The Jobbridge Scandal

yop

How can companies be allowed to label Graphic designers, chemists, IT Technicians and Cloud specialists as jobbridge! Whats even funnier is that one of the companies had a big announcement with Mr Kenny down and everyone one of the jobs hired for so far has been scambridge!!!
My wife is currently looking and was told today in the dole office that she had to apply for one of the roles otherwise her dole will be cut if she hasn't sorted something in 3 months, this is after working for 17 years in a managerial role!! I shouldn't be surprised by it but I hadn't realised how bad it was!

Bongalongherb

I'll have a look at a few courses that she might like. There are a good few decent ones out there for sure.

Thanks.

Tombi!

Tell her also that several courses do have work placement as part of the course so depending on the course and the company, she could be seeing herself with a job at the end of it.

Daenarys

Anonymous24 wrote: »

Currently doing job bridge for almost a month. It really is soul destroying. I'm doing a 40 hour week and commuting to it. The work is so mundane!! I'm basically doing data entry in an extremely quiet office. Even though my other colleagues don't know I'm job bridge i'm still not treated like a regular employee. Everyone has laptops and I have to work off an actually computer. They can bring their laptops to our meetings and I have jot everything down in a note pad. I'm at a distinct advantage in meetings because of this. When asked could I bring my own personal laptop I was told I can sit beside someone and look into their screen. It's absolute horse sh*t, not to mention a complete waste of time.

What's really grinding my gears though is there's FA training involved. This is the only reason I went for the job, to gain experience. When I'm given other projects I have no guidance to go by at all, barely even have anyone to report too.

Working a 40 hour week and commuting to it is even worse because by the time I get home the last thing I want to do is sit back at a computer and apply for jobs!!

If anyone is considering doing job bridge I would not recommend it, especially a full-time position.

Oh no

I've had bad experiences with JobBridge too but a company I approached 5 months ago asking for an internship (in an area I have never worked and only with a Fas Fetac course in it under my belt) came back to me and said they could proceed now.

So I've accepted it, viewing it as a opportunity and play the long game so to speak.

I am starting next week and I cannot tell you how nervous I am about it and sincerely hope it doesn't end up like yours Anon. The abuse is dreadful in this scheme.

I'm hoping that because I went to them rather responding to an advert that they will treat me like a human in this job. Fingers crossed

Tombi!

If you're being taken advantage of then speak up to the people in the DSP.
The only bit of advice I could give you which you should pretty much never forget is: so long as you're doing "something", they'll stop being so hard on you. So even if you did have to leave your jobbridge but say you're planning on doing a course it's basically "well, they dropped the noe thing but they're trying again so its okay".

Nate--IRL--

Daenarys wrote: »

Oh no

........................

I am starting next week and I cannot tell you how nervous I am about it and sincerely hope it doesn't end up like yours Anon. The abuse is dreadful in this scheme.

I'm hoping that because I went to them rather responding to an advert that they will treat me like a human in this job. Fingers crossed

Well if it helps any, I did a Jobbridge with a company that actually gave a fúck. I received invaluable training in completely new field, and had a job by the time I'd finished the scheme.

I'm happy to say the company continues to use JobBridge and since I moved to full time employment, 50% of the interns after me were offered a job too. Also, the lad that just started with us a while a go, by my judgement, is very likely also have a job offer too.

There are some success stories out there, few and far between, but they are there.

Nate

Daenarys

Daenarys wrote: »

Oh no

I've had bad experiences with JobBridge too but a company I approached 5 months ago asking for an internship (in an area I have never worked and only with a Fas Fetac course in it under my belt) came back to me and said they could proceed now.

So I've accepted it, viewing it as a opportunity and play the long game so to speak.

I am starting next week and I cannot tell you how nervous I am about it and sincerely hope it doesn't end up like yours Anon. The abuse is dreadful in this scheme.

I'm hoping that because I went to them rather responding to an advert that they will treat me like a human in this job. Fingers crossed

Go into this with an open mind. I did a JobBridge, even though I was well qualified for the work and got a job at the end. Like any new job, it takes a few weeks to settle in and get the lie of the land. Follow your own instincts and make the most of it. If it's not what was advertised, you can walk away at any time and leave yourself free to try another. Good Luck.

Bongalongherb

LOL was listening to Niall Boylan on classic hits 4fm just there, about the issue of bringing in a card system for social welfare recipients, and at the end of the show they played their own advert looking for a jobbridge intern... you want to work in radio ? 'saying you have to be on the live register to be able to apply' so obviously they are themselves looking for interns in classic hits 4fm. Seems appropriate regarding their live show tonight.

carzony

This scheme must be due to end soon though? If the economy is really on the up then there should be no need for this scheme any longer.

The Dogs Bollix

carzony wrote: »

This scheme must be due to end soon though? If the economy is really on the up then there should be no need for this scheme any longer.

What will they do with all the jobbridge interns? Somebody, or some scheme has to take them. If there aren't enough courses, TUS, CE or gateway placements, somebody has to take advantage of them.

