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TNG

Avanta TNG + Work Programme = Fail

Posted by Work Programme | Posted in Avanta, Avanta regional director Kaye Rideout, Avanta Teesside, Avanta TNG, Avanta TNG Inbiz, Avanta TNG Learning Zone, benefit sanctions, Contradictions in the information given to jobseekers, Do you need to be referred to a psychologist?, employability needs questionnaire, ENQ, Jobseeker Stephanie Finnegan, Kaye Rideout, sanction doubts, The Northern Echo, TNG, Training Network Group, Work Programme | Posted on 21-07-2011

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It seems Avanta TNG are in the spotlight again for being piss poor in delivering Government contracts. This time with the Work Programme just a few weeks in to their contract; echos very much the same on Flexible New Deal and New Deal previously.   Job group defends user’s criticisms THE company tasked with helping [...]

New Deal, Flexible New Deal, Work Programme and your Data

Posted by Work Programme | Posted in a4e, data abuse, Data Protection Act, Data Protection Act 1998, DWP, Flexible New Deal, jobcentre Plus, New Deal, QDP services, TNG, Work Programme, YMCA Training | Posted on 11-02-2011

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The Information Commissioner’s Office has ruled that YOUR data is to be abused by Welfare to Work Providers. The following acts are perfectly fine to their understanding: The disclosure of your personal data to any organisation The retention of your contact details for a time they deem fit Transfer of details anywhere in the world [...]

Tory Cu’ts: The disabled will be the worst hit

Posted by Work Programme | Posted in 3 year benefit sanctions, a4e, ATOS, austerity cuts, austerity measures, benefit cuts, benefit reductions, ConDem(n) Government, Conservative Government regime, Conservatives, disabilities, Disability Living Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, jobseekers allowance, National Minimum Wage, public spending cuts, Reed in Partnership, TNG, uk workfare, VAT increase, Work Programme, YMCA Training | Posted on 14-01-2011

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I feel completely for the disabled on welfare. So far austerity cuts are strictly associated with just students. Although I fully support the students cause, by far the people who are going to mostly suffer from such cuts and associated policies are the disabled. I somewhat feel the disabled are getting greatly overlooked. I am [...]

Rare Breeds: Sally Smith of YMCA Training

Posted by Work Programme | Posted in Flexible New Deal, Jimmy's Farm, New Deal, poverty pimp, sally smith, sally smith assistant manager, TNG, work placements, YMCA, YMCA Training, YMCA Training New Deal Dencora House Detention Centre, ymca training work placements | Posted on 30-12-2010

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Before we end the year, lets recap on this year’s highlights of our favourite local christian poverty pimp YMCA Training.

I was browsing Google referrer search terms (i.e. what people search to find us) and noticed amongst the many, a lot of search terms relating to providers, the owners/founders and those who run them. This is obviously in addition to many more in regards to New Deal, Flexible New Deal and the upcoming Work Programme. This is far more than happened 6 months ago. 

Giving A4e‘s EmmaCuts are fantastic!Harrison a break (for today) I focused on a few Google searches to see how well the sites are doing (No I don’t intend this to be a Google advertisement haha). One popped up, a search for “ymca training sally smith”. No less than our favourite prison warden! (Please don’t take the word favourite in this article too much to heart!!)

She not so recently gave a speech at Jimmy’s Farm – an event organised by yes, you guessed it YMCA Training!

The news article on the Official Jimmy’s Farm Rare Breeds (since 2002) website, reads:

Jimmy’s Farm Acknowledged As Making An Outstanding Contribution To The Professional Development of Learners

MORE than 100 representatives from Suffolk’s top businesses celebrated their contribution to training at Jimmy’s Farm this week.

The event, hosted by the YMCA Training, recognised the input local businesses have made to its volunteer programme over the last year.

Starts off quite well, then we are hit with the following blow:

YMCA Training provides the long-term unemployed and young people, some of whom have been permanently excluded from mainstream education, with work placements.

Although the announcement of work placements at YMCA Training (yes really!! Feel free to recover before continuing, fellow YMCA Training New Deal Dencora House Detention Centre inmates) comes to many as a shocking surprise; I think their contracts are for more than just “work placements”. One of their contracts is to subcontract the Flexible New Deal for TNG (we can understand why… completely incompetent organisation talking about TNG although could also stretch to YMCA Training rather easily) and the MWRA period is just a month and TNG have a 3 monthly assessment period to determine who stays and who goes into Dencora House Detention Centre. Do they not offer anything else? I wouldn’t be surprised.

