Children in Need


Recommended Posts

I saw on tv last week that there were 11,000 vacancies for bricklayers in the UK. Still we have 2m unemployed. Strange.

Get them trained, get building, get them housed. Life is so simple at times.

  • Upvote 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
  • Replies 139
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Posts

In answer to post 50......I not only believe " babies for cash " situation is a career choice for many, but I know it to be true......Ask many young girls what they want to do after school and they wi

Pudsey the one eyed bear, I'd poke his other bloody eye out if I had my way, what a bloody embarassment, It's just another excuse for the so called do gooders, the likes of Bob (look how good I am) Ge

I have worked in some of the most deprived inner city schools in the Uk..........I now work unpaid with some of the most vulnerable in our society....there needs to be a welfare system to help those w

Posted Images

Years ago, if someone was unemployed for 6 months they became eligible for a proper training scheme such as in bricklaying. Heck, you could even get HGV trained. Now they do unpaid work in Tesco for a few weeks or get basic computer training. There are no apprenticeships and we would rather keep youngsters at college than subsidise in work training. Everything is about useless bits of paper instead of real learning. A friend runs a recruitment firm in London and he says most of the jobs he has to recruit from abroad because of the skills gap here. Need to employ a plumber, an IT specialist or a nurse? The chances are you won't get many suitable applicants that aren't foreign. We need these immigrants because we aren't investing in skills as we should.

Link to post
Share on other sites

When I was made redundant in 95, I paid for a fork lift driving course out of my own pocket as I didn't realise that the Government would have paid it. No one informed me during my 90 days notice.

I enrolled at Staffline Agency which was brilliant at getting me loads of temporary work, which proved invaluable in my later permanent employment.

I got several commendations from places I worked. Mansfield Brewery, Kennelgate pet foods and Brossards cake factory.

If unemployed today, I'd have no qualms about agency work.

  • Upvote 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Shortage of skilled labour in the building trade, you bet there is and it will remain like that with the present ethos in this country.

The decline in true apprenticeships (what they call apprenticeships these day are short training courses) began back in the 70s when the then government decided it was akin to slave labour and increased the pay levels. Fine if you were a large company but most companies in the building trade are small one or two man operations. Therefore the amount of lads being taken on for training went in to near terminal decline.

I have trained a good number of apprentices in my time and 9 years ago as my 60th birthday approached I decided I would like to train one last one before it was to late. My take on apprenticeships is rather old fashion, as a base line I want someone who is literate, numerate, of decent appearance, polite, and above all honest. The apprenticeship would last 5 years and include day release to obtain formal qualifications and four days a week on the job training. At the end of 5 years I would turn out a fully qualified plumber/gas fitter with the earning potential of 50 grand a year plus.

I decide to approach local schools with a view to having some people on works experience and put together a list of my requirements and what was on offer. The look of disbelief on the careers master's face when I presented my list was something to see. I could not ask all these questions and yes they would like me to take some pupils but I would have to take what they sent me.

The man was to say the least stunned by my reply something along the lines of "So I am going to have to pay the bill and you who's wages I also pay expect to be able to tell me what to do?" Expletive, expletive etc.

Then I put the word around and had a chap ask to come out with us, the son of a friend of a friend. The two week 'work experience' lasted the whole of the summer holidays, he liked what we did and I liked him, I could see he had it in his hands so to speak. I explained to him that for the first year he would not receive a lot of money say £80 a week, but after that time as his experience grew and he became more useful this would be increased, everything looked to be in place.

Then his mother stepped in, she wanted him to be on 'proper wages' from day one, after all he would have to pay his 'board money'. Needless to say that along with some college fees, extra employers and liability insurance made the whole thing unworkable,

  • Upvote 5
Link to post
Share on other sites

I can see I'm going to be busy later. :)

Col

  • Upvote 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

NewBasfordLad #80

Why did you approach schools? School 'Careers Master's are almost all untrained people doing the 'Career's' role for an extra allowance. Wrong people to ask.

There was still the Connexions Service, who could have looked at every kid in Nottingham and will have known all of their qualifications and ambitions. (And no.. I didn't agree with ruining the Careers Service by turning it into Connexions, but it was there. I'm in the process of describing all that stuff on the 'jobs' thread.)

Were you not aware of any of the industry training organisations, such as B.E.S.T., CITB, etc., etc.? Never the same after Maggie attacked, but still about.

Still. I agree with you about the mother.

I once had a woman come to see me in the Connexions office in Kirkby, Merseyside.

I've trimmed it, but it went like this.

Me: "How can I help?"

She: " My Son's got an apprenticeship".

Me: "Congratulations"

She: "But he doesn't get paid till the end of the month"

Me: " Well he'll really be looking forward to his first pay packet then"

She: " But he's taking driving lessons so he can get to his new job easier when he's got a car."

Me:. " Good move".

She: " But he can't afford his lessons till he gets paid"

Me: "Well maybe he should wait a bit."

She " But he's booked them starting now"

Me: " So cancel"

She: "We thought Connexions would pay"

I was gobsmacked. I told her we could provide a few bus passes for hard up kids to get to interviews, but that was all. She seemed quite put out.

