A hand-up or a hand-out?
It’s the old chestnut at the heart of every welfare / job activation scheme. Is the purpose of ‘on the job training’ offering real experience or a way of making unemployment figures look good? Is it a real job or cheap labour?
In my adulthood, I’ve seen two schemes grapple with the idea. The Community Employment scheme around in the 90s and noughties undoubtedly brought staff into the community and arts sector but hearing that aspects of training involved pretending a banana was a phone... Well, that seemed a bit odd. Having worked alongside people on the scheme, you could see those who wanted to use the opportunity as a first step, while others, due to a variety of reasons, used it as a safety net to allow them feel productive.
I always had issues with how CE was paid. It was work but with the tiny top-up of a person’s welfare. Was it fair? I still can’t make my mind up.
JobBridge is a whole new ball game. My perspectives have changed too. After a period of prolonged unemployment, I made the decision to take part in an intern scheme focused at disabled graduates. I was lucky enough to be accepted and from September 2006 to March 2007, I was a civil servant. The really interesting (and good) bit was I was on a full salary for the six months. Before you get too excited, there were stipulations that ruled out my applying for any internal jobs within the six months and I won’t be a civil service pensioner! The scheme worked. I went into full-time employment straight after ending my placement. I gained skills. I gained confidence.
In the nine years since I took part in the scheme, 240 others have gone through the WAM scheme organised by the Association for Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD). Yes, I know it is a small number compared to the original 3,000 JobBridge place but its focused nature works.
The same can’t be said of JobBridge. From its inception, it looked like cheap labour. Far too many placements looked like ‘real’ jobs that should be paying a decent wage. If I was unemployed now, I would be very very wary of taking up a job bridge place. I do believe my skills have their value. They should not be seen as cheap labour. Is that too much to ask?
These concerns were discussed on Lunchtime today when we heard IMPACT trade union call for the scheme to be be scrapped.
The union says some companies have 'exploited' the Government programme to replace full time jobs.
Dr Mary Murphy of NUI Maynooth, the author of the report joined Ciara McDonagh in studio and debated the issue with Minister for Minister of State for Employment, Community and Social Support Kevin Humphreys.
You can hear the debate here:
