Winter Work Scheme

[Peter Layman]

When I was a mere whippersnapper, they used to have something called the winter work scheme. Wouldn't now be an ideal time to re-introduce this and get the footpaths etc sorted. I know it'll deprive Ms Maltby of a soabox but it may remove the need for another layer of civil servants overseeing a footpath agency

[Zarley]

Wouldn't you just need a layer of civil servants to administer the work scheme? 

[The Phantom]

I know some of the labour from Community Service issued by the Courts has been used to build and maintain mountain bike trails in some of the plantations. 

Not dissimilar to this really. 

Just give the Chavs a petrol powered strimmer and tell them to crack on along the Raaaaaad Ny Foillan yessir. 

[Peter Layman]

57 minutes ago, Zarley said:

Wouldn't you just need a layer of civil servants to administer the work scheme? 

No, the staff are already in place - the problem will be getting them to actually do what they are paid to do

[Roger Mexico]

1 hour ago, Peter Layman said:

When I was a mere whippersnapper, they used to have something called the winter work scheme. Wouldn't now be an ideal time to re-introduce this and get the footpaths etc sorted. I know it'll deprive Ms Maltby of a soabox but it may remove the need for another layer of civil servants overseeing a footpath agency

But there were only 365 people registered as unemployed at the end of September (236 men, 129 women).  At the current rate about 100 of those will have found a job since and 47 of them are only signing on for credits (which probably means they are near state retirement age).  There simply aren't the people to do it.

[Ramseyboi]

21 minutes ago, Roger Mexico said:

But there were only 365 people registered as unemployed at the end of September (236 men, 129 women).  At the current rate about 100 of those will have found a job since and 47 of them are only signing on for credits (which probably means they are near state retirement age).  There simply aren't the people to do it.

What planet are you on?

Offer people £9 an hour and there will be plenty of takers.  Just because people aren’t “signed on” doesn’t mean they aren’t looking for work.

There are so many reasons why you can be unemployed and desperate for cash but not able to sign up for benefits on this poxy island it is beyond believe.

[Non-Believer]

With the unemployed number that low, those who are still on it are probably "unemployable"?

They won't get out of bed for £9 an hour if it means actually having to do some work for that £9 and quite possibly getting cold (and wet) in the arse end of nowhere in the process. 

[2112]

5 minutes ago, Non-Believer said:

With the unemployed number that low, those who are still on it are probably "unemployable"?

They won't get out of bed for £9 an hour if it means actually having to do some work for that £9 and quite possibly getting cold (and wet) in the arse end of nowhere in the process. 

Your right, they get up and go down town Douglas and frequaint one or two little hosteleries, spending their hard earned benefits. 

[Non-Believer]

The "Social" already operates work placement schemes to keep the unemployed "interested"....AFAIK there's little obligation though, they can't be told or compelled to show any interest.

There was a story from a few years ago about an individual who was even driven to his appointed location by Social staff and refused to get out of the car when he got there. Taken back home and left to his benefits existence. It actually saw him into retirement and his pension now.

[Roger Mexico]

21 minutes ago, Ramseyboi said:

What planet are you on?

Offer people £9 an hour and there will be plenty of takers.  Just because people aren’t “signed on” doesn’t mean they aren’t looking for work.

There are so many reasons why you can be unemployed and desperate for cash but not able to sign up for benefits on this poxy island it is beyond believe.

If you actually look at the link, you'll see there were 847 vacancies for those 365 unemployed.  Many of them in areas needing no qualifications (64%).  Presumably if all those people 'desperate for cash' existed, they could take up one of those.  And yet...

[Ramseyboi]

9 minutes ago, Roger Mexico said:

If you actually look at the link, you'll see there were 847 vacancies for those 365 unemployed.  Many of them in areas needing no qualifications (64%).  Presumably if all those people 'desperate for cash' existed, they could take up one of those.  And yet...

You have led a sheltered life 🙄

You try applying for one of those when your Cv says you have previously run departments etc.

They think you are using it as a stop gap (you are) and think you will get bored (you will) so aren’t interested.

[Josem]

1 hour ago, Ramseyboi said:

Offer people £9 an hour and there will be plenty of takers.

I find this difficult to believe. If it were true, McDonalds, Costa and the supermarkets (which all pay more than £9 an hour for adults) would not have so many vacancies right now. Working in such jobs not only pay more than your suggested £9/hour, such inside service jobs are probably much less arduous than working on building footpaths (and require much less certifications etc).

[AcousticallyChallenged]

1 hour ago, Ramseyboi said:

What planet are you on?

Offer people £9 an hour and there will be plenty of takers.  Just because people aren’t “signed on” doesn’t mean they aren’t looking for work.

There are so many reasons why you can be unemployed and desperate for cash but not able to sign up for benefits on this poxy island it is beyond believe.

You say that, but even kitchen porters are getting offered significantly more an hour at the moment. There's a real and tangible shortage of hospitality labour.

Costa has been advertising starting salaries of £10/hour in some of their shops here, to take Josem's example.

[Ramseyboi]

2 minutes ago, Josem said:

I find this difficult to believe. If it were true, McDonalds, Costa and the supermarkets (which all pay more than £9 an hour for adults) would not have so many vacancies right now. Working in such jobs not only pay more than your suggested £9/hour, such inside service jobs are probably much less arduous than working on building footpaths (and require much less certifications etc).

That total lack of understanding is quite spectacular.

Well done you sir.

[Ramseyboi]

1 minute ago, AcousticallyChallenged said:

You say that, but even kitchen porters are getting offered significantly more an hour at the moment. There's a real and tangible shortage of hospitality labour.

Costa has been advertising starting salaries of £10/hour in some of their shops here, to take Josem's example.

Do you think those places will employ someone whose CV shows they used to earn many times that?

Do you think those people show up on the unemployment figures or do you think they are just sitting at home, not entitled to any benefits at all and falling further into debt because no one will employ them or give them financial help?

I have been there and done it.  The system is completely broken and there  are many people who need a job but can’t get one because they are “over qualified”