During my married years, I had to register for bankruptcy; it was either that or starve and freeze. The reason for unemployment? I am now over qualified! I am a Post-Graduate specialising in the field of Education and in addition, I have other professional qualifications to include over eight NVQ at levels 4-5 and various other 50+ professional Accredited diplomas from reputable colleges and universities. In addition to this; (pardon the pun) I unfortunately; have dyscalculia, a form of number blindness, it is similar to dyslexia, not that I promote it or let it stop me in any way. (I use to help people set up in business and explain successfully, spreadsheets to them without any difficulty - the problem is remembering basic maths, weird really, I normally get by, however; I need the paperwork now to prove I can do maths, not for the want of trying). However; because of diversity of disciplines, employers cannot decide in which pigeonhole to put me in.
I don't do drugs, alcohol, I haven't had a holiday for many years, I have given up on Christmas because I cannot afford it and I don't really see the church establishment in a good light at the moment. Now, I have been told, we are experiencing the worst unemployment since the 70s. It does not really matter what year, It has been difficult since the 70s, no matter what party has been in power. 'Power' seems to be the crunch…. 'With power comes corruption' (George Orwell - Animal Farm). Always reminds me of bureaucrats and another statement springs to mind, 'With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility', many a true word said and this statement comes from a most unlikely source. It is believed to come from; most likely a fictional reference, (Stan Lee - Marvel Comics - Spiderman) or it is said, another possible source, possibly President Roosevelt. "Great Power Comes Great Responsibility", yes, right!
My last job was with a Training and Recruitment Organisation and I was employed in a 'Permanent' role or so I thought, until the Conservative coalition got in and cut the funding. Last in first out, I was made redundant again after six months.
The present government, (John Major) has introduced new initiatives (jobseekers) for the unemployed and I was enrolled initially with a company within the (West Midlands), half way through this scheme, not sure what else to call it? The term scheme has its own connotations. The goalposts have been moved and I was told I would have to complete and re-enrol onto another initiative. This was later to be identified as another company in the (West Midlands) both miles away from my home. Unfortunately, both initiatives only seem to concentrate on manual workers or non to low qualified. They are not equipped to work with Graduates or Post graduates and the staff are less qualified. It is like 'year 8 pupils teaching the teacher'. It is obvious that more thought needs to be invested in these initiatives as money is being wasted. The time it takes me to shuffle paper and photocopy, to meet my qualifying one hundred and thirty hours of free labour, (is quite demeaning considering my professional experiences. Action Plans? What Action Plans….? I can be looking for professional full-time employment, which, as you know is a full-time occupation in itself. The placements these initiatives offer is compulsory, not voluntary work within a charity shops. What benefit is that to me? The position requires me to learn something new! It is like placing a brain surgeon in a sweet shop.
I have worked for nothing, most of my life. All it is; is an excuse for organisations to obtain free labour - 'a form of slavery' as benefits are one-sided. My time is valuable, especially at my age.
