Seetec - JobPath

Cookiee

Hi everyone, I'm currently on JSA I have been for about 6 weeks since I finished a level 5 course where I was getting BTEA.

I got a letter last week from job path saying I'm selected and will have a call with an advisor. I've never been on jobpath before, and I'm slightly confused because I have plans to do a level 8 degree in September (on BTEA) so this is in two months (the social welfare know I have these plans).

I'm just wondering what is going to happen? Isn't jobpath designed to make the person get a full time job? If I'm in a full time job I obviously can't do a full time degree.

Has anyone had an experience like this where you plan to be on BTEA and do a full time course but get jobpath in the summer? Now obviously I haven't been accepted to the course yet, as I find out through the cao in early September, but I have full marks so I should be accepted.

I'm just confused as to what job path will do with me for 1-2 months as I read it's meant to be a year long program but if you're in full time education you can't do job path. Thanks!

Dempo1

Hi, unfortunately being on a JSA payment automatically includes you for possible selection for Jobspath, regardless of your previous BTEA or indeed you plans to do level 8. In essence your picked randomly as a recipient of JSA.

I won't go into what Jobspath is and its appalling history, if you search through various threads you'll get the picture.

All I can advise is take the call, Sign absolutely nothing (under no obligation), engage in the interim but explain your plans. Proceed with your plans Seperately and if approved for further BTEA this will take precedence as such.

Unfortunately there's an important thing to understand, if in receipt of JSA regardless of your intentions, you must be seeking employment, Jobspath companies are tasked with allegedly assisting jobseekers find employment. Follow their requests etc whilst Seperately focus on your next BTEA plans.

Search Turas Nua or Seetac for further info and shared experiences.

Cookiee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117662126#Comment_117662126

Thanks for your comment, I have read about jobpath and I can see its terrible, it's a shame they just randomly pick me.

I have a question, I read that there's two things they try have you sign, the personal progression plan and the data consent.

I read that the data consent is optional but the personal progression is mandatory, is this true? What happens if I sign the PPP and not the data consent? Or what happens if I sign neither, wouldn't they say I'm not engaging? Thanks 

TefalBrain

Refuse to engage with them is my advice to you. Seetec are absolute crooks.

Cookiee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117662225#Comment_117662225

I would like to but I can't afford to not engage and have my payment cut! It's unfortunate

LollipopJimmy

If you get a job for the 1-2 months you won't need to engage with them. Places are crying out for staff

Dempo1

Extremely important to engage in the interim, I strongly advise this as not too will possibly lead to your JSA being cut.

In essence the general consensus is you are under NO obligation to sign anything. The PPP is what it is, progression and if there's none, its meaningless.

My advice is to absolutely offer to engage, document everything and advise your not prepared to sign anything you don't fully understand, get an email address when that time comes, fully explain your desire to engage and mention your intentions not to sign anything. You can not legally be penalised for this.

Engage, Document everything, times of calls and save any SMS. Hopefully your further education plans will be sorted quickly before Seetac actually start engaging fully

Cookiee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117662260#Comment_117662260

I wouldn't mind this but am I able to get a job and still return to BTEA in September? I thought to get BTEA you have to be in receipt of a payment immediately before course starting, and if I get a job I won't be

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117662260#Comment_117662260

I see your point but the OP may not qualify for BTEA if not in receipt of a SW payment, also once referred to Jobspath even if a person gets a job and signs contracts with Seetac etc, they can continue to contact you and astonishingly a person's employer.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117662335#Comment_117662335

Yes, that would be a possible concern

Cookiee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117662278#Comment_117662278

Thanks, I definitely plan on engaging with them fully and telling them I will engage. That's good to hear I wouldn't get penalised for not signing, there seems to be conflicting posts about that online but after reading about it now it seems they can't do anything if I don't sign as long as I engage with the service. And thanks for tips, I plan to record all calls with them and emails etc. Since I hopefully start college in September they only really have a month or 2 max with me so I doubt much can be done in that time apart from a few phone calls maybe some CV and interview work, as if I'm in full time education I can't do jobpath. Thanks for advice! My call is tomorrow so I'm going to post what happened then

