Hi,

I've been claiming IB JSA for nearly 3 months ahd have just received a
letter saying I need to attend a "Back to Work" interview.  The
interview will take place a few days after the 3 mkonths date.  I just
wanted to ask if it is normal to be asked to attend after 3 months or
whether something is up ?  Also,  I was unemployed a bit over a year
before this stint and I wondered whether there are any retraining
schemes or anything more positive than idleness available to me from
the Jobcentre ?

Thanks,

David

On 14 Aug, 14:18, mangled...@yahoo.com wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I've been claiming IB JSA for nearly 3 months ahd have just received a
> letter saying I need to attend a "Back to Work" interview.  The
> interview will take place a few days after the 3 mkonths date.  I just
> wanted to ask if it is normal to be asked to attend after 3 months or
> whether something is up ?  Also,  I was unemployed a bit over a year
> before this stint and I wondered whether there are any retraining
> schemes or anything more positive than idleness available to me from
> the Jobcentre ?
>
> Thanks,
>
> David

I suspect this will be a routine interview to check that you are
"actively seeking work" and discuss what you are doing to get back
into work.
Maybe ask them about retraining options etc. Obviously they will not
be as pro-active as a private employment agency but they *may* have
some suggestions that can help. Given that "the unemployed" are not
high on the political agenda at the moment (unlike single parents and
people with long term sickeness) then I think it will be a fairly low
key thing.

mangled_us@yahoo.com wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I've been claiming IB JSA for nearly 3 months ahd have just received a
> letter saying I need to attend a "Back to Work" interview.  The
> interview will take place a few days after the 3 mkonths date.  I just
> wanted to ask if it is normal to be asked to attend after 3 months or
> whether something is up ?  Also,  I was unemployed a bit over a year
> before this stint and I wondered whether there are any retraining
> schemes or anything more positive than idleness available to me from
> the Jobcentre ?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> David

It's normal. For the first 3 months of unemployment you are able to 
restrict the type of job / wages you are prepared to take. After 3 
months you are expected to widen your search and in part this is what 
the interview will be for. Everyone, as far as I know, is called in 
after 3 months if still unemployed.

I would ask about retraining etc at your interview, this could be 
something positive to discuss with them as it shows willing to help 
yourself.

Thanks for the answers,  I guess there's nothing to worry about as I
have plenty of jobsearch evidence.

David