Skills Boot Camps

Any one been on this so called Skills boot camps? What i've heard about them is that it is a 16 week course with a job interview at the end of it and it''s voluntary ( for now). But looking in to it I find that it offers nothing but mickey mouse 16 week courses. Yet another useless scheme that offers nothing.

About to start a 12 week software development course next month.

It depends on what you do, existing knowledge and the provider really. I don't see anyone who is relatively clueless for example picking up software development in 12 weeks, yet taking a HGV licence course might be more practical. Equally, you could go on a course and it's just bad or the tutors are a waste of space. A few of the providers I looked into had good reviews and some are dogshit. They're funded by the Dept. of Education who have a whistleblower policy, so maybe you can hold them accountable if the training is bad, but I don't know...

It is voluntary, so there's nothing stopping you from leaving or putting in minimal effort and failing if it gets the job centre off your back for a while. There's no work search commitments and you get phone appointments for the duration. You can also ask the job centre to pay for travel or equipment (laptop/webcam etc) if your course is online. (Make sure to mention the guaranteed interview and "extra support" to find work if you ask for anything, also generally better to ask them to pay for stuff at the beginning of the year when they get their new FSF budget).

The good thing about them is you can't be on another provision at the same time, so you can potentially use them to be removed from restart/WHP. I haven't found info on if they can send you back if you don't find a job once the skills bootcamp ends, but I'm assuming you could argue that you're receiving the same support you would be getting from the bootcamp provider. They have the same incentive that they get paid after you find work and earn a certain amount.

Unless you're able to fork up the money yourself, they're probably the best option you have at anything resembling real training/education.

Some initial observations from my bootcamp for anyone who cares.

There's 3 'entry level' certifications that are considered Level 3. I'm old, I think that's A-Level equivalent? They might not get you a job alone without experience, but they would help. It's not basic stuff, there's a lot of material and if you'd want to pass you're going to have to put in a lot of self study.

- We were told 100% attendance is mandatory. You can miss one class if you have an emergency but if you missed two, the management will remove you.
- It's online, having a camera on you all the time is mandatory. They're not pushy about using a mic. One is required for exams.
- There's a mandatory job interview at the end of the course, though I don't see how they'd enforce it or what they'd do if you cut contact. There's no involvement from the DWP. The funding is from the DofE.
- Job centre has left me alone. Quick phone call appointment to ask how it's going and no work search requirements.
- The first technical tutor was kind of meh. He didn't explain things well and skipped over a lot of stuff. We have different tutors for the future that I hope are better. There's plenty of good reading and videos available online though.
- There's the usual job skills classes that are obvious and pointless for anyone who isn't a school leaver that should really be optional.
- There's some small perks like a free office365 sub among other stuff.
- There's some forced group stuff, but you can get away with being quiet. Everyone has been pretty chill so far.
- Classroom learning isn't for me. It's kind of slow-paced and distracting having people talking in your ear when you're trying to focus on tasks. I'm spending a lot of time just browsing on 2nd monitor and it's obvious others are too.

If you can tolerate it, I'd say it's worth doing. Mainly because it's free.

It sounds awful,but good at the same time to have WC off your back

whats the courses? Is there a list somewhere? Do you think I can get a webcam out of them?

oneman wrote:whats the courses? Is there a list somewhere?

There's a list here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-a-skills-bootcamp

I can dm the one I'm doing if you want it.

Do you think I can get a webcam out of them?

I did. They offered a laptop but I said I didnt need it.

oneman wrote:whats the courses? Is there a list somewhere? Do you think I can get a webcam out of them?

A webcam?? Has a WC suggested Only Fans as a potential job opportunity??

Has anyone seen the 'Job Outcomes'/Results from the Skills Boot camps????
As it started around Mar 2022, be nice to see how effective this program is .


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skills-bootcamps-starts-2021-to-2022

There's some data here:
https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/skills-bootcamps-outcomes

I don't have time to go through it.

It's still early, but we were asked to fill out a profile form which is a combined cv/cover letter. It says on the form that they won't send your info to any third party without discussing it with you first. The provider I'm with claim a high success rate finding people employment. Some ppl on the course are already employed and are adding skills. There's around a 60% pass rate for all bootcamp courses.