It continues with the possibly-Conservative middle-class wannabe Sally Smith making a rather posh statement:

YMCA Training manager, Sally Smith, said: “Our close working relationship with employers is vital to the success of our business and to the ultimate up-skilling and success of our customers. The event is also an opportunity to showcase our provision to a number of influential local dignitaries including county councillors, other local employers and service commissioners.”

It then continues, with what happens to be rather disappointing news, which is only 15 people over 2 years have had a work placement. Adults likely referring to Flexible New Deal and young people as for those excluded from school etc. As for adults alone, 15 isn’t too bad, but as the figure includes those excluded from school etc where such activities are much more popular, its rather disappointing to say the least.

If that isn’t bad enough, only dozens have taken part in giving work placements throughout Suffolk. Why bringing 100 representatives other than a low budget wannabe celebrity event as an excuse to dress up smart and get drunk?!

Jimmy’s Farm is one of dozens of companies in Suffolk which has taken part in the scheme.

Farm Manager Nathan Dodd said: “We’ve been happy to work in partnership with the YMCA Training for the past two years. We have had more than 15 young people and adults from YMCA over that time, who have helped out, undertaking various activities on the farm. We are proud to have developed their career potential as well as taking on some young people at the farm.”

However, you can read the full article here.


Flexible New Deal: The complaints keep rolling in…

Posted by Work Programme | Posted in a4e, A4e CalderUK Pertemps Remploy Reed in partnership Serco Seetec Skill Training TNG YMCA Training Wise Group Work DirectionsWorking Links, Access to Industry, APG Security, Arabic Centre for Career Development, Armstrong Learning Ltd, ATL, ATS, Barnsley MBC, Beacon Employment, Best Training, Birmingham Chamber Training Ltd, Biscom, Blue Orchid, Bolton Wise, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, Business Bureau Wales, Business Enterprise Support, Business in the Community, Business2Business, C G Partnership, Cabrian Training, Cais Ltd, Cambridgeshire Voluntary Community Sector Learning Consortium, Cardiff Community Service Volunteers, Care Training East Midlands, Career Development Group, Carnegie College, CES Ayrshire, Chichester College, Community Training Services, Concept Training, Cooperative Community Action, Coventry and Warwickshire CDA, Creating Futures, Crossmatch Solutions, Crossover, CSV Training and Enterprise, Denbigshire Enterprise, Derby CVS, Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Chambers of Commerce, Dering Employment Services Ltd, DHP Scotland Ltd, DWP, East Dunbartonshire Council, East Kent ITEC, East Lindsey ITEC trading as First College, Economic Solutions, Employment Opportunities, Employment Opportunities (Shaw Trust), Empowering People Inspiring Communities, Faith Regen Foundation, Flexible New Deal, Flexible New Deal complaints, Focusing First on People, Framework Housing Association, Gingerbread/One Parent Families, Gofal Cymru, Goodwin Development Trust, Groundwork, Groundwork Manchester Salford Stockport Tameside and Trafford, Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale, Gwynedd Training, Heantun Housing Association, Herefordshire PCT, Highway to Opportunities, Holyhead Opportunities Trust, InBiz Ltd, Inspire 2 Independence, Inspired Sisters, International Learning Centre, Intraining Group Ltd, It2ition, ITEC, ITS, Jericho, JET, JHP Training, jobcentre Plus, Journeys, Juniper Training Ltd, Kashmir Youth Project, Kennedy Scott, Learn Today, Lifeskills Employability Ltd, Lincolnshire Action Trust, Management Introductions, Manchester College, Manpower, McSense Communications Ltd, Medway Council, Mentor, Meridian East, Merlin Venture, MI Technologies, Microcom, Midlothian Training Services, Move on East, NCDA, Neath Port Talbot Council, New Deal, Newport & Gwent Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Newport City Council, Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services Ltd (NWES), Norfolk Training Service, North Wales Training, North West Kent College, Nottinghamshire Business Ventures, OTR, Owton Fens Community Association, Papworth Trust, Pembrokeshire Council, People Serve, Pertemps, Phoenix Enterprises, Phoenix Training, Pinnacle, Pinnacle People, Places for People, Places for People Scotland, PRIME, Princes Trust, Project Management, Quadrant, Rathbone, Redcar & Cleveland College, reed, Reed in Partership, Remploy, RNIB, Romney Resource, Routes to Work Ltd, Routes to Work South (Inc South Lanarkshire Council), Salvation Army, SAMH, Sandwell Council for Voluntary Organisations, Sandwell MBC, Sandwell Womens Enterprise Development Agency, Sarina Russo, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scout Enterprises, Seetec, Seetec High Peak, Shropshire County Council (County Training), South Staffordshire and Shropshire NHS Foundation Trust (Landmark Supported Employment Scheme), Southern Holderness Resource Centre (SHoRes), SOVA, St Peters Partnership, Standguide, Steps to Work (Walsall) Ltd, StokeOnTrent College, Stradlestone, Strodes, STUK, Suffolk Association of Voluntary Organisations (SAVO), Talent Recruitment Ltd, TBG Learning, The Big Life Group, The Hope Foundation, The Learning Zone, The Papworth Trust, The Princes Trust, The Priory Centre, The Trust, The Vale of Glamorgan Council, TNG, Torridge Training, Track 2000, Train 2000, Triage, Tydfil Training, Voluntary Norfolk, VT Enterprises, Walsall Community College, West Lothian College, West Midlands CSV, Wise, WM Morrison Trust, Womens Workshop Cardiff, Working Links, Workwise, Workwise (Suffolk) Ltd, YMCA Darlington, YMCA Northallerton, YMCA Training | Posted on 22-12-2010

