDL level
(Full-time Job for anyone willing to learn) WHY JOBSBRIDGE?

Web/Graphic Designer
Where - Passion for Creative Ltd
Education Requirements: Third Level - third level qualification in web/graphic design or related field
The intern will gain practical experience in all areas of web and graphic design, including software programmes such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign as well as HTML, CSS and Dreamweaver. (Learn it in 1 year of college)
(Full-time Junior position in that field) WHY JOBSBRIDGE?

Car Sales Executive
Where - Bolands
The intern will gain practical experience in the field of Trainee Car Sales Executive in retail sales and customer care and satisfaction.
Education Requirements: Leaving Certificate Ordinary -
(Full-time Job for anyone willing to learn) WHY JOBSBRIDGE?:mad:

Documentation Administrator
Where - Teva
The intern will gain practical experience in Microsoft Office including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, General Administrative Duties (LAUGHABLE):D
Electronic Documentation Management Software, Document generation, Archiving of Documents and Retains, Pharmaceutical Regulations(LEARNABLE)
(Full-time Job for anyone willing to learn) WHY JOBSBRIDGE?:mad:

There are loads of examples, Im sure this is only a % of a % :mad::mad::mad:

Also one for a Fitness Instructor in Curves...... A bit of a joke considering they only take on people at entry level anyway, and it cannot really be classed as a gym as such.

I am getting so fed up of looking at FAS daily, in the hope there will be something...... even a good quality intersnship or a crap job as last resort, but there never is! It is always rubbish that will help no one!

rude awakening

Agreed
The document admin role is also advertised for a pharma comp in Carlow, but the requirements are ridiculous:

• 3rd level qualification with a minimum of 8 years experience working in a similar role ideally within the pharmaceutical industry or similar working environment. (SERIOUSLY??? )
• Demonstrated knowledge of compliance documentation management and approval processes. (Comes with practice)
• Knowledge and experience of GMP and GDP in a pharmaceutical environment.(Comes with practice and training)
• Familiarity with automated approval systems such as Trackwise, Documentum etc (who will have this?? )

This is my point regarding in-house training

CuriousG

rude awakening wrote: »

Agreed
The document admin role is also advertised for a pharma comp in Carlow, but the requirements are ridiculous:

• 3rd level qualification with a minimum of 8 years experience working in a similar role ideally within the pharmaceutical industry or similar working environment. (SERIOUSLY??? )

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

A perfect example of how this is being abused.

Also seen WLRFM has an internship up..

donegal11

Wonder what screening goes into positions. How can a deli/shop assistant ever be classed as an internship or positions that imply years of experience.

ABajaninCork

Prospective Jobsbridge sponsors are not supposed to ask for experience. I've reported several ads that apparently are asking for it, and they have been removed. Of course, it doesn't mean that the offending words are not simply removed and re-submitted. Neither does it mean that the candidates aren't 'screened out' at interview to get the people 'needed'.

The examples above show that the screening process is not working and needs to be tightened up.

Those highlighted should be forwarded to the ScamBridge' site for naming and shaming. I might also drop a line to info@scambridge.org to ask what will be done with the info gathered.

micromary

Well done to Paul Murphy. As for Bruton and the Dept of Social Protection they wud say anything to say that it was a success which is complete bulls**t. I reckon that Bruton and Burton shud be put on a internship as they are brutal at their jobs. I even went out of my way to go to a internship interview on Monday spending ages getting there, and spent ages at the interview as the person interviewing me went thru company accts, stock, payroll etc. I was advised that I would be called this morning regardless. Still no word back. I will ring trw but that is not the point. So frustrating:mad:

ABajaninCork

rude awakening wrote: »

This is only a sample of why Waterford/Wexford/Kilkenny is suffering

Administrator
The intern will gain practical experience in an insurance environment, providing support to all departments. The intern will receive formal/informal training in the following diary management(a schedule), switchboards(a phone) and telephone manners(comes naturally), communications(comes naturally) and database management(Trainable). On completion the intern will have attained skills in busy office and database management, and expanded their communication skills.
Education Requirements: Leaving Certificate Ordinary - or equivalent
(Full-time Job for anyone willing to learn) WHY JOBSBRIDGE?

