JobCentres Go Digital
Any thoughts on this press release, readers?
Old-fashioned ‘signing-on’, job cards in windows and Full Monty-style dole queues have been consigned to the past as Jobcentres across Britain undergo a digital revolution.
High-tech equipment, including specially-designed computers that bring all Jobcentre services into one device, will be installed at more than 700 sites to make it easier for people to find work.
Around 23,000 electronic signing pads will also become a new fixture at Jobcentres around the country – signalling an end to the old-fashioned paper booklets that jobseekers carry around and sign every time they visit and saving more than £1 million a year.
Minister for Employment, Esther McVey, said:
Every day, Jobcentres across the country are helping people into work, contributing to record falls in unemployment.
But as the economy grows and the jobs market changes, so are Jobcentres. Long gone are the Full Monty days of job cards in the windows and queuing for your dole.
We’re seeing record employment levels – and with this digital revolution, the government is doing even more to help people into work.
Claimants will soon be signing on using electronic pads in a move that will help to improve security, reduce fraud in the welfare system and make the jobseeking process paperless.
At the same time, free wi-fi and 6,000 digital jobsearch computers will be installed at Jobcentre Plus sites across Britain to give claimants a new opportunity to search and apply for jobs online, using the equipment on site or their own devices.
They will also be able to use the computers to keep on top on their claims, calculate benefits and update their CVs.
Removing the standalone jobpoints, which have been a fixture of Jobcentres for 2 decades, and installing the new computers, will save more than £2 million a year.
The new equipment has already been installed in a number of Jobcentres across the country.
The electronic pads will be appearing in Jobcentres from this month – with rollout set to be completed by spring next year.
New tech coaches will also be on hand to help jobseekers get the most out of the new technology.
Same Difference 
Re:Digital JCPs?
Ohoho….where do I start?
4 IADS were installed in my local JCP (Accrington, Lancashire) approx. 14 mths ago.
From Feb to Sept this year only been able to access my email account on 2 occasions (“Invalid Password or Email Account” msg, yet NEVER stored passwords on them – n.b. no problems accessing anywhere else, public or private system).
Continually verbally notified staff of this problem on min. bi-weekly basis – no corrective action taken at any point, despite being told that some other claimants having same problem.
Opted out/discontinued use of UJM account in June after receiving Google Chrome ‘Phishing Ahead’ warning msg. 3 times in 7 days when linking to UJM page (i.e. even before login) & due to lack of vetting/security issues=JCP staff not happy & queried/browbeaten at all but 1 of subsequent weekly signing appts (this finally ceased when I submitted by hand to Assistant Manageress a Cease&Desist Of Harrassment letter on 23/9 pointing out my legal right under Data Protection Act re:personal data)…yet absolutely no complaints when did same re:2 other sites in early March & late April (for same reasons).
Digital Office conversions began on 25/8/14 – # of IADs reduced to 2.
Sanctioned on 15/9 after DMA referral for ‘doubt of ActivelySeekingEmployment’ at signing appt. on 10/9 as (according to random signing-adviser that day) “WS1 is informal diary/jobsearching record, not acceptable as evidence”…despite no problems from any previous signing-appt. adviser.
Currently requesting Mandatory Reconsideration after providing & submitting confirmation printoffs from local Library system next day (11/9) – unable to do so on 10/9 as local Library=half-day closing @1 p.m. & signing appt.@4.10 p.m., & no other access available (JCP WiFi not installed til 11/9 & I do not possess Smartphone=how convenient for sanction-referral adviser..).
Formally requested in writing on 16/9 that IT Dept. be contacted re:login problems.
Pointed out to JCP on 24/9 that continuing login difficulties may have been caused by presence of ‘keystroke-logging’ spyware (imparted to me by friend who has 20+ years in IT Dept @ BAE) & was IMMEDIATELY asked to make appt. to speak to senior manager about this possibility. Went in for app. on 27/9 – hey presto! no login problems at all…
Currently 10 IADs installed @ JCP, but only 4 connected to printers.
Have taken NetBook in with me to JCP since 27/8 in order to use for secondary verification/evidence-upon-request purposes, & was able to use it for 1st time ever on 22/10…as IAD login problems have returned.
N.B. also on 22/10, 2 claimants who were using IADs to begin Universal Credit claims could not do so as requisite site (Gov.uk?) was returned as “Unavailable”.
So much for the “Digital Advances” referred to in the above article…& that`s BEFORE the proposed ‘electronic signing’.
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N.B. As an addendum to my above comment, I would like to point out that I am on JSA & have no physical or mental disabilities or health issues, & live 15 mins walk from my JCP.
I found this experience to be extremely stressful & long-winded to resolve as it involved several visits to my JCP in late Sept & over 4 1/2 hrs of phonecalls (over 1/2 doz. calls in a 10 day period) – most of said time being spent on hold, so God only knows how a person with physical or mental disabilities would cope in a similar situation.
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reading the stories on here they can’t and can’t et help either, I need help contacting employers by phone as I cant hear they don’t help with that either.
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6000 computers and 4 million unemployed, that is really going to help. You know digital technology can be hacked, how long will it be that someone changes the £71 per week to how much they like? the government is stupid.
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and as well how does the computer know its you, now you can get your friends to sign on for you, while you cheat work, not that I’m saying most people do it but there are some. I thought they were supposed to combat fraud not give the few a helping hand to help themselves to whatever they like.
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Reblogged this on Britain Isn't Eating.
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I work as a welfare advisor and in my experience and the information jsa claimants i deal with daily have told me jcp has not been a help in seeking emloyment for a number of years. The whole ethos of jobcentres has been changed from guidance and help to one of sanctions and harrasment. I believe this is why it was reported that aound june this year 143000 jobseekers became self employed, I also know that people who have worked for a long period of time have not claimed jsa at all due to the reception they received on their first visit to jobcentre plus
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