The world of work, And a cycle that needs to be broken

This story begins back in 2007. I had just started the last part of my final year of my Degree (Computers - Networking). I arrived back in January on a downer. You see, just before Christmas of 2006 (just a few days in fact) my father had passed away. This had the house in disarray, worries of bad credit, how to pay the bills etc. A Very worrying time, as we didn't even know if we could keep the house, and pay off my father's dept. (this was thankfully written off by the banks later on).

My friends where pleased to see me, and I them; asking how Christmas had been. They where supportive of me when I told them what had happened, and since I was doing group work with them, they helped me a little bit more. I am still grateful for them to this day, of course.

University ended, exams completed, qualifications finalised. I passed the course, and was looking forward to see what the world of work could offer me. Being summer though, I wanted to take a break. Not long though after finishing university, I had received a letter from the government, you know one of those in the brown envelopes, so you know it is going to be something not so good. It told me that my 'circumstances' had changed, and that I had to start paying in national insurance. That meant go get a job, but since I wanted a short break at least; I signed onto the dole.

Graduation came and went, and it was about time I started looking for work. Reality struck me hard at this point, as the seemingly endles rejection letters poured in, but mostly I didn't get responces at all. Telling me such things as, I lack the experiance, or that I was over qualified. This went on for quite some time.

Eventually, since I was unemployed for over 6 months, the job centre put me on what was called at the time "flexible new deal". They had just added the word flexible, as the previous scheme was just called "new deal". Of course there was nothing at all flexible about the whole thing, nor was it new. It was more of a "bad deal". They had me going upstairs, to see the same advisor every week to try and help me into work. The lady was no help at all of course.

I did go on some job interviews, and I needed some clothing for that. I could have paid for it out of the dole money; but instead I took advantage on what was on offer, an "adviser discretionary fund". I was given a voucher to take to a store to buy myself a suit. £100 was the maximum, I was told to go for the cheapest one. I'm a big lad, and of course need big sizes in clothing. The cheapest in my size was just under £100, around £97 I think. So I got the suit and took the receipt back to my adviser, only for her to have a go at me for using up most of the money, even though I gave her the reason. Oh well, I had the clothing so that was that.

Since my job centre adviser couldn't do anything for me, I was pushed onto the next part of the new deal scheme, which was attending a "course" at a place called "action for employment" or "A4E" for short. I was sent there for four weeks, doing poor exercises, CV writing, and how to fill in job applications. I came to realise very quickly, that the place would not help me at all. The staff where condescending, not treating people like adults at all. An awful place. I attended 5 days a week.

After this, ushered back to the job centre, only to be told that I would be going back to A4E for a further 13 weeks. Attending 5 days a week, from 9AM to 5PM. "oh but we want to simulate work hours!". The atmosphere of the place was uninviting. Non of the people wanted to be there, and the staff treating everyone with contempt.

I started off in the "large room" with more people than what there was space for. There were just two computers, both of which where taken up by the time I got in, with those same people being on them all day. The only other thing they "allowed" us to do was flip through the yellow pages, do telephone calls and send out spec letters. The line they gave was "there are more jobs available in the hidden jobs market" which of course is complete nonsense.And the other thing was to play scrabble. No thanks.

I started taking a book in with me to read, I sat silently in the corner by myself not liking anyone there, not causing any trouble. This was good for a while until the lady (more like beast) running that room and a strop at me for not following her orders. I had a talk with the manager about this, and as I can be a bit fragile, I was not assertive enough in that situation. Nevertheless, they moved me out of that room and I was put in the "computer room".

A smaller group of people, a more decent guy running the room, and I needed to interact with people less. Good. And of course access to a computer. We had to "job search" all damn day. Five days a week for seven hours. There is only so many places to search on, and just ended up messing with games and whatnot. We got an hour for lunch of course which I mostly spent out of the building to get away from there.

The boredom started to eat away at me, and by lunch time as I walked out of the building, I never returned for the rest of the day. I did this A LOT. But then due to this I was kicked off the "course" and sent back to the job centre for "non compliance" and was told they might be sanctioning my money. I never did hear the result of this, but my money was never stopped.

