Anyone done launch pad through job centre? What's it like?

[Tortoise]

I need to get back to work (youngest will be 7 in July) but i don't know what i want to do etc and job centre want me to go on this launch pad course they run.
I am very wary of going because it is my idea of hell to sit in a room full of people i don't know!
So i wondered if anyone had done it and what you had to do? All i know really is that it is everyday for 4 wks then placement for 4 wks after that.

Hi Tortoise,
I'm jumptoit and I've just been to my local job centre today for a 'back to work session'. we had a talk about our work options, not sure if this is the same thing but they talked about 'work trials'. This allows the employer to take you on for a month and for you to get a months work experience before you decide if it's the job for you. I believe it's being renamed soon to work experience. Its a self promoting tool whatever that means.
Was your decision to go back to work voluntary or are you under pressure because you have a child who is 7? If so we might have something in common. Look forward to hearing from you. J

Hi,
It doesn't sound like exactly the same thing. This isn't run at the job centre and you have to attend everyday for 4 wks they then help find a local placement for you to attend for work experience.
If i am honest i would say under pressure because youngest will be 7 in July. Although i would like to find work at some point. I don't drive which makes it harder and i live in a small town so there aren't many jobs around especially part time.

Im just doing a LaunchPad course in Brighton.
We are required to go 4 days a week 10am-2pm.

I was told I would be given a workplacement
BUT when arriving at the course we actually have to find our own place.

The course gives help on confidence, direction, motivation,findingyour skills area, CV completion and applications etc.

It is interesting and the best thing is meeting others in the same situation as yourself...most of my fellow people are single mums being told to find work as the kids are reaching 7 years old the rest are people who are long term unemployed due to other issues.

You get travel expenses each week and also an extra payment of £15 per week for attending. Our times are set due to school pick ups and also showing how getting in a routine of being somewhere for set times would fit in your life.

I was really uptight about going but when I got there its been really nice!! Everyone helps each other and some have helped people find jobs to apply for already.

The only thing is not to find a work placement but I dont have a CRB check and would ideally like a place within a school, but time will tell.

It is hard to find work that fits in with family but at least they cant you arent trying when you go on a course. Even though alot of jobs Im interested in have "for JSA only aged 18-24yrs" on the information due to the new goverment push on getting them into work which gets annoying.

Good luck and hope everything goes as easily with your course
Kim