Thanks #Leaf .


From the link:

'Skills bootcamp outcomes' in England for 2020-21

Number of participants reported 2,800
Number completing bootcamp 2,210
New employment (including full-time, part time, temporary or Apprenticeship) 520
Participant becoming or continuing in self-employment with new opportunities 170
Participant continuing in current employment with new or increased responsibilities 410
Participant gaining new role with
current employer . 100
No change or no outcome information reported
1,600


So please correct me if I am wrong here.

2210 finished

1600 no change (after completing the camp)

. = 610 (aprox 28%)

From 48x Providers..

While you could say, the effect of the Covid situation, are still being processed. Doesn't seem that good. Like to see how much it cost to set up. And how much it costs per person of the x 610 outcomes?

Also I'd like to see the age ranges (unable to see all the site due to device!). All the criteria is over 19x year's,and only in England.

5-700 were already employed so it's a bit higher, no? Is it 1600 from 2800 or 2210?

Not to be a cheerleader for it, there's some things I don't like. Just sharing info.

I'll take it over restart/WHP. I'm learning something useful. If they cut out the job skills nonsense everything would be fine. I can handle being on camera, you get used to it and I think everyone has the same anxiety from it.

Leaf wrote:5-

Not to be a cheerleader for it, there's some that things I don't like. Just sharing info.

I'll take it over restart/WHP. I'm learning something useful. If they cut out the job skills nonsense everything would be fine. I can handle being on camera, you get used to it and I think everyone has the same anxiety from it.

No worries #Leaf. From someone whom has been on plenty 'Cat sat on the mat' courses. Any real world training, would be a step in the right direction.
You mentioned 'I can handle being on camera", you make it sound like some interagation . Is it some 'video conferencing' , as from the link, some course are online while some seems to be in person.

It's over Microsoft Teams.

Can you jump over to the boot camp if your on the restart want to avoid my splastic advisor at the restart dude is getting on my fucking nerves i literally learn nothing from them gang of splastic wetwipes just gang up on me now since that withdrawal forms they literally said no claimant every pulled out before your the first so we will make your life hard now 3 advisors would come up to me at the office when I walk in.

Yes. If you're on a bootcamp they'd have to remove you from restart. You have to apply, be accepted and wait for a course to start though. Some have start dates on their sites or you can just ask them. You need a form of photo ID to register. You can get your work coach to pay for provisional and photos.

Leaf wrote:Yes. If you're on a bootcamp they'd have to remove you from restart. You have to apply, be accepted and wait for a course to start though. Some have start dates on their sites or you can just ask them. You need a form of photo ID to register. You can get your work coach to pay for provisional and photos.

restart and jcp were both trying to get me to sign up for a bootcamp course whilst i was on restart - i was just wanting the exam for azure cloud that i can do in a weekend rather than 16 weeks so i declined.

I've not seen any references to bootcamp closing restart participation?!

You can only be on one of these "provisions" at a time. I had a power tripping work coach pull me into the job centre a couple weeks back because my restart referral was due. When I spoke to him, he realised he couldn't refer me while I was on a bootcamp.

Work coach I spoke to on the phone today agreed with me and turned my restart referral off after I explained I have 6 months of specialised support from the bootcamp provider to find work and attending restart would be pointless. The reality is I'm just waiting to take my final exam and I've already cut all contact with the bootcamp provider. The jobcentre doesn't communicate with them at all and all the coaches I've been passed around to don't have a clue what a bootcamp is.

The 'training' on the bootcamp has been abysmal. 2/16 of us passed the 2nd exam and only because we had previous experience/were studying on our own time. Just another provider doing the minimum they can get away with to get their payments. The classes are monotonous, but you can keep a low profile and do the minimum if you wanted to. I'd only suggest the IT bootcamps as a way out of restart/WHP. You're really better off studying on your own and at your own pace if you want the certs and can afford them.

Leaf wrote:You can only be on one of these "provisions" at a time. I had a power tripping work coach pull me into the job centre a couple weeks back because my restart referral was due. When I spoke to him, he realised he couldn't refer me while I was on a bootcamp.

Work coach I spoke to on the phone today agreed with me and turned my restart referral off after I