Sales & Office Administrator
Where - Enerpower
The intern will gain practical experience in the work of sales, office administration, customer service and general administration(Trainable). The intern will receive formal/informal training in the following sales, marketing, administration including basic accounts and social media(facebook) in business. On completion the intern will have attained skills in all areas of working in an office environment including sales, marketing, accounts and general office administration.
Education Requirements: Leaving Certificate Ordinary - Good computer skills preferably to ECDL level
(Full-time Job for anyone willing to learn) WHY JOBSBRIDGE?

Web/Graphic Designer
Where - Passion for Creative Ltd
Education Requirements: Third Level - third level qualification in web/graphic design or related field
The intern will gain practical experience in all areas of web and graphic design, including software programmes such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign as well as HTML, CSS and Dreamweaver. (Learn it in 1 year of college)
(Full-time Junior position in that field) WHY JOBSBRIDGE?

Car Sales Executive
Where - Bolands
The intern will gain practical experience in the field of Trainee Car Sales Executive in retail sales and customer care and satisfaction.
Education Requirements: Leaving Certificate Ordinary -
(Full-time Job for anyone willing to learn) WHY JOBSBRIDGE?:mad:

Documentation Administrator
Where - Teva
The intern will gain practical experience in Microsoft Office including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, General Administrative Duties (LAUGHABLE):D
Electronic Documentation Management Software, Document generation, Archiving of Documents and Retains, Pharmaceutical Regulations(LEARNABLE)
(Full-time Job for anyone willing to learn) WHY JOBSBRIDGE?:mad:

There are loads of examples, Im sure this is only a % of a % :mad::mad::mad:

Forward those to the Scambridge website!

rude awakening

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Forward those to the Scambridge website!

Done!!!!

micromary

I advise everybody who has a bad story to go onto scambridge. Btw send a msg to Richard Bruton re the situation. It more then likely won't be read. However just looked at his so called blog. Last entry January 2011 before he got into govt. Says it all about this current govt.

ABajaninCork

Micromary: It is Joan Burton, the Welfare minister who department administers the Jobbridge scheme. You need to address your concerns to her. Not that you'll get an answer of course...

micromary

Yep I know, but it was John Bruton who is raving how much of a success it is and that 37% of people working on the scheme got full-time jobs afterwards. I asked him to produce the facts. Again it won't be read but I got it off my chest:)

ABajaninCork

OIC!! Fire away then...:D

sky2424

Thought this site might be of interest http://www.scambridge.org/

Ref http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0926/jobbridge-jobs-unemployment-paul-murphy.html

The article is as follows "Paul Murphy also said the JobBridge scheme has been used by some companies to cynically exploit unemployed people.

The MEP has set up a website called ScamBridge.org to give people, what he said is, an opportunity to share stories of exploitation.

The JobBridge scheme was set up by the Government in summer 2011 and provides work experience placements for a six or nine-month period.

Interns receive €50 extra per week on top of their social welfare entitlements as part of the programme.

The Department of Social Protection has defended the scheme, saying 37% of those who have finished the programme have progressed into employment.

It also said that a variety of control measures have been introduced to protect the scheme and ensure its integrity.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton also defended JobBridge, saying it was very successful.

He said young people coming out of college are in a Catch-22 situation, where they do not have the necessary work experience to get a job.

The internship programme, he said, helps them get that vital experience."

Worztron

On TV3 news this eve. http://www.scambridge.org

ABajaninCork

It's already been mentioned on the previous page...