There was talk of scrapping this a couple of months ago. Its still here. Its a bloody joke.

Its soul destroying with no job prospects after. How do I swing it with employers that I was in a building cleaning, but I'm qualified to do more.

I'm being taken advantage of but I'm allowing it too. So long without work. Then you have social welfare threatening you. I had a wagon last year, which made it very stressful for me.

Hermy

Brutal Deluxe wrote: »

The problem is that Jobbridge is actually a good scheme within reason but too many companies abuse it.

Couldn't disagree more.
Jobbridge has effctively normalised the notion of unpaid labour and thus completely distorted the jobs market.

scamalert

How can companies be allowed to label Graphic designers, chemists, IT Technicians and Cloud specialists as jobbridge!

I actually think that only such entry jobs should be allowed on JB scheme,first of all its great opportunity to change fields and gain knowledge-since most of such professions require at least couple years in college otherwise,and serious amount of learning etc.Where here is such jobs are put on you can get on the wagon straight away,and if you have ability to learn fast value for learning such stuff would be great experience on cv to move into it full time eventually.

Some might argue that it should be payed positions-and they actually are highly paid say if you have extensive knowledge and portfolio for graphics design and can show your skills there shouldn't be any troubles landing in a nice company,same with IT tech support-since most companies require at least knowledge of couple OS systems,administration,programming,networking experience of 3-5 years.But those who studied and know say single system in and out,like java,css,or other programing skills or ability to solve them they should be able to show that in interviews.

So either people that have such qualifications weren't interested and just did it for the sake of it,and didn't expand into the field,like progressing and learning on their own thus they would end up with only half skills needed at best.

As for WF office pushing her doing JB,she would of had to be at least 6 months signing on before they can do that.So its up to her does she want to remain and look for a job which most likely wont come anytime soon,or change the field which might work out well-since the jobs you mentioned are quite rear on JB.

That said government should really reconsider giving companies 7.5k-10k for hiring people to do any jobs and not paying anything-since it only encourages more proper jobs being lost-last one ive seen was cleaner for 40h week,for some gaa club-now such people should be banned form any hiring and just die out for using it for their own advantage.

Mint Aero

carzony wrote: »

This scheme must be due to end soon though? If the economy is really on the up then there should be no need for this scheme any longer.

I was job searching the past while. Had many offers of jobsbridge in my field, all of which I refused point blank. In the end got a real job with real salary. Never settle for less. Just because the government wants you to be a mindless sheep/slave in order to fund the European fat cats doesn't mean you should to be.

People in this country are way too passive and are essentially doormats when they allow the government to enslave us like this. Remember people, just because John and Mary down the road are slaves and the Big man in the town called Tom tells you should be too, it doesn't mean it's right. You're an adult, you're employable and you deserve to be paid for any work you do.

You're nothing more than a number to the government, the sole purpose of you participating in this slavery is to massage the figures. It is of no benefit to you whatsoever.

ihavenoname3

Mint Aero wrote: »

I was job searching the past while. Had many offers of jobsbridge in my field, all of which I refused point blank. In the end got a real job with real salary. Never settle for less. Just because the government wants you to be a mindless sheep/slave in order to fund the European fat cats doesn't mean you should to be.

People in this country are way too passive and are essentially doormats when they allow the government to enslave us like this. Remember people, just because John and Mary down the road are slaves and the Big man in the town called Tom tells you should be too, it doesn't mean it's right. You're an adult, you're employable and you deserve to be paid for any work you do.

You're nothing more than a number to the government, the sole purpose of you participating in this slavery is to massage the figures. It is of no benefit to you whatsoever.

I was told about an internship with a solicitor by the social welfare lately, they told me he was very interested in taking someone on, I had a feeling it might be jobbridge so I was thinking I bet he is. I said is this jobbridge? she said yes. I said I have no interest in doing that, she said thats ok. you have to stand up to these people and they wont try and push you around.

Harry Palmr

Hermy wrote: »

Couldn't disagree more.
Jobbridge has effctively normalised the notion of unpaid labour and thus completely distorted the jobs market.

THIS THIS THIS

While few will begrudge a lowly funded body like say an Arts centre using jobbridge to fill a role for minimal outlay when the position advertised is clearly just a basic job of work with little actual "learning" to speak of then the piss is being taken wholesale - just employ someone on proper terms you skinflints!

Tombi!

Hermy wrote: »

Couldn't disagree more.
Jobbridge has effctively normalised the notion of unpaid labour and thus completely distorted the jobs market.

I think it is a good scheme. The problem is that it's been abused. I still argue against it but to me the idea of it is good. How it's been regulated on the other hand has lead to the jobs that you or I would do at age 16 to require nine months of unpaid (well, the government "pays") work to stack shelves.

Don't get me wrong, I'd wager about 90% of the advertisements are just jokes but I think the scheme if it was properly regulated and implemented in a good manner, it'd be great. As it stands now, it's exactly as you said.