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117662352#Comment_117662352

Good luck, keep your thoughts to yourself etc and absolutely document everything, there are RAREand I mean RARE cases of positive Jobspath experiences but as long as you engage your adhering to your obligations 😏

Cookiee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117662368#Comment_117662368

Thank you! I feel better now and more prepared for my call tomorrow

mondeoman72

Download an app called cube acr. This records all calls. Tell them for clarity purposes, you keep concise records and your calls are recorded. It stops any misunderstandings down the line. My friend did that and they refused to talk to him. You are entitled to do it though

Cookiee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117662431#Comment_117662431

Thanks I'll check it out, even if I don't tell them I'm recording I understand it's still ok to record them?

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117662487#Comment_117662487

It is not, honestly I wouldn't be going down the road. There is strict obligations surrounding the recording of conversations. I've seen this raised before and whilst it is correct to say Seetac won't talk to you if conversations recorded, it only creates tension and negativity, just a humble opinion I might add.

Cookiee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117662511#Comment_117662511

Oh I thought Ireland has a one party consent rule, so one person of the call has to be aware of the recording, which would be me? I don't want tention with them so I might not bother to record but I'll see

Cookiee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117662431#Comment_117662431

I have a question, what happened when they refused to talk with him? Was he kicked off Job path? Or his payment cut? How would they progress with him if they don't want to talk with him

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117662528#Comment_117662528

Whatever about one party consent, I just feel its not a wise approach, that's just my opinion, just see how it goes, you'll soon get a feel for how to approach Seetac etc

mondeoman72

They told him he is paused until face to face meetings resume. It is funny, as when you ring seetec, the machine tells you all calls may be recorded for training and quality purposes. He does the same as it will help if anyone says "we didnt say that". It is kinda hard to understand how they say they do it, but then wont allow it. It is so important to have records.

mondeoman72

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117662511#Comment_117662511

To be honest, I fail to see the need to worry about upsetting SEETEC. They are not exactly the most respected company to be dealing with. It is not difficult to find what they have been upto by doing a simple google. Your records (phone conversations) will prevent any false allegations or misunderstandings.

https://www.letmegooglethat.com/?q=seetec+complaints+and+reviews

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117663974#Comment_117663974

I fully agree with your sentiments, I know all too well about Jobspath and the disgraceful Sham it is, personally, I dealt with Turas Nua but both from the same cloth.

My advice to OP is not out of concern about upsetting Seetac but to guide them through the process as they are new to Jobspath, I advise people to be seen to engage, document everything and be ultra cautious, certainly not cower to them. They'll bully and harass if permitted too, I on the other hand took them on and as I've discussed this on other threads. Needless to say neither will want me ever referred to them again 😏

mondeoman72

There was a report on boards recently that you if you log in to see the progression plan, there is a ryanair style opt in, which basically gives them permission to act on your behalf. In other words, you are agreeing to their contract/agreement/plan, even though you did not mean to.

Once agreed, you have to do as they tell you or they threaten you. Here is a small snippet of their Plan. If you look at the last line, you are agreeing to do an interview every day. How can you do that if you are not called for one? Gatecrash them maybe? This is a simple example, some of the terms I read said much sillier things.

Cookiee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117664272#Comment_117664272

Wow, thanks for that I won't be opting in to anything, I'll be careful with that. That's ridiculous 1 interview everyday 🤣

mondeoman72

They tell you that you can ignore that bit and this bit. But if it's an agreement you "signed" . a verbal agreement is not worth the "paper" it is written on. I think you are wise enough to see where this is going.

You don't sign agreements without reviewing them properly, so get it on paper or by email. Print it out and read it line by line. Query things like the interview a day, you cannot sign or agree to something you know you cannot do. Remember, being told to ignore that bit and this bit is not valid, the paper or electronic agreement cannot be superceded by "she told me to ignore that" etc etc

Cookiee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117664397#Comment_117664397

Thanks, I'll keep this all in mind, honestly don't think I'll sign a thing unless I fully understand and comfortable with it, otherwise I'll tell them I'm not comfortable signing but that I will engage fully with them without giving my signature