Gary The Gamer

I have been campaigning against this scheme since 2007 or 2008 when it was called WPP. The level of media interest has been minimal to say the least and it has wreaked havoc with the working lives and rights of young people.

miss choc

I never tried the JB thing until this Summer I wasn't working so I thought I would give it a go - it would look good on the CV. I started a role in July on a 9 mth contract and didnt accept another one because it was further away and only for 6 mths
I told the other crowd I couldnt take the job as I had got another (the one I wanted) they were sorry not to have me as I fitted the role and there may have been a chance I would have been kept on but I took the chance with this 9 mth place as it was near, longer contract and a reputable public service company.
Anyway came back from my holidays on Monday all happy with chocs for my team only to be brought in and told by manager they had no more work for me so they were cutting my job bridge contract short. TBH I wasnt shocked for the last 10 weeks I had been there I was been changed around desks 9 times (when someone was sick, on hols)I moved to theirs I lost count of the number of times I had to ring IT to set me up on printers, outlook, folders etc it was embarassing and I was so bored there I could go through a day with so much as getting some photocopying, scanning and a bit of emailing to do. I am in my 30's not a school leaver :rolleyes: I was secretly pleased when I was told they had no work for me as I didnt know how they would stretch it out until end of March. What I am cross about thought is that if they know it wasnt that busy they should have just got a temp in for 3 months but where probably too stingy to pay an agency. Now I can only do 7 mths with another host because of there fault. Didnt even get to check my emails in case I had work stuff on them as some clients would email me I was literally standing at the teams desk (cos I had no desk) so she could tell the rest of the team in the meeting room across the way I was leaving.
I thought it was handled badly and didnt even get a box of chocs for my work it was me giving them chocs on the morning from my hols how ironic is that. Anyway manager apologied and said she would give me a reference I told her also of my grievances about the lack of work I had and the stupidity of not having my own desk (there were two empty desks on the floor beside HR but because of confidentiality, policy protocol blah blah HR wouldn't let anyone sit there so stupid.
Anyway that is my dealings with JB I personally think it is a cheapo way for big companies to employ someone ie slave labour I only took it as it was a different sector for me and I was interested in tourism but got my fingers burnt I will be more careful in checking a company has work for me in future hopefully I will get a job though instead.

ABajaninCork

Miss Choc. I'm sorry for your trouble. It's awful the way you've been treated. Can you not report what has happened to you? I'd also put the story up on the ScamBridge website...

miss choc

Yeah I did that well I'm waiting to get a letter first from them so I can bring it to Social Welfare next week to sign back on. Seemingly though once they give a weeks notice to you (which they did but I wasnt hanging around for nothing) it ok same as it the intern gets a job they can go in a week. It more the way that if they knew there wasnt much work for 9 mths they shouldnt have took on a JB just a temp and the changing of desks 9 times was ridiculous in a large public body. Those big companies can seem to take on people for nothing and dump them when they feel like it.

velleity

Search manager on the JobBridge internship listing.

66 jobs come up. How the hell can you be a manager and an intern at the same time?

Search for executive brings up 91 jobs.

There is clearly no one at all monitoring this to make sure interns aren't being exploited.

I'm half expecting to see JobBridge advertising for JobBridge interns in next few weeks.

sligoface

i've been on the jobbridge scheme now for about 12 weeks. i was excited about it because i was meant to learn how the organization was run, as well as help with marketing and promotion, and i thought it would be interesting and i would be learning useful skills. unfortunately, i feel i am being exploited. i am not learning anything i didn't know already, i am simply doing the crap work that my 'mentor' doesn't want to, like typing piles of stuff, doing piles of direct mailings which i type, print, stuff and deliver to the post office myself, and updating databases. i know someone has to do this work and i wouldn't mind if i was learning valuable skills part of the time but my whole day is usually boring and menial tasks. again, if i am being paid (and by paid i mean an hourly wage, not the tenner a day i get from jobbridge) i'm more than happy to do menial and boring tasks, but i'm meant to be learning something to 'bridge' me into a paid position.

also, i know i am taking income away from another person - since i happen to know a bit of photoshop they have me doing design work that they used to pay a free lance designer to do, they were small enough jobs but required regularly which was probably handy for him. however, the other adobe design programs that i am not experienced in, would like to learn more about and are actually more appropriate for design are not there and they won't buy them.

