Hi, I've been a long time follower of this thread, and only just finally decided to register and join in.
I've been with ingeus for about 5 months now. For the last few months they've had me in twice a week for 'group' job searches and '1 on 1 adviser' job searches. Both of which I'm generally sat alone and only have contact with the receptionist as I say hello and goodbye.
I've been passed around the office a few times and have a new adviser every week - not good for someone who doesn't remember names easily.
Right now they've sent me to a different training company to do a Level 2 retail course - I'm a trained vet nurse and definitely do not want to work in retail, to me I'd consider it one of the worst jobs I could possibly have. I didn't get asked if I wanted to go on this course, I just got a letter through the post 2 days before the course started saying it was mandatory I showed up, of course with additional sanction threats. It's 3 days a week, 9am until 3:30pm for 8 weeks, which as well as going to ingeus the other 2 days, has forced me to stop volunteering at local animal charity.
Is there anyways I can get out of the course without a sanction? I never apply for retail jobs, and JCP are fine with that. So I can't see how sitting in a ridiculously over crowded classroom for 8 weeks is going to ever help me.
If I could afford to I'd definitely sign off and look for work myself. I've had less interviews since I started at Ingeus than I did before hand.
Thanks for any help.