CDG lies confirmed

During a long wait at a local Job Centre I got into conversation with a girl who was also waiting. I said next they'll be sending you on a scam training course. She said that she had been on one last year, run by CDG. I was interested to learn if her experience tallied with the critical comment on Indymedia UK and elsewhere.

CDG (Careers Development Group), together with a4e and Working Links, run scam training courses for DWP as New Deal course providers. Attendance is mandatory for Jobseekers, benefits will be stopped if you refuse to attend.

 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/11/386689.html?c=on
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/12/388044.html?c=on
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/12/388504.html?c=on
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/01/390153.html?c=on
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/390471.html?c=on
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/390638.html?c=on
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/390901.html?c=on
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/391396.html?c=on
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/391397.html?c=on
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/391531.html
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/03/394284.html

I asked what she thought of CDG and the course. She said rubbish, the course was rubbish, the staff were rubbish, that it was a waste of her time. She went on to say everyone hated being there, that they especially hated the centre manager who strutted around like a peacock with a poker up its arse.

I asked were they ever sent home early.

She said yes, every day. Every day they were sent home by four o'clock if not before and often were sent home mid-afternoon because the staff could not cope. She added they were always sent home lunchtime on Fridays.

This and other comment she made, was to confirm much of what has been written on Indymedia UK and elsewhere and to expose the centre manager as a bare-faced liar.

 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/391531.html

In response to a query from the local Job Centre re complaints made against CDG and critical comment on Indymedia UK, the centre manager claimed clients were never sent home early!

I asked were they kicked out at lunch time.

She said yes, every lunchtime. It was a sore point to be kicked out on the streets at lunchtime.

According to the centre manager in her statement, it was a 'trial'.

I asked about the computers and access to the Internet.

She said keyboards were broken, they lacked adjustable chairs ( pointed to the chairs the Job Centre staff were sitting on). A common grievance from everyone was blocking of access to websites.

She added they lacked all the local newspapers.

I asked of work placements.

She herself had not been on one, but several other people had. They were told they had to go else benefits would be stopped. There was no discussion as to the suitability of the job placements.

This was contrary to DWP guidelines. The job placement should be discussed with the client, there should be monitoring of the job placement.

 http://www.dwp.gov.uk/supplyingdwp/what_we_buy/provider_guidance.asp

I asked were they told to apply for four jobs every day.

She said yes, with threats of loss of benefits if you did not comply.

According to centre manager in statement to local Job Centre, clients were not compelled to apply for four jobs every day.