but what really makes me mad is that this week and several others, my mentor has taken half the week off to go and attend a course, but not before giving me a load of work to do while she's away. so i'm the intern, she's the paid employee, but she's the one who is actually learning new skills while i do the drudge work! also, when i have an idea about something, it gets shot down. only her ideas are implemented - but i do the actual work. and when i present her with something i have spent loads of time on and did the best job i can (often with vague or incomplete instructions) she then nitpicks and wants stupid things changed (things like moving type up a line or down!)

and yes i know it will look good on a CV, etc. but i actually have loads of experience already (albeit in fields not directly related to my field of study) and a degree, but there just aren't many jobs around here at the moment. the only reason i am holding on to this internship is because i get on well with the other workers there, they're all quite nice, and the extra 50 euro a week makes a big difference when i would only get 188 otherwise, esp. with the winter coming up (christmas, oil, etc.) also i'm afraid that i'll have a problem with the dole office if i quit, even though the internship is clearly not being used properly. and i have doubts about the positive influence an internship can have on a CV as well. why in the world would any prospective employer offer me anything resembling a decent wage when I've been happy to work full time for free?

nearly forgot to mention they recently advertised a role for a marketing assistant for 19.5 hours per week on the community employment scheme. basically the same job I am doing on another scheme. This after they told me to my face during the job interview that if i did well during the internship and they had the money in their budget, i could be kept on. well obviously they have no plans of hiring anyone that has to be paid, they are just going to take advantage of one scheme or another, doesn't matter what you call it, CE, WPP, jobbridge. So if I'm not going to be kept on by my host organization and I'm not learning new skills for my CV that would make me more employable elsewhere, how is this scheme going to help me get myself off the dole and into a job?
i know this is a major rant but i went from being depressed at being unemployed and starting to believe i am worthless, lazy, all the other things many people will say about anyone on the dole (even though I had previously worked since I was 16) to feeling like a complete mug. In the beginning I was glad to have something to wake up for, but now I know I'm just waking up to walk into a completely unfair situation each day.

yore

Gary The Gamer wrote: »

I have been campaigning against this scheme since 2007 or 2008 when it was called WPP. The level of media interest has been minimal to say the least and it has wreaked havoc with the working lives and rights of young people.

Have you been on the dole since 2007 or 2008?

yore

CuriousG wrote: »

Probably because the whole point of this scheme is to BRIDGE you to a JOB. What's the point in companies taking on all these interns if there isn't a job afterwards -sure, you might be lucky enough to get one somewhere else, but that shouldn't be the case after most definitely doing the company a favour for so many months. It's obvious you haven't had much experience 'on the dole' if you think that people would rather 'sit and stagnate' ...

You didn't grasp the pertinent word of my question. I'll give it again.
Why should you need the same company to employ you?

Get the experience and use it to get a paid job somewhere else. Why stay in a place where you've already been pigeonholed as the intern they used to get to make the tea or do the boring work nobody else wants to do, but that everyone has to start on.

CuriousG

yore wrote: »

You didn't grasp the pertinent word of my question. I'll give it again.
Why should you need the same company to employ you?

Get the experience and use it to get a paid job somewhere else. Why stay in a place where you've already been pigeonholed as the intern they used to get to make the tea or do the boring work nobody else wants to do, but that everyone has to start on.

It's not that easy. If the company has enough work to take someone on they should be REQUIRED to at least attempt to keep people on afterwards, not just hire people on scheme after scheme.

If I was another employer, the first thing in my mind would be, well why didn't they get a job where they worked 9 months for free off their own back?

It reflects very badly on people, and most definitely on the employers involved.

Using your logic, people would just hire interns and say feck it, they can go to another company...... Everyone does that, then there is no companies left to go to!

In short, if they aren't prepared to take people on, they shouldn't be allowed to have interns, it is as simple as that.

I would be extremely insulted if I put my heart and soul into working for a company off my own back, only for them to turn around and say well, we gave you experience...Now get out.

rude awakening

yore wrote: »

Why should you need the same company to employ you?

