Work Programme Provider Scams

It seems that the much maligned government initiative "The Work Programme" is unfortunately in the wrong hands! Whatever criteria were employed to engage the various "Prime" contractors, there appears to be little or no control of how the provision is devolved within the confines of the Framework that was originally submitted to secure the contracts. Main and sub-contractors are given free rein to get the results (people off JSA and into employment) whatever it takes to achieve.

The latest derisory action coming from the ranks of the Providers is to advertise for "voluntary" Mentors for clients on the Work Programme who enter into Business Start-up. The New Enterprise Allowance underpins upto six months of "managed" provision, whereby Providers who have secured this part of the WP are required to provide a FULL Mentoring Service in order to promote the self-employment ethic. New businesses are chaperoned until they are deemed to be able to trade unsupervised and then the client is finally released from Benefit claims.

Now, I'm not sure which part of their Service-Level Agreements they are adhering to - but I would have thought that the Paymasters (Government, DWP, Contract-host & Taxpayers) would expect a little more investment in this than to cut corners by 'recruiting' VOLUNTARY mentors?!! This must surely be challenged at the highest level?!! It is little wonder that criticism is mounting towards this provision, when it is hosted and devolved by unscrupulous Providers who clearly think more about their P&L accounts than the future of their clients!!

Abject Practises in Recruitment

I shouldn't be amazed by the fact that there are still unscrupulous practises in the world of the Recruitment Agency - but I am!

Today, from a very reliable source, I was informed that an operative working at a long-standing Recruitment Agency in Central London had "advised", nay "demanded" that her client (my contact) should revise a CV in order to match the requirements of their Employer's Vacancy.

"Nothing wrong with that" I hear you say?

Except the fact that what was being "demanded" was that the client (my contact) should blatantly LIE about skills and acumen that they DON'T POSSESS, in order to satisfy the referral criteria for the role.

Fortunately, the person came to me and I was able to remind them of the little clause in Contracts of Employment that precludes any omissions or falsifications of any kind, subject to immediate dismissal on the grounds of breach of terms of engagement.

THIS IS SERIOUS!!!

I had to overcome their 'natural' defence that "they must know what they're talking about - they're a reputable organisation". This is what the average jobseeker is led to believe - that they can TRUST these companies and their operatives with their future job achievements and indeed, tenure.
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On the strength of yet another blot on the copybook for this arena, I question that notion, vociferously!!

"Voluntary" Employment - the Last Stand of Anachronism?

At last! Someone finally stands up and says "Hey, why should people work for nothing?" The so-called "voluntary sector" "employs" thousands of people who, in some cases, perform almost full-time hours for no remuneration. This is (so they believe) incredibly well-hidden behind the "serving the community" banner, as well as those who are placed by "training & employment" organisations on what they deem to be "work experience". Employers are "encouraged" (that must be difficult) to engage "free labour" - some even advertise the fact that they are prepared to do this, in a kind of self-serving effort to demonstrate how they are supporting both community and country needs! With the latest government "brainwave", the "Employment Framework" being devolved around the country as we write, the voluntary sector are rubbing their hands with glee, as the providers will be mandated to "repatriate" as many people back into the "world of work" as they can, and in some cases this will be the first step.

With unemployment figures (which NEVER reflect the true level) burgeoning daily, levels of poverty increasing, social dysfunction and now anarchy reaching the streets - isn't it about time somebody DEMANDED that employers should PAY these "employees"? Charity is all very noble where truly warranted - but the majority of these assignments is neither noble nor worthy of such.

Recruitment Agencies - A Barrier to Employment

There exists a pervasive, disturbing, ever-present and developing trend in the employment market...

Recrutiment Agencies are becoming the sole hosts for vacancies across the board - SME's and Multi-nationals alike are being sucked in by the sales pitches of a plethora of commission-hungry operatives, all of whom 'guarantee' to the employer that they can fill the vacancies with the 'right' person.

"What's wrong with that?", I hear you say.

Having been involved in the Welfare-to-Work arena (a vehicle for government-funded initiatives that are intended to reduce unemployment) for almost fifteen years, I'll tell you...

The standard response to the majority of applicants who register with recruitment agencies is -
"Thank you for your application, which will be held on file whilst we source an appropriate position for you".

The second most used response is -
"Thank you for your application, but unfortunately we have received others that more closely match the requirements of our employer".

Now, I don't know about you, but if I had applied for an advertised position, precisely matching my education, skills and experience to the specification, I'd have been mortified to receive the second response!

Unfortunately for me, I have had this rebuttal countless times TO-DATE!!!

Why is this happening? The correct answer is that agencies are using electronic keywords to filter the applications that they receive - this means that they don't ever actually read your meticulously scribed CV, unless the computer says they should!

As an experienced Recruiter myself, I understand the need for filtering and selection. I practised this many times whilst engaging the various teams under my auspices. The difference is - I used my eyes! Unless the computer sees the exact keyword phrases, in the correct order, the willing worker has NO CHANCE of EVER being interviewed!!! Even the most tailored of CV's couldn't possibly cover every aspect.


In an environment where the only legislation governing recruitment applies to the 'isms' of a politically-corrected society, recruitment agencies are playing gods over the future employment of a workforce who would like to be employed in order to pay the taxes that allow governments to initiate and enforce legislation!!!

It's about time that legislation was effected that forced ALL recruiters, whether direct-company hosted or agency, to actually GUARANTEE an interview with the EMPLOYER if a reasonable application has been made.

"Reasonable" - if you've performed the duties previously, are trained in the role, qualified, experienced, have transferrable skills, and WANT THE JOB - that's REASONABLE - isn't it?

I await further response from the latest "god" of recruitment, who has received a somewhat emotive reply to their most recent declination...

I'll keep your interest on file... and come back to you when I have a response...