Col

  • Upvote 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

In response to many posts. Yes, I know there are some scroungers out there, but constant anecdotal stuff really proves nothing. We can all spot scroungers. Can we also spot those who are really really trying to drag themselves up but keep getting kicked in the teeth? The bulk of people on welfare don't want to be. I'm sure of that. The whole point of Tax Credits was to get people out of the Benefit Trap which saw many people better off on benefits than in low paid work. DJ is also correct that the 'Benefit Fraud' bill is tiny in comparison to overall Tax Fraud and Evasion. It's a pity they don't pursue the big corporations with the same vigour.

I'm fully supportive of just about everything DJ Brenton says. He's factually correct. So it really is a bit rich to complain about benefit cheats in one breath but not see the inequities in the system and the plain theft exercised by major corporations.

DJ is correct to say that the State Pension is paid for out of the current budget. That's also true of Civil Service and Military pensions I think. But it's hardly fair of govt's who have failed to properly invest, ring fence and protect the cash people paid in for 50 years for their state pensions to then start crying 'unsustainable'.

I get a reasonable state pension after 48 or so years of contributing, but I'm very pissed off by Tory attempts to reclassify it as a 'welfare benefit'. It isn't. It's the rightful outcome of a contract between workers and the state. It's not worker's fault if Govt can't manage the cash.

Calling it a benefit of course helps Tory spin. It allows them to massively overcalculate the supposed 'benefits' bill, and it gives them some credibilty in the minds of some people when they start attacking it.

DJ has also pointed out that children in need aren't just snotty nosed little waifs from povvy council houses whose parents are permanently pissed/drugged up etc.

These are kids from all sorts of backgrounds with illnesses, disabilities and other disadvantages which Govt simply doesn't cater for.

And Fly, I don't think anyone here has attacked the wealthy. I for one have no problem wirth anybody being wealthy by their own honest efforts. But when I witness a spectacle like that twerp Lloyd- Webber, who doesn't even live here.. coming over to take his place in the Lords just to vote in favour of slashing Tax Credits... Now that's another thing entirely.. So now I've got two things against him. I mean his musicals have always been bloody awful, but now he's become a nasty mean little specimen as well.

And when Govt can cheerfully give tax breaks to the rich which will net them extra cash above and beyond what they already make amounting to sums most people can only dream about, whilst cutting benefits to the disabled and forcing sick people to work for minimum wage.....

Nastiest government I've experienced in 67 years and they're getting nastier.

More worrying,.. they've got people believing that all this pain is neccessary.

It isn't.

Col

Link to post
Share on other sites

Catfan #56. One example does not constitute 'the real world'.

As I have pointed out on another thread, I have worked with young people and adults as a Careers Adviser for 30 years and before tha I worked in a very wide range of occupations and industries. I have met many thousands of people, visited thousands of homes from very wealthy to very poor. I've visited and spoken to thousands of employers, been involved with trainees, apprentices etc. I've worked in dozens of secondary schools, sixth forms, further education colleges and universities. I've worked with all categories of kids from Severe Learning Difficulties and Severe Disability, through to the brightest. I've interviewed, supported and advised countless people. I've had kids drag their Mum's up to meet me in the street and thank me for my support or my advice.

Trust me, I'm very familiar with the real world.

Yet despite all of my experience, I don't claim to have all the answers and I certainly don't subscribe to Daily Mail levels of stereotyping, scapegoating and banner headline 'solutions.'

This govt. has successfully divided society with its lies and spin. Now it is ruling. I suspect many people are now ruing the day they got what they voted for and many more will do so in future.

Col

Link to post
Share on other sites

Plantfit. # 64.

I award you an Honorary Degree in 'Totally Missing the Point'. :)

Col

Link to post
Share on other sites

And then, after all this discussion, I get home and find my tax summary on the mat. Apparently I owe the taxman £340 under payment (how, I'm on PAYE?) for last year with a list of stuff that I'm apparently contributing my tax money to including over seas aid, housing and utilities, welfare and the national debt and loads more.

Come on you scum sucking maggots sort yourselves and the soap dodgers out!

  • Upvote 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

And as if by magic, from today's papers.....


Former Conservative prime minister Sir John Major has criticised the “shocking” impact of inequality in Britain and said more needed to be done to urgently tackle the gap between the rich and the poor.

In a speech reiterating a number of touchstones of one-nation Conservatism, he pointedly set himself against language that sought to cast those who were out of work as “idlers” and benefit claimants as “scroungers”

Delivering a Hinton lecture entitled A nation at ease with itself?, Major told the audience in London that he had begun to reflect more and more on inequality as he grew older.

In a country now immensely more wealthy than the one in which he grew up, he said that life was still not easy for many, adding: “Even in areas that are recognised as wealthy, there are families or individuals who have fallen behind.

“Policymakers must understand how hard it is to escape from such circumstances. It is not inertia that keeps the unemployed immobile: it is simply that, without help, they are trapped.”

Turning to the role of the benefits system, he said: “Let us cast aside a common misconception. Everyone out of work is not an idler.

“Everyone in receipt of benefits is not a scrounger. Of course idlers and scroungers exist – and governments are entirely right to root out the cheats who rip off the taxpayer. But the focus must not be only on those who abuse the system; we need equal concentration on those who are failed by the system.”

Describing poverty as being “not only about empty pockets”, Major described contemporary Britain as one in which the lifespan of the poorest in some major cities was 20 years shorter than those of the most wealthy.

“I have no doubt that much of this disparity is caused by poor lifestyle, poor choices, poor diet – but poor environment, poor housing and poor education must surely be contributory factors. Whatever the reasons, this is a shocking situation in 2015,” he added.

The former prime minister went on to deliver a plea for the upgrade of Britain’s infrastructure, as well as emphasising the roles of the private sector and charities.

However, while talking of his pride in the scale of philanthropic, voluntary and charitable work across the UK, Major warned that a reality check was required, stating: “We cannot be complacent about our charitable sector. There are negatives: we have all seen the publicity generated by bad fundraising practices and poor governance.

“I won’t dwell on these shortcomings, except to note that all charities have a duty to protect their reputation. Unless they are seen as efficient and well run, donations will fall away.”

When even a former Tory PM is worried, you just know things are bad.

Col

Link to post
Share on other sites

Beeston Mick. #88.

Some years ago I received a demand for about £500, because a previous employer had cocked up my PAYE. There was no mercy, no time to pay, no nothing except.

PAY UP!!!! NOW!!! OR GET FINED!!!

I told some bloke on the phone that I was not avoiding payment, but wouldn't have the cash till payday, a couple of weeks off.

No chance. Pay up or get fined. Pay the fine or get Gaol.

It all contrasts rather nicely with the way HMRC pussyfoots about 'negotiating' payment with the big corporations.

All in it together?

Hardly.

Col

Link to post
Share on other sites

Bean counters rule the world, common sense is out of the window. The company I work for used to be run by engineers and generally decent people with good ideas. We have been taken over by German bean counters, a company called Mutaris, and the first word they said when they bought us was redundancy. I'm mainly pi$$ed off 'cos they didn't offer it to me!! Accountants cannot run companies when all they think about is book balancing, looking useful and profit.

Link to post
Share on other sites

#85

"And Fly, I don't think anyone here has attacked the wealthy. I for one have no problem wirth anybody being wealthy by their own honest efforts. But when I witness a spectacle like that twerp Lloyd- Webber, who doesn't even live here.. coming over to take his place in the Lords just to vote in favour of slashing Tax Credits... Now that's another thing entirely.. So now I've got two things against him. I mean his musicals have always been bloody awful, but now he's become a nasty mean little specimen as well.​"

Interesting and I largely agree ............... I have no problem with people being wealthy provided that they have earned or generated it within their lifetime. I do object to inherited wealth.

The Lords are not important as indeed are many of the anachronisms that we seem to have to pay to maintain.

  • Upvote 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

The Lords should be gotten rid of, that part of the establishment bears no resemblance to real life and they should not have a say in any of it. How the hell can you have non-elected individuals deciding what is good for poor old me? Look at the hoo haa the other day because the first female bishop gets to sit in the House of Lords. A bleddy bishop? What has the church got to do with it?

  • Upvote 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

#88. BeestonMick.

Join the club pal. Year before last while on long term sick £85 per week SSP I got the same treatment for £598 !

Unmerciful cruel Barstewards. All through their fault by giving my employer the wrong PAYE code for me.

These same clowns threatened the wages lady where I worked that if she didn't take all my future SSP payments to clear this "debt" She & the company I worked for would be in serious trouble.

She told em to go away.

Lo & behold this year for some strange reason I overpaid a similar amount, don't ask I don't know. ! hellothere

Link to post
Share on other sites

Yep a real public servant I am right always right and everyone else is wrong.

I went to see the schools career master because I thought it was the right thing to do. I soon learnt it was the wrong move, as always those in public service let their paymasters (the tax payer) down. That's why I told him where he could go in no uncertain terms.

Link to post
Share on other sites

When I left school jobs were plenty as we all remember. I never understood why we had careers advisers when usually they tried to talk us in to something we didn't want to do.

Talk about square peg in a round hole.

  • Upvote 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Careers master did nothing for me. I wanted to work with animals. His advice...farming was a waste of time.Veterinary career...too qualified and difficult to achieve.

But he did have opportunities in the hosiery trade or at Raleigh to offer.....Nice job in a factory, my idea of heaven. :blink:

  • Upvote 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

When my wife was fifteen, just before leaving, her school took all the girls on a trip to the local textile factory in Kimberley. She said they were told all about the job, had a go doing it and how good the pay was.

She remembers there was then quite a hard sell of the jobs available. The factory guide asked them if they liked what they'd seen, she said there was no way she was going to be a factory girl. She said the guide, the teacher and most of the other girls looked at her as if she was bonkers.

  • Upvote 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

After being, very very politely, required to leave The Becket School I got all my careers advice down on Slab Square or from mates in clubs

  • Upvote 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...