Because:

• Your being used by the Host Organizations(HO) to do work they dont want to do.
• Your coming out with on average €162(thats €400-(€188+€50)) less a week then an employee on minimum wage, thats €1458 over 9 months.
• HO's arnt keeping on employees after the "contract", they are just hiring in the next person willing to do a full-time employees work for nothing!!!

CuriousG

rude awakening wrote: »

Because:

• Your being used by the Host Organizations(HO) to do work they dont want to do.
• Your coming out with on average €162(thats €400-(€188+€50)) less a week then an employee on minimum wage, thats €1458 over 9 months.
• HO's arnt keeping on employees after the "contract", they are just hiring in the next person willing to do a full-time employees work for nothing!!!

Yes, and people forget, that some of us are only on 100 a week.... 150 a week, for 40 (+) hours work, and then being told where to go? That's just outrageous.

That is exactly why there IS no jobs.

Handsome Bob

CuriousG wrote: »

yore wrote: »

You didn't grasp the pertinent word of my question. I'll give it again.
Why should you need the same company to employ you?

Get the experience and use it to get a paid job somewhere else. Why stay in a place where you've already been pigeonholed as the intern they used to get to make the tea or do the boring work nobody else wants to do, but that everyone has to start on.

It's not that easy. If the company has enough work to take someone on they should be REQUIRED to at least attempt to keep people on afterwards, not just hire people on scheme after scheme.

If I was another employer, the first thing in my mind would be, well why didn't they get a job where they worked 9 months for free off their own back?

It reflects very badly on people, and most definitely on the employers involved.

Using your logic, people would just hire interns and say feck it, they can go to another company...... Everyone does that, then there is no companies left to go to!

In short, if they aren't prepared to take people on, they shouldn't be allowed to have interns, it is as simple as that.

I would be extremely insulted if I put my heart and soul into working for a company off my own back, only for them to turn around and say well, we gave you experience...Now get out.

I'd be horrified if an employer judged me for not getting a job after 9 months with the place I was interning for. It is just never that simple to say that the intern must have not been good enough. You could argue that one could outline in the cover letter the reasons why you weren't taken on, but I wouldn't feel that I'd have to justify myself like that.

CuriousG

S. De Sousa wrote: »

I'd be horrified if an employer judged me for not getting a job after 9 months with the place I was interning for. It is just never that simple to say that the intern must have not been good enough. You could argue that one could outline in the cover letter the reasons why you weren't taken on, but I wouldn't feel that I'd have to justify myself like that.

Surely though, you'd expect if someone had enough work for an intern who they took on for the sole purpose of getting employment, that they should be taken on afterwards?

Yes, I see what you're saying - but being realistic, some people will have that as a first thought, whether it is fair or not.

Handsome Bob

CuriousG wrote: »

S. De Sousa wrote: »

I'd be horrified if an employer judged me for not getting a job after 9 months with the place I was interning for. It is just never that simple to say that the intern must have not been good enough. You could argue that one could outline in the cover letter the reasons why you weren't taken on, but I wouldn't feel that I'd have to justify myself like that.

Surely though, you'd expect if someone had enough work for an intern who they took on for the sole purpose of getting employment, that they should be taken on afterwards?

Yes, I see what you're saying - but being realistic, some people will have that as a first thought, whether it is fair or not.

Indeed I would, I think if someone demonstrates their ability on a consistent basis and prove to be an asset, then they deserve to be taken on.

JohnMarston

CuriousG wrote: »

It's not that easy. If the company has enough work to take someone on they should be REQUIRED to at least attempt to keep people on afterwards, not just hire people on scheme after scheme.

If I was another employer, the first thing in my mind would be, well why didn't they get a job where they worked 9 months for free off their own back?

It reflects very badly on people, and most definitely on the employers involved.

Using your logic, people would just hire interns and say feck it, they can go to another company...... Everyone does that, then there is no companies left to go to!

In short, if they aren't prepared to take people on, they shouldn't be allowed to have interns, it is as simple as that.