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Although trying to focus on the upcoming Work Programme – a by-product of the Conservative-Lib Dem Coalition – we are inundated with emails of complaints by Flexible New Deal participants. It is only right that we highlight this concern to our blog visitors. Flexible New Deal is Labour’s second attempt at trying to address the [...]


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Ipswich Unemployed Action comments...

  • Comment on Workfare workers are employees of the Crown? by Scouser
    local poundland has a junkie geezer on the door - got "workfare" written all over his slashed up face.
  • Comment on Brighton Campaign Victory On Poundland Workfare Placements. by Work Programme
    <blockquote>Within a short time a whole group of Poundland employees were standing just inside the doors either joining in or listening as we explained how exploitation of the unemployed as free labour is an attack on those in work as well as those without, and that all work should be properly paid.</blockquote> How do you know they aren't workfare slaves?!
  • Comment on Why did Waterstones end workfare at its stores? by Wayne green
    Would just like to say wel done on the action u took at brighton poundland . Could I just suggest that u write to all the top insurance companys and explain that all them that are unemployed are being forced to go and do the free labour as I dont belive that they understand thats the case and belive that we are all volunteers and we aint we being forced .i was forced to do free labour at local football club when I asked who was insuring me to be there as im being forced to be here the guy said I phone our insurance company and they said no im not insured due to am not an employee aint a volunteer or any way involved with said placment also no health and saftey was given there they are breaking the law as everybody that takes up work by law should have a test and by somebody thats fully quilified in health and saftey not just who u see on day one they breaking the law not doing it .i say if more people that are forced to do unpaid work MAKE SURE U SEE OR GET THEM TO RING INSURANCE COMPANY IN FRONT U TO MAKE SURE U INSURED AND TO DEMAND TO SEE THAT THE PERSON WHO IF U LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A HEALTH AND SAFTEY THAT THEY ARE QUILIFIED TO GIVE U A HEALTH AND SAFTEY AS ONLY THOSE IN LAW CAN DO THIS ALSO JOIN A UNION COST 81P A WK THAT WAY U WIL HAVE SUM BODY ON YOUR SIDE TO FIGHT YOUR CORNER . Also when u finish your free labour u should make out a bill to said employer for work rendered and if dont pay take to small claims court 99. 999 of the time the employer wil not turn up to court ending in u winning the case as they dont want the bad publicity to affect there business .
  • Comment on Workfare workers are employees of the Crown? by Tobanem
    The latest major threat to Trade Unions is the tory-led TURC campaign. It means Trade Union Reform Campaign - which means the Tories want to outlaw the Unions! There might not be any Trade Unions left if TURC triumphs! Even if Trade Unions survive the TURC attack, I don't see much point in unemployed people joining a trade union when some unions are advocating Workfare! Not much unity in that, is there? Back in the Thatcher era, the Unions scuppered the "training" schemes for the unemployed by vigorously demanding these schemes be "surplus to requirements" - so as not to threaten the employment prospects of existing union members. Nowadays, it should be up to the unions and their current gainfully employed members whose future pay and conditions will be inevitably threatened by Workfare schemes to take a firm stand against the increasing use of wageless Workfare by a desperate Government as a cheap solution to unemployment. If Trade Unions allow Workfare into the workplace in the first place, any unemployed person joining a union under these conditions will be akin to bolting the barn door after the horse has bolted.
  • Comment on Workfare workers are employees of the Crown? by Mr No
    I'm personally a little sceptical about joining any club, be it a union or otherwise. Will they represent the average joe public alleged 'scrounger' when they are exploited for whatever period the dwp lets the provider deem a suitable punitive measure? In theory, but what about the practice? It's almost too big an issue. Join the union, they can see that this is one big scam, right? And they'll throw everything they've got at it for the few (yes, few) who stumped up a few quid? Maybe? And maybe I'm seeing this all wrong. They just speak up, raise awareness a little. Make noises? Are they what they used to be? I must take time to study. I've never had a direct enough experience of unions to really make any bold claims about such. This is simply my somewhat currently naive thoughts. A union can represent its members and have a knock on effect for the rest if they indeed can make much of a positive difference in todays rather bizarre climate. All the unions have probably had their true powers corrupted by corrupt power, they're probably