I was sent back to A4E a couple of weeks after this, and was put in the "naughty room". Full of chavs, horrible people. We had a movie day each Friday, and it was always some chav garbage. I forget what exactly they where, I've blocked a lot of the experience out of my mind. We had to go on walks in the country side, me with these awful people. The lady running the room liked to tell us about her teenage pregnancy years, and that she had worked her way up from there. She was an awful woman though.

This nightmare came to a close, and I was back at the job centre with my adviser from before. For some reason she seemed a bit more chipper, and was a lot nicer. Or maybe she seemed that way due to the contrast from my A4E experience. Either way, she had some training available; some retail training. It was sponsored by John Lewis, we where to have an interview at the end with a "guaranteed job"

This was to be done at "The Source", near meadowhall shopping centre. I was apprehensive about it at first, but arriving there to the modern building, it was almost inviting. Small training room with a nice lady running it, posh tea and biscuits. Great stuff! we learned on how to push sales, some customer support. I met a guy there, he liked his comic books and whatnot, so we got along well. I think he had learning difficulties, but he was a nice guy. The rest of the class where all female. We hung out in the comic book store at lunch time, and did out work together. Was actually fun.

Non of us on the course never made it past interview stage. This was not surprising, but was quite disappointing. We said out goodbyes, and I never saw any of them ever again. This was a two week course.

During all of this, I was applying for just about any job that even remotely resembled my skill level, which was quite a few. Most was agency work. Shortly after this, I recieved a call from "office angels"; invited me in to sign up and do a little test on the computer. After doing the test, (and filling out forms etc) the lady told me "right, you start Monday". A strange feeling came over me, of excitement, joy and a little dread.

Fianlly, after nearly two years of unemployment; I had a job! I was working for the immigration department of the home office, via the agency. I was here for nearly two years, the contract kept being extended. Started of with data input, then moving around to various teams doing all sorts of admin related tasks. I had a lot of experience for my CV.

After the nearly two years, reality struck again, as I was suddenly out of work again. My CV didn't seem to mean much to potential employers, as I didn't get any where. So once again I ended up on another government scheme. This time it was called the "Work program". The job centre told me I would either be sent to A4E, or SERCO. My heart sank, as memories of my previous time came back to me, and I nearly threw up outside.

Thenkfully though, I didn't end up at A4E. SERCO do things a little differently to other providers, and they outsourse to other smaller providers. There are three stages to this scheme, where you spend a few weeks at one provider and if they can't help you, moved onto another etc. I started out at a place called Wise Ability.

I was introduced to a place of empty promises and cattle like maneuvering of people. There was a "welcome session" where we where gathered into a room in front of a projector with a presentation. We where told they would do all sorts of things for us, it seemed very promising. But going in for my first official appointment, we where shown a computer and told to apply for X amount of jobs. And that was it. Near the end of my time there, I was given some one to one sessions, with a guy that didn't know one day from the next, or if he was coming or going. This didn't go anywhere. My last day I was told another place would get into contact with me.

I was contacted by a place called "yes2ventures". They booked me in, sent me a letter etc. Looking at the map I was quickly confused. The place was in a part of Sheffield that I rarely visited, seemingly in the middle of no where. I got lost on the way, but eventually got there.

I was surprised on how different the place was. Very tiny office with just a couple of rooms. Of course I was nervous. I was sat in yet another "welcome session" with just a couple of others. We sat and talked about how bad our previous providers where. The man running the session, a Mark Powell, was running late. We waited in there for what must have been an hour. When he eventually showed, it was well worth the wait. A very well mannered man greeted us, and sat talking to us about various things. It was not formal at all, and even though I couldn't quite control my anxiety; I was a little more at ease.

My first one to one with Mark, I discussed with him some things that I had never previously discussed with any "strangers" before. I think it was a mix of me at this stage being more open about my anxiety, and the fact that this man was very easy to talk to, and very understanding. He could see that I was not quite ready for work, didn't push me into anything, and we had a nice chat every couple of weeks.

He obviously saw some potential in me, as a month so in, he called me and offered me a potential job working for him to fill in the shoes of a guy that worked at the front desk of the small office. There was some training to be done with the computer system, after which I would be able to start the paid or un-paid work. With me was another guy called Cliff, nice guy. Pete the main admin guy trained us on a couple of Fridays. We did a test at the end of it, and passed. Yey.

So not long after I received a call. It was either Mark or Pete, I can't remember now. I had got the job! just over 16 hours, but it was enough to sign off and get back into work. Great stuff. Getting off the phone with a similar feeling I one had at the agency, of excitement, joy, and a little dread. I remember calling my friends with the news.

The place has had a few staff changes, I feel even more at ease here, and enjoying spending time with my colleagues. They are great people, and for the first time I feel right at home. As even at the home office, I didn't get on that well with people, like they where on a completely different level. I did make friends there though, just not on the same teams I worked on.

(The cycle by  the way, was nearly 2 years out of work, then nearly two years in. Then nearly two years out again. It is getting close to two years being in work, so let's hop the cycle is broken and that I am still here by this time next year!)

I am still here at Yes2Ventures to this day. And it all because of the great guy that runs this place. So I dedicate this post to Mark Powell.

Work work, money made.

I was making room in my storage room the other day, I have accumilated a LOT of stuff. No not like an episode of horders; actual good stuff. My figures, transformers, computer stuff, gaming stuff etc. Anyway, I came accross a folder of my Father's, from a place he attended training courses at back in the day.

An essay he did for his careers module; I could see a lot of myself in here. Like father like son I guess. I thought it might serve as some inspiration for some of the people that come in, needing help to find work, and get their lives back on track. So without further a do, here it is.


Careers Essay, By David Ahmed

For me, the purpose of this essay is to try to convey what my plans are for the future, career-wise. To do this I must also bring in the past and present, and then link them all together, hopefully determining the right path.

I first left school some twenty years ago, back in 1971, at the age of fifteen. My original plans where to stay on, to gain qualification, mainly in the subjects of English, Art, and commerce. I would also learn to type.

However, I had only been in my extra year for a couple of weeks when my father asked me if I was interested in filling a job for a vacancy which existed at a steel rolling and forging company where he worked. My father worked in the rolling department, but the vacancy was in the forging section.

At first I was not too thrilled at the idea, especially as I regarded myself as a sensitive type, who even hated the metal work classes in my previous school years. What tempted me though, was the chance of a decent weekly starter wage.

I had become accustomed to having money, what with the small wage I had been receiving from a part-time job, stacking shelves in a local supermarket, and the generous allowance that I got from my parents. The chance at a full wage was just too tempting.

During the interview at the firm, I was told that I had got the job. Admittedly though, when I walked past the forge where I was to work, and saw the banging steam hammers and white hot metal, it made me cringe.

My feelings did not change when I started the job. I was quiet, and the ‘old hand’ forge men were reluctant to teach me the ropes. Nevertheless, I persevered, and resolved that one day I would do the job as good as any of the men there.

This I did, and not only that; I left some time later, to work for another company which produced even heavier work.

A while after, I returned to work for the firm I had originally started with; this time though, with even greater confidence, and a lot more respect from my fellow workers. I was later to realise that all thia was based on wrong thinking, though I did not see it at the time.

The next ten years of my life where spent in that industry, adding up to about thirteen years all-told.

For one reason or another, including redundancies, I left the industry, and went back to work with a couple of firms that produced light metal work. My duties included a little machining, assembling and such. Redundancies though, ended my time with them, and it was then that I began my long encounter with the dole office.

I have been unemployed for a few years now, during which time I have been through spurts of enthusiasm in looking for work, and due to repeated disappointments; times when I have never looked at all.

My time has not been completely wasted though. Our library service has proved to be very, very useful to me. I have spent hours in those places, reading books on subjects ranging from photography which has been a favourite of mine to uplifting books on self-growth, which came under the spiritual, physiological and philosophical. This for me, is the most interesting subject.

As far as the photography is concerned, I was so fired up with it a couple of years ago, that I joined an evening course at a local college. My aim was to gain an academic qualification. Sadly though, photography is largely a middle class pastime, and in this subject at least, even our socialist-backed colleges favour the ‘haves’ over the ‘have nots’.

To cut a long story short, I left after a few months, with a bitter taste in my mouth. For I decided that a mare ‘C’ grade, which looked to be the best I would get, due to being at a financial disadvantage; would not reflect the knowledge I had gained in the subject.

Although, I believe that there is something to be gained out of every experience. I regard the practical darkroom experience I got from the course as invaluable. One day it may come in useful.

 As far as any other kind of structured training was concerned; due to the year of not getting work at the end of it, I never even considered it; that is until I joined MATREC, where I still am to this day.

MATREC is an acronym standing for Manor Training and Resource Centre; Manor being the area of Sheffield where I live. It is not a government connected agency, but exists mainly for the needs of local people; with a variety of sponsors. 

The organisation is relatively new, and was first brought to my notice in the summer of 1990. Apparently they had been launched some kind of publicity campaign, which included representatives knocking on doors in the locality, and speaking to people with regards to training needs.

One such person knocked on our door one day, whilst I was out. My wife had politely said that we were not interested, and I gave support to her response when I got home.

As part of that same campaign though, we received a leaflet, a few days later. I remember sitting down and reading it, deciding that I would go and visit them to see what was on offer.

A short while after, maybe a couple of days, I called in at MATREC. I recall trying to open the door, and as I did so, a short and odd sounding alarm beep occurred as I got the door open. Evidently this was a security measure to announce visitors. Even so, this seemed to put me off in some way, and I promptly walked away from the place without ever going in. if I was to be honest with myself though, it served as a good excuse for me not to have to speak to anyone there. What the experience did to for me though was get me interested in training of some kind at least. 

Some weeks later, whilst I was in the city centre, I had a chance meeting with my daughter’s first ever primary school teacher, who had now left teaching, but was working for the L.E.A. She asked me where I was bound for, and I told her I was looking for training of some kind. After our conversation, I said goodbye to her, and she wished me luck in my endeavour.

Just a few days later though, I bumped into her again, whilst in the town centre. Apparently in her capacity as a representative of the L.E.A., she had been speaking to someone from MATREC for some reason. Remembering from our last meeting that I was looking for training, she had mentioned my name, saying that she would direct me to them the next time she saw me. Our second meeting enabled her to do this. I then left this good lady, saying that I would visit MATREC the following day; whilst at the same time conveying my thanks to her.

The following day I called ay MATREC, but the time I got through the front door without being too deterred by the strange alarm.

Before I got any further, I think it best for me to mention, that the main reason I was making this visit, was out of sheer respect to the lady who had directed me there. For I had always, and still do, hold her in very high regard.

Anyway, when I got into the building, I asked to see the person whose name had been given to me. He then came out to chat with me, giving me various information.

I must admit, I was impressed with everything, the place itself, the person speaking to me, and the information I was being given. It was agreed that I would begin a ten week module starting in September of that year. This would be on the subject of basic computing, and would be held in a local church hall, rather than the centre itself. For this I would be attending one day each week for approximately two hours.

Also, provided that I got through all they successfully, I would then start another course at the centre itself in January; a course which would last a whole year, with attendance of two full days a week. This was called: General Office Course, and would incorporate a good many skills, which included also included English and typing. I signed for both courses at the same time.

That day, I left the MATREC building, a happier person. I also felt very strange as it suddenly dawned on me that I was back in a similar position to what I was twenty years, or nearly thirty years earlier, when I had stayed on at school. Even the skills were going to be very similar to some of the ones I was going to o back then. This time though, I promised myself I would see it through.

When I mentioned earlier about my wrong-thinking whist I was working in those forges, it was because I should have been asking myself just why it was that I was seeking respect of my fellow workers, in a job that, if I had been completely honest with myself; hated.

Please don’t take me wrong; I will always have a particular respect for the people who work in that job. Also, whilst I was working in it, I received good pay, and had very few complaints in that respect.

What I should have been doing though, was concentrating on getting out of the steel industry altogether, and perusing something which fell into line with the real me.

Thankfully though, because of the ever changing pace of the steel industry, forging included;  I am no longer qualified for it. Even for those that are, there are very few jobs anyway.

When I was talking about something to be gained out of every situation; in the case of unemployment, this is giving me the opportunity to follow up some kind of career that I will truly enjoy, as it gives me the chance to get the required training.

Anyhow, when the time came for me to start that first course at the church hall, I must admit, a feeling of apprehension swept over me. Though this turned out to be unfounded, for the course was really enjoyable. All the people where nice, both tutors and students; and the subject was very interesting. Even the lady vicar from that church was on the course, which added to the feeling of togetherness in learning.