I would be extremely insulted if I put my heart and soul into working for a company off my own back, only for them to turn around and say well, we gave you experience...Now get out.

The place i'm interning at on the Job Bridge scheme has no money to hire someone for the position i'm working. So i'm out on my ear in a few months.
Its tough to keep motivated when you know that for a certainty.

Taking on one intern after another finishes seems to be a common practice among companies and institutions using this scheme

rude awakening

JohnMarston wrote: »

The place i'm interning at on the Job Bridge scheme has no money to hire someone for the position i'm working. So i'm out on my ear in a few months.
Its tough to keep motivating when you know that for a certainty.

Agreed
I kept hearing the phrases "while your working with us", "while your here", "for the time your here" etc etc.
Motivation just kept going down

JohnMarston

rude awakening wrote: »

Agreed
I kept hearing the phrases "while your working with us", "while your here", "for the time your here" etc etc.
Motivation just kept going down

Same.As well as that i'm subject to frequent (usually weekly) meetings with my mentor so she can make sure i'm staying on top of my work, and to pile more on.

So they can get their 'moneys worth' i suppose

miss choc

guys at least you have work to do I was on a 9 mth and told to go last Monday because they had nothing for me to do, my title was a fund events administrator and all I was doing was photocopying, scanning etc towards the end the first month was good as they were in their busy season but it weeded off towards end of August.
Came back from hols on Mon and given the wks notice. I knew they were treating it as a joke when I had no proper desk of my own changing around 9 times since start of July is a farce :mad: Now I can concentrate hopefully on getting a proper job or at least another jb with hopefully a decent company

rude awakening

No one is being singled out here MC
We have all had to do the Admin that no one else wanted to do, the hard work that no one else wanted to do, not invited to the closed door meetings cos were just temps etc.

All our situations are in theory "the same", there's no "idleast" about it

sky2424

This is from the scambridge site too. Thought there was definitely some good ideas worth implementing

What’s the Alternative to ScamBridge?

There are thousands of interns currently on JobBridge placement schemes. Measures need to be implemented immediately to improve their working conditions:

• There should be an immediate investigation and review of all current JobBridge internships – including full publication of all statistics relating to it – the number of participants, the names of all companies involved and how many interns they took on, the number of interns who found employment with the same company.
• A thorough vetting procedure of all internships offered by organisations should be implemented – an in-depth look at the working environment and an in-depth proposal of what the intern will learn.
• Companies should not be allowed to hire interns consecutively to do the same job by simply changing the job title
• The current practise of monitoring only 5% of internships must be replaced. The internships must be policed properly to avoid exploitation. All interns should be monitored and on a regional basis, monthly meetings of interns and monitors must take place so that any problems can be aired and discussed.
• Any company who is found to have used an intern to avoid hiring a member of staff should be made to reimburse the state for welfare costs of that intern, and any tax breaks received. The intern should be compensated for the time worked at the agreed rate of pay.
• An internship should be an opportunity for the intern to learn not to become an unpaid member of staff. Any work deemed to be unnecessary to the learning experience should not be fulfilled by the intern. For example, any company that does not currently have an online presence should not be able to hire an ‘intern’ to develop a website for them.
• Interns should be reimbursed by the company for the cost of travel to and from work as this often the cost of this exceeds the €50 top up the intern receives.
• Interns must not be put under pressure by the company to avoid taking necessary time off , as set out by the JobBridge rules.
• A company that takes on an intern must provide a paid job to the intern on the completion of an internship, unless they can provide valid reasons relating the to the intern’s performance or their financial status that justifies not taking them on.
• Interns who partake in a project for which a bonus is given to staff should also receive a share of the bonus.

sky2424

On that has anyone actually had their expenses paid by their host company?

miss choc

Ha ha oh that would be pushing the boat out, no I paid my way in and out did have free tea and coffee though and loads of stationery :rolleyes: Even though it was a big company I didnt get free tickets that was only for the long term staff and fat cats there.

allibastor

People,

you are kidding yourself if you think the job bridge thing will change or get better, it is in the interest of the governemnt to let it run and for companies to use it, they make so much in tax from companies and the profit they make that if the company wants to use a little free labour, so be it. the income tax tax of 1 person will be significantly lower then the proportionate input to increase in overall financial gain to the company, and that thye keep the wage cost dow only adds to the money the company can eventually use to pay back higher earning shareholders. this is a system that has been in place in the states for years and hasnt changed, so its only normal that the old paddy's will use it and abuse it more so. and with people having the choice of sitting at home bored or doing this, i know which one will win out.