Hermy

Brutal Deluxe wrote: »

I think it is a good scheme...
...I'd wager about 90% of the advertisements are just jokes...

Given the wholesale abuse of the scheme and the apparent absence of anything to stop the abuse it begs the question what's good about it?

Heckler

I've just had a phone interview for an IT internship to be followed up with a face to face next week.

I'm well aware of companies exploiting the scheme but am hoping this place are genuine. The internship description is perfect for what I'm looking for. I was told that the last intern is now working there full time. Even if there is no employment at the end of it I think the experience would stand to me.

Better than sitting on my arse all day anyways.

darkpagandeath

Heckler wrote: »

I've just had a phone interview for an IT internship to be followed up with a face to face next week.

I'm well aware of companies exploiting the scheme but am hoping this place are genuine. The internship description is perfect for what I'm looking for. I was told that the last intern is now working there full time. Even if there is no employment at the end of it I think the experience would stand to me.

Better than sitting on my arse all day anyways.

Why should they get x amount of free work ? Back in my time You used to get an aptitude test then an interview. Then a job and a contract after 2 months. That was in IT.

Heckler

Heckler wrote: »

I've just had a phone interview for an IT internship to be followed up with a face to face next week.

I'm well aware of companies exploiting the scheme but am hoping this place are genuine. The internship description is perfect for what I'm looking for. I was told that the last intern is now working there full time. Even if there is no employment at the end of it I think the experience would stand to me.

Better than sitting on my arse all day anyways.

You have the right attitude. Go into it with an open mind and make the most of it. Good Luck.

Heckler

Deleted User wrote: »

You have the right attitude. Go into it with an open mind and make the most of it. Good Luck.

They do seem to be offering a proper mentorship and on the job training. If they do the experience will be invaluable. To the point where I'd turn down a unrelated full paying job in favour of it.

Tombi!

Hermy wrote: »

Given the wholesale abuse of the scheme and the apparent absence of anything to stop the abuse it begs the question what's good about it?

The aul "in theory" saying.
I mean they've got one year college courses that you get a level 6 or 7 degree at that runs one academic year for 30-40 hours a week (sept-may usually) but to work in Centra, I need nine months of experience of 30-40 hours.

The idea of it is good. The way it's done is incredibly stupid.

Heckler

darkpagandeath wrote: »

Why should they get x amount of free work ? Back in my time You used to get an aptitude test then an interview. Then a job and a contract after 2 months. That was in IT.

I know where you're coming from and its frustrating.

My last place of work closed after me being there 14 years. Spent a year on the dole and went back to college, just finished.

I saw this internship advertised and went for it. I don't care if they get free labour out of me. All I want is experience and on the job training.

If they keep me on at the end great. If they don't I have 9 months experience to add to my CV.

Daenarys

Heckler wrote: »

If they keep me on at the end great. If they don't I have 9 months experience to add to my CV.

That's how I'm viewing the internship I'm starting next week.

Good luck, hope it works out well for you!

Nate--IRL--

Daenarys wrote: »

That's how I'm viewing the internship I'm starting next week.

Good luck, hope it works out well for you!

Good luck all, I mean it. I hope it changes your life like it did mine...

Nate

The Dogs Bollix

I get the blame for things that go wrong.

The Dogs Bollix

The Dogs Bollix wrote: »

This is soul destroying bull crap. I am on one of these internships. All day cleaning. Career wise, I am in a building to where I want to get work. I knew what I was getting myself in for. I knew what I signed up for. Thought it would be my foot in the door.

Its soul destroying. I cry myself to sleep every single night.

Heard a bitching session about the intern, knocks your confidence. But so does being on the dole and the other schemes they have for you.

Month number 2: I'm still crying myself to sleep. Knowing you are capable of more. That and coming into find that another intern isn't doing their work so you have to do it.

ihavenoname3

The Dogs Bollix wrote: »

Month number 2: I'm still crying myself to sleep. Knowing you are capable of more. That and coming into find that another intern isn't doing their work so you have to do it.

would you emigrate?

Joshua J

The Dogs Bollix wrote: »

Month number 2: I'm still crying myself to sleep. Knowing you are capable of more. That and coming into find that another intern isn't doing their work so you have to do it.

Next time your boss gives you more work say you've got enough to be doing and can't take on anymore. If I was employed with a company on a full time contract, never mind a jobsbridge, who I thought was treating me unfairly you best believe we'd be having words. You need grow a pair. You've bollix in your name so start showing it.

ihavenoname3

Joshua J wrote: »

Next time your boss gives you more work say you've got enough to be doing and can't take on anymore. If I was employed with a company on a full time contract, never mind a jobsbridge, who I thought was treating me unfairly you best believe we'd be having words. You need grow a pair. You've bollix in your name so start showing it.

exactly, you always have to stand up for yourself when working for someone else, they will have a lot more respect for you if you do, otherwise you need to quit the job, if you hate it so much.