During the very last lesson, very near to Christmas, we were all partaking of a drink of wine and a mince pie, and I can remember reflecting on everything I had gained from it all. This included, new friends, some good basic knowledge in computing, the prospect of a college certificate to prove it, and the awareness that I was doing something that fell more into line with what I wanted. I was now ready to start the fuller course at the centre in the New Year, and looking very forward to it.

Just before Christmas, all those who would be starting the year-long course at MATREC, were invited down there for a talk, and a cup of coffee and such.

On the last course, the people were mainly much older than I was, in fact, some were elderly. There was only one other man apart from myself; nevertheless his presence made me feel a little less isolated in that respect. However, those on the next course would all be young ladies, and I cannot put into words how I was feeling about that.

I arrived for that designated open day at MATREC just prior to Christmas. The gentleman who I had spoken to on my first visit showed me into the coffee lounge to meet some of those ladies who would be joining me on the course, and I wondered how they would greet me. Thankfully though, all turned out well.

Some of us then went onto watch a video about MATREC, followed by the chance to ask questions and to have a chat.

I came away feeling encouraged, though I’ve got to admit, still a little nervous about the fact that I was to be the only man on our particular course.

Christmas, spent of course with my wife and two children, seemed to pass quickly. When New Years Eve came though, my guts started to ache at the prospect of starting this course. In fact I began to ask myself what the hell I had let myself in for.

I am happy to say though, that these fears too were unfounded, and that so far, my time at MATREC has been truly worthwhile. I have learned to type, suing all fingers, something I have always wanted to do. Alright, my speed is not up to much yet, but I’ll get there.

The other subjects have been great too. Communications, with its accent on debate; computing at a more advanced level; English, with its emphasis on the written word; and not forgetting of course, careers, and much more.

All the facilities and the equipment at MATREC are excellent, but where it comes into its own, is through the warmth and friendliness of both staff and students alike.

As well as critical appraisal where need be, students are also given encouragement and support in their natural abilities. After all, encouraging words here and there, can sometimes be all that are needed to spur a student on to succeed in his or her chosen field.

Unlike schools, with their seemingly ridiculous expectation that pupils excel in every subject. Their constant cries of “doesn’t try hard enough” “could do better” and other such ludicrous ranting can do for confidence what foot and mouth does for cattle.

Even though MATREC’s premises are being expanded at the moment, one noticeable aspect of the centre is that because it is on the smaller side at present, there is little space to hide. This effectively almost forces people to socialise more. Eventually this can do wonders for the self-confidence, and the same time, make a person a lot of friends. This has helped me no end, particularly as I had been of the ‘people scene’ for quite a while before joining these courses.

Since this essay is being written for the careers module, I think it fitting for me to mention that I have chosen not to do a ‘job study’ as originally requested. This is because, rather than to take time up doing a detailed study of a single job that I would probably never do, I would rather use the time to try to asses which career path I would like to take.

Although this is not a criticism, for I realise that for some people the ‘job study’ could prove to be a useful exercise, especially if they were that little more certain of what they wanted to do.

All in all, I recon the careers module has been worthwhile. The exercise I liked best, was the one where were given packs of small cards listing our preferences, talents, skills etc., and fitting them to the corresponding jobs. I also enjoyed the computerised version of this, which we were able to use whist out on a trip to the careers office one week.

Much of what I learned about myself on the exercises, I already knew. However, sometimes when an old truth, even one only known to ourselves is expressed or illuminated to us in a new way, it can often bring about a depth of realisation never known to us before. Moreover, if we didn’t know in the first place, then we have benefited even more. In my own case, I think I learned something.

My appreciation also goes out to Chris, the ‘tutor’ of this particular module, who’s job, particularly in an area like careers, is not an easy one.

I have a fair idea what I would like to do career-wise, and it lies in the area of advisory or counselling work. Without giving away too much about myself personally, I have experienced a lot of suffering in my own life, and I reason that if I could help others in some way, then at least it has been worth it. By the way, any office skills and such that I acquired would serve as a backup for me in that kind of job.

I never know though, I may finish up doing something different; I’ll leave the way open for now.

MATREC is soon to begin some work experience programmes, which for me, is the best opportunity ever of finding out what I would like to do. Hopefully, if I try a bit of this and a bit of that, I will end up finding my niche in life, whatever that may be….