Cookiee

Had my call. It went well the women was nice, I explained to her I have data privacy concerns as they're a third party I didn't want to sign, and she said I am within my right not to sign, and I asked will I get penalised for not signing and she said no I won't, she said she made a note saying I will engage with the service but just not sign the PPP as they're a third party. So it went well! As for BTEA I told them my plans to return to college in September and they said that's fine, and when I get accepted to just let them know, and Job path would end as I return to education.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117667041#Comment_117667041

Excellent, well done, that's how it's done. Just be mindful to get cracking on the BTEA process

Cookiee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117667062#Comment_117667062

Thanks, so glad it went well, and yeah I'm filling in forms for BTEA today, usually I do this later on in September when I get accepted, but I'm taking no risks and putting it in early, I have already told the social about my plans back in June but didn't fill the the BTEA form yet, so that's getting done today. Thanks for all the advice!

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117667074#Comment_117667074

Your welcome and best wishes for the future 😏

mondeoman72

Super. Well done. I figure she realised you would not be going into work so she wouldnt be getting the three thousand euro payment

Cookiee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117668555#Comment_117668555

Yeah exactly, she even said "look since you're starting college you'll probably only talk to me 2/3 more times" she knows she won't get any comission so she's relaxed and just happy to have a few phone calls with me and 'support' me for a few weeks before I go back to education. I sent her my CV today because she asked for it, I have no problem with that, since I didn't sign anything she can't send my CV to employers or anything, she can just help me adjust and improve it which I'm happy with. I've another appointment now in 3 weeks

Cookiee

So, just want to update incase anyone is in the same situation as I am and is searching through threads on what might happen for them in regards to seetec/jobpath and going to education.

I now start college Monday, and my BTEA went through!, so it's confirmed now I am no longer on JobPath and I've moved over to BTEA, so I had my last phone call with my JobPath advisor a few days ago and that's it! She was happy for me to move on and further my education.

So if anyone's in the same situation: you will be allowed to further your education and get BTEA if you're currently on the job path program. Also remember to just not sign the personal progression plan as it's not a requirement. :)

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117935215#Comment_117935215

Best of luck and congrats on the BTEA decision 😏 also thanks for the update

Cookiee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117936265#Comment_117936265

Thank you! And thanks for your help on this thread😊

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117936442#Comment_117936442

No problem at all 😏

wingsof daun

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117935215#Comment_117935215

I was in the same situation. Got accepted for BTEA allowance thankfully, and I told the Jobpath person that on the phone, but she still wants to ring again. I think I may have signed the 'progression plan' by mistake...does that matter?

Cookiee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118538620#Comment_118538620

When does your course start? Job path will only cease once you start your course, so you'll have phonecalls till then, and I don't recommend signing the progression plan but not much you can do now, it basiccally gives them more rights over your data etc

wingsof daun

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118538854#Comment_118538854

Well, I've already started the course, but they still gave me a another date in a few weeks for a call 🙄. They have some data alright since I've signed. So, after 9 months or a year they stop calling you, corrrect? By that time the course will have ended and it's either back on JSA or working, but I don't think they can keep pursuing someone after 9months/a year?!

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118541861#Comment_118541861

Normally the "Refferal" is for 12 months , kind of surprised they are contacting you if your on a course , it's more of a box ticking exercise, I wouldn't be too concerned about it .

Cookiee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118541861#Comment_118541861

Oh strange, for me as soon as my course started they left me alone and it finished, perhaps signing the progression plan has some affect on them calling you even though you're on BTEA, I'm not sure! But yeah job path referral is 12 months. I asked my advisor would they contact me again and she said no since my course is a few years long, but if when I finish my course I'm unemployed then job path could contact me again

wingsof daun

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118543830#Comment_118543830

It's the same questions every time on these 'calls', they serve no purpose. If they emailed job vacancies instead. Perhaps it is just a matter of luck as to whether they contact a JSA person or not, but hopefully u don't run into them again!

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118550778#Comment_118550778

It's not luck unfortunately, if a jobseeker is "Reffered " the nonsense commences and yes these calls are utterly pointless, I'm just amazed the plug wasn't pulled on the jobspath Scandal when the pandemic started, most of not all these two companies offices have closed down with a few people retained, working from home and paid to essentially waste peoples time, by way of pointless phone calls, its just Bizzare.