Swan Centre

I swore I wouldn't do this, however, I'm angry. I'm in the Swan Centre, a training centre funded by FAS/Intreo or whatever they're called now. Our tutor isn't in - again. Instead we have a guy who's been here before and is good, but they wont give him the time to build up his class or establish himself here to generate a rapport with the students. There's no consistency.

There's a serious disconnect between the teaching

here and the needs of an employer. Just doing something for the sake of it to demonstrate that you are actually active in the market place is pointless.

The 'course' is that basic its not even leaving cert level. For those of us who really want to get jobs the course is inadequate. In fact, there are obstacles put in your way, preventing you from moving forward, and yet you get penalized by the system for not advancing. Logic?

All governments put in place some really stupid rules, but this one, Enda Kenny's one to be specific, has to be one of the worst. What kind of system is allowed to continue, when it clearly doesn't work. There are people like me all over the country who are effectively trapped in an endless cycle of course/dole/sick/disability, or some combination of these.

I've said it before, but Ireland is a bad place to be sick in. Once you're inducted into 'the system' there are active mechanisms to keep you down. These aren't visible to most, but as soon as you're in a weakened position your are victimized. 

I was under the impression that it was just me that felt this, but there are a least two others on this 'course' with me who are feeling the effects. All we've done is get sick enough to be away from the workforce a bit longer than is deemed as acceptable. That's to say, more that a day or two.

There's a certain cohort that dismisses people and their problems, yet these caring people will say, you're not working because you have low self esteem, or you lack confidence. Or the other one is you have no experience, or a personal favourite, you're over qualified.

You can't get a job from a standing start. It's even harder as an unemployed 'mature' worker, not that getting a job when you're just out of college is easy. But you seen as obsolete when you've previously had a job, then lost it for whatever reason. This is why the stigma of mental illness is so bad in Ireland. Like I said, and have been saying for years, Ireland is not the place to be sick. People will eat you up and spit you out with the rubbish. I may continue this, but not today because I'm getting very, very angry..

Let me clarify this

This program is predicted on being placed with an employer within your area of interest in the hope that you gain enough relevant experience to be of some value in the workplace. Although I'm sure they do a fine job, not everyone is suited to the demanding lifestyle of a Charity Shop Employee.

While you're on the course you get the equivalent social welfare payment. This is no longer a social welfare payment but it's now called a training allowance and REHAB through FAS or SOLAS or whoever it is this week that hasn't fleeced the state, manages the payment. So technically you're not on social welfare, but you're no better off.

The course is level 3/4 on the NFQ, which really means that in the eyes of the state you can give your name and address if approached by a figure of authority or perhaps even write it down if your pushed to do so. At this level the main requirement that a student needs to gain entry to the course is consciousness. If you can breath unaided you're on to a winner.

You also get a meal allowance of €4 a week. That's generous enough to buy ¾ of a sandwich, or a packet of crisps and 2 litres of cola, but they have to last all week. You're not working though, so you don't really need food. It's just a generous bonus given to you by a caring government.

When you have completed your intensive highly relevant course you have a number of choices. You can go back to doing fuck all but at a very reduced rate, because you're educated now, with a qualification and all so you should be able to get any job advertised. You could further your studies by doing a level 5 where you're taught the ins and outs of presentation skills and mouse work, as you'll have a qualification in standing in front of an audience and talking shite and using a mouse to click on anything that resembles a picture (icon). You could do an internship (wait, no you can't), you could do a CE Scheme if you can pick up rubbish with a grabber, provided you can walk for eight hours straight. Or you could leave the country in the mass emigration known as the "brain drain"

With all of this knowledge and greater confidence you can face any challenge with the certainty that you have a state endorsed certificate of learning. You'll be over qualified to sit on the board of Irish Water, but you might be in with a chance of getting elected as a senator. The world is you oyster.

I trust this puts some perspective on the first part of the post, but if not ring the Taoiseach, every citizen has access to the leader of the country...