Is there any point in going to the job centre?

[DontEatTheVolesKids]

I recently started actively looking for a job.

I have a highly educated highly technical background but I am 7 yrs out of the field, most the jobs are FT and mostly many hours drive away even if my skills weren't rusty.
I (think that I) already know the few employers within 45min. drive who might have the right sorts of jobs for my background, I look at their websites at least once a week for vacancies.

Retraining to update my tech skills would involve very expensive residential courses in far away places, and then all the jobs would be far away, too (DH loves his job which is local-ish & well paid).

From what I can see of local free FE courses, they are all targetting well below my current skill levels (7 yrs out of work or not).

I don't need to sign-on (don't need the money).

I don't want the stress of being pressured counselled into taking jobs I couldn't stick at, I want the option to be a bit picky.

Does Direct.gov list the same jobs as the Job Centre? Within 25 miles directgov job listings all seem to be low skills, lots of carers jobs especially, plus a few tradesman type jobs (like construction things). And driving HGV type jobs.

So would the job centre offer me anything? Do they often list vacancies not listed online?

My BIL was made redundant last year, and going on what he has said the website does list the same jobs as the job centre. He also said there isn't much point in asking the job centre for help with training because what they offer is very limited - eg: literacy, numeracy, basic computer skills.

Sorry, that's probably not much help :(

As far as I can tell the vacancies are the same on the website.
I was in a similar situation although I did need the money so had to sign on. The only course I went on was a CV writing course which was really helpful. They didn't suggest any basic skills courses to me.
My only worry was the time limits to find something. You get a number of weeks when you're allowed to apply for what you want at the salary you want, then after that you have to apply for whatever they suggest. Thankfully I found something before I got to that stage.

It's not the most pleasant experience, I was at the need to have security guards in an office. The staff were always polite and helpful but if I hadn't needed the money I probably would t have bothered.

It is helpful, Saskia, because it confirmed what I thought I knew :).

My one & only experience with Job Centre was I signed on, told to come back a fortnight later; then I got an interview on that same date. So I phoned up to say I can't come in because of interview (2.5 hours train ride away). Fine they said on the phone, just come in a fortnight later & explain what happened.

Few days after I got back from interview I got a letter to say I was being cut off JSA because of no show for the fortnightly JSA interview. Luckily I got the job, anyway.

DH was pressured to take jobs well beneath his qualifications, too.

You say you don't need the money but you have paid the contributions and it's money for groceries surely? My DH is signing on again after being out of work for a stint last year too and they don't seem to push him towards anything out of the field he is looking in as long as he shows he is making progress with job search, I think that the NI contribution based JSA only requires that you are looking in your chosen field. If that runs out and you are claiming income based JSA then you might have to look more broadly but you have a choice at this point whether to keep claiming or not. Last year I felt ambivalent about such a small amount of money but this year I was pushing him out the door to claim it. Please don't let it go!

I always thought you need to sign on to get NI based JSA. Also isn't there something about the govt contributing to the NI if you are seeking work? I assume the later means you would have to sign on isn't it?

Yeah, you need to sign on even if it is just for your NI contributions, as it will count for your HRP. Though not as much of an issue if you haven't been claiming through your Child Benefit for 19 years (the maximum you are allowed).

if you havn't been in work recently eg eligable for contributions based JSA then there is no point in going to the job centre - if you are within reach of london womenlikeus have some great job searching course which might really help

I am making voluntary NI contribs, actually, have been for 2 or 3 yrs maybe. Don't know what position that places me in.

is that for self employment as i think they don't count - you would have to check

• BTW do you have children under 16 or other caring responsiblities as you get credit towards pension etc without making any payments