What would you ask Employment Minister, Jim Knight MP?

One question could be the REAL number of jobs in the economy. What are the real numbers and how are they calculated? We often here the figure of 500,000 job vacancies in the economy. However, there are a few issues with this figure.

Firstly, how many are actually real jobs? For exapmple, I have applied to a number of vacancies in my time that look intersting enough. Upon phoning the said vacancy five minutes later, one is told that the vacancy is via an employment agency (which is sometimes made clear, sometimes not). The maddening thing is that you are often told the vacancy has already been filled and that you're invited to register with the agncy in question. Okay. But the same vacancy is still being advertised two or three weeks later! When you phone the agency agian, you'll often be told that this is a 'mistake' and that the vacancy should have been reoved from the system! Not having a go at ALL employment agencies as such as I have worked for a couple of decent ones in my time.

Secondly, how many vacancies are from dodgy companies? I have an example from a Job Centre Plus job point from a firm supposedly offering an SEO (Search Engine Optomisation) vacancy, working from home. This company (I'll not name names)is asking the applicant/sucker to stump up £2,500 for 'training, during which one will NOT be paid. Howver, they do guarantee a job which is a bit rich considering that uit's YOUR PC and broadband connection you'll be using. An absolute con.

Thirdly, how many vacancies are the dreaded zero hour type? The ones where an employer does not have to guarantee you a fixed number of hours per week.

Imatt: I've heard, but have no evidence to support it, that some employment agencies advertise non-existent jobs as a way of increasing their candidate database so that when they do have vacancies they are more likely to have a suitable candidate registered with them.

What can we expect to see in the Adult Autism Strategy to transform employment outcomes for adults with autism - currently just 15% are in full time paid employment.

I work for a large private company, helping the unemployed back into work. We are offering a service that the JCP dont. They mainly signpost people on to different services. We offer everything to do with jobs; i.e. CV writing / interview techniques and have local links to companies looking for work, etc.

My question is, what happens come July 2010 and FNd hasnt been as successful as they thought it would be? To me, they should have kept the Gateway to Work Programme which was the 2 week intense course for job seekers.

I am looking forward to hearing your comments regarding the FND programme.

Surely we should be asking how the government can expect all those who work with the unemployed, including JCP and W2W providers, to find long term sustainable work for our customers when the concepts, ideals and provisions put in place are constantly under threat? The W2W industry and JCP seem to be being used as "pawns" in political games at the moment? Therefore, as a workforce we are appearing to have little "sustainability" which is demotivatin gus in supporting our customers back into work.

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My question would be how does the minister see the role of JCP and W2W providers moving the country forward in this "crisis"?

Many job seekers out there especially thoes who have been out of work for some time find it difficult to make the transition back in to work because as soon as they gain employment their benefits stop but they have additional costs they have to fork out for like travel to and from work,lunches ete. Another major barrier for some is going from fortnightly paid to monthly paid especially when they have no money in the bank to help them survive. It seems the back to work bonus of £100 does not apply to everyone.

I recently found this on the JCP website:

£1000 cash back on your new recruit

To help make your next recruitment decision an easy one, Jobcentre Plus is offering £1000 for every eligible person that you recruit, who has been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance for six months or more.

It seems employers who sign up to this scheme will get after checks £500 of the £1000 paid in to their account after just 15 working days the rest after 26 weeks if the recuilt is still with them and in addition they can also access £1,500 worth of training for these recruilts.

Question: As just as much effort is needed by the recruilt as the employer would it be possible to offer a simular scheme to job seekers to give them the incentive and the much needed funding to stay in the job. Working tax credits has had alot of bad press but people understand £500 in 15 working days and another £500 if you keep the job for 26 weeks.

Given the complexities surrounding partnership arrangements between the primes and subs for FND2, will the dwp website consider publishing or making available a list of those organisations who have actually submitted a bid, rather than having to wait until mid spring when the successful bidders are announced. It would be extremely useful for strategic planning. For example, the shortlist of successful organisations at the PQQ stage has been updated twice since it was posted on the DWP website with some big names dropping out of the bidding. Problem is, they don't always tell their cohorts of their intentions until the last minute. Can you see the problems this causes?

Would Jim Knight agree that the total failure of Pathways to Work (as evidenced in DWP's own research report No. 601) has largely been because the outcome payment system is designed to reward private companies for helping the easiest customers who report little significant impact on work, earnings or self-reported health outcomes i.e. they would have found work, improved their earnings/health etc without PtW. Would he also agree that the only people who are benefiting are the private sector companies making millions in profits and their chief executives who have received new year’s honours.

I can assure you that private companies are not making millions out of Pathways. Clearly, you are ignorant of how the whole thing is actually working so I doubt Jim Knight will be very interested.

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