ABajaninCork

allibastor wrote: »

People,

you are kidding yourself if you think the job bridge thing will change or get better, it is in the interest of the governemnt to let it run and for companies to use it, they make so much in tax from companies and the profit they make that if the company wants to use a little free labour, so be it. the income tax tax of 1 person will be significantly lower then the proportionate input to increase in overall financial gain to the company, and that thye keep the wage cost dow only adds to the money the company can eventually use to pay back higher earning shareholders. this is a system that has been in place in the states for years and hasnt changed, so its only normal that the old paddy's will use it and abuse it more so. and with people having the choice of sitting at home bored or doing this, i know which one will win out.

Sadly, you may be right. The UK Govt tried this same crap at home too. Tesco, Sainsbury, Asda, Burger King and Boots amongst others eagerly signed up to it. Tesco's were asking for shelf stackers to work as 'interns'. Caused such a stink at home, in the end Tesco stores were picketed and the rest of the big companies took fright and withdrew from the scheme. Seems to have gone very quiet since!

I'm not sure the same effect will take place here. Ireland being the 'village' it is, people seem to be afraid of reprisals; e.g. Welfare being stopped, even though we're told refusal to take a Jobbridge place should not impact a claim.

micromary

While I have found good survey work on the side for €100 cash in hand for 2 hours work through a friend. I am going to start next week doing a few hours. It works out a hell of a lot better at this rate then doing anything I can see on Jobbridge at present. Also as I say it is deeply deeply frustrating to go a long way to interviews for Jobbridge and the f***ers dont bother even replying back to u as promised.

micromary

Btw after 2 weeks I get a reply back from a jobbridge "employer" at just before 10pm saying they want me in for interview trw?? This is the 5th mail like this and I went into the last 4 on very short notice and except for 1 have not heard from the other 3. This time I just advised that I am not available and have other things. They obviously expect us to be waiting for THEIR mail and go in without little notice to the other side of Dublin. Rediculous

yore

allibastor wrote: »

People,

you are kidding yourself if you think the job bridge thing will change or get better, it is in the interest of the governemnt to let it run and for companies to use it, they make so much in tax from companies and the profit they make that if the company wants to use a little free labour, so be it. the income tax tax of 1 person will be significantly lower then the proportionate input to increase in overall financial gain to the company, and that thye keep the wage cost dow only adds to the money the company can eventually use to pay back higher earning shareholders. this is a system that has been in place in the states for years and hasnt changed, so its only normal that the old paddy's will use it and abuse it more so. and with people having the choice of sitting at home bored or doing this, i know which one will win out.

That's utter mad conspiracy sh1te.

Some people here contend that if jobsbridge were scrapped, then those internships would magically convert to well paid job.

So lets do the maths. Jimmy loses his job and signs up to do an internship for a job that normally the company would pay 1000 quid a week for this position.

scenario A) Jobsbridge stays. The government pay roughly 250 to Jimmy. The company makes an extra 1000 profit from the savings on which they pay corporation tax of 12.5%. Net gain to the government - negative 125

scenario jobsbridge gets scrapped. The company has to pay 1000 quid extraa week. The government loses the 125 tax income on this. However it also saves on the $250 it was paying. Net gain +125. But wait, now Jimmy will be paying tax. Lets give him an optimistic rate of 35%. That's another 350 quid. Total gain of 475 quid.

So are you really saying that the government is keeping jobsbridge there for their own benefit...As you say, driving down wages of everyone so they have even less tax to take in?

At least come up with an argument that makes sense