told where their line is. Cynical perhaps? Truly hope so! Just my own instincts tell me it's a nice idea, maybe worth it? But at the end of the day my unemployment and the issues it may cause me, really has to be dealt with by me! Me, at the sharp end. On this side of the desk, having to duel with language with whoever is on that side of the desk. Having to watch every damn (and potentially damning!) word that may spill forth from my gob. Having to put up with all the bullshit, just to survive. And that's when you aren't doing anything wrong! An actual genuine claimant, doing ones best, but just doesn't like being treated like shit. Gosh, really? Yeah! Really. For the right wing readers... Yes, that's simply our issue. Simply! If only! My f**king mantra is going to be 'there are no f**king jobs!' Of course, one will leave out the swearing. However tempting. And before they even utter 'There are plenty of jobs out there and I simply must be doing something wrong', obviously because I am deemed as thick as shit by some moron adviser, I will swiftly add to 'there are no jobs' a rather honest and plausible 'that are suitable for me'. My f**king terms! Crown employee or state slave? I don't care. I'm me. Doing what's right. But unless you are a stubborn b*stard who doesn't take sh*t then stay calm, do your best. I cannot really afford 81p a day, nor 50p for the other union. Or did I imagine the other one? Hmmm? Take care people. Just 'aving a late night ramble.
  • Comment on Workfare workers are employees of the Crown? by Luther
    Don't think I'll be giving any money to Unison whilst they fund a Labour party that supports workfare. We need our own union.
  • Comment on Workfare workers are employees of the Crown? by workethic89
    Reblogged this on <a href="http://workethic89.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/45/" rel="nofollow">Brighter Future</a> and commented: Very good information RE Work Experience, Manditory Work Activity and the Work Programme.
  • Comment on Workfare workers are employees of the Crown? by ariversideview
    As a Union hating Tory I agree with this post and I think that regestering with Unison for your 6 month stint of work activity is a good idea. Also as these companies don't need to fill the vacancies filled by those on Work Activity and Work Experience schemes they are being subsidised by the state. Why should the state be subsidusing multnational companies?
  • Comment on Boycott Work Programme. by The Guardian
    Top five regrets of the dying A nurse has recorded the most common regrets of the dying, and among the top ones is <b>'I wish I hadn't worked so hard'</b>. What would your biggest regret be if this was your last day of life? There was no mention of more sex or bungee jumps. A palliative nurse who has counselled the dying in their last days has revealed the most common regrets we have at the end of our lives. And among the top, from men in particular, is 'I wish I hadn't worked so hard'. Bronnie Ware is an Australian nurse who spent several years working in palliative care, caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives. She recorded their dying epiphanies in a blog called Inspiration and Chai, which gathered so much attention that she put her observations into a book called The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. Ware writes of the phenomenal clarity of vision that people gain at the end of their lives, and how we might learn from their wisdom. "When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently," she says, "common themes surfaced again and again." Here are the top five regrets of the dying, as witnessed by Ware: 1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. "This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it." <b>2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard. "This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret, but as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence."</b> 3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings. "Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result." 4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends. "Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying." 5. I wish that I had let myself be happier. "This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content, when deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again." Full article <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/01/top-five-regrets-of-the-dying" rel="nofollow">here</a> .
  • Comment on Cait Reilly, ‘What a Snooty So-and-So” says Ian Duncan Smith. by Wayne green
    In reply to andrew coates . There aint one immagrant on the work programme that im on and excuse me I speak 4 many people who say why the fuck do they have a council house and we ave lived here all our life and aint got one . And yes send em home then there be work for us english and stop free labour then employers would have to take paid labour , I take it that u so far up immagrants arses u must be married to one of them c--ts

RSS Work Programme Network

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