One of the biggest shocks I had about the job centre is that they are not there to help me get a job.
Since being made redundant I did a Cisco CCNA and a Juniper JNCIA course (both are computer networking). Reasonable qualifications to get an entry level position, or so I thought. Im having real problems getting my first job as I dont have any experience in this field, although I do have 20 years experience as an electronic production technician - so still a technical role.
The jobcentre claimed they could help, they havent. They then referred me to another me to another organisation that claimed to "Have links with companys that can help me get a first position". That hasn't happened either - I just go there once every 2 weeks to tell them what I have been doing for jobsearches.
So when I sign on theres the greeters at the door (First person), then the person that looks a my online jobsearch (second person), then the one that I go to to speak with about any local jobs coming up (third person), then (if its working) the electronic sign on person (fourth person) and now this other place I go to (fifth person).
So my unemployment is creating up to 5 jobs to check, but not really help, in me looking for a job.
And dont get me started on CVs, I have had mine looked at by so many people that all say the last one was OK but can be improved on its beyond funny. That leads to 3 or 4 appointments to have it looked at and worked on by someone else.