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This might be a long thread but it has been playing on my mind since a conversation with the DWP yesterday. I think we have a serious problem with how we make use the skills of those who have lost high skill jobs because of the pandemic. /1
The UK is currently a place where airline pilots are working as delivery drivers. They are paying minimal tax a year instead of the large amount of tax they used to pay. /2
I asked the DWP what access to training was available to me to help me get back into the work force because I have lots of transferrable skills. The very kind woman at the DWP was honest enough to admit there was not really anything available. /3
Despite all the shit Johnson & his cabal crap on about, the Govt won't spend any money providing anything except the most basic of training. That works for low level work (no judgement on the people who do that work) but it doesn't work for the airline pilot. /4
So, as I understand it, unless it is the most basic training, the Govt has no interest in funding it. That seems completely counter productive to me. If the airline pilot get expensive training (say £5K) and then gets a job where they pay £30K pa tax, that's money well spent. /5
Remember those ridiculous 'Your next job could be in Cyber' ads ? If the DWP won't train people, how the fuck does anyone get a job in Cyber ? /6
I wanted to retrain under Michael Gove's much hyped Customs programme. As a trade lawyer, I would probably be good at it. BUT, the scheme requires to you have a job in customs before your employer (not you) can access Govt assistance. /7
What is the fucking point of this ? Pointless and self defeating. Anyway ...... I do not have any answers but the current system doesn't make sense. If we invest in people (particularly now), it seems to me that we actually get so much back in return. Rant over. /8
PS. I get £350 a month to live on from UC. That is soon to be reduced by £20 a week. Obviously, I cannot afford to pay for even the most basic training. Well, I could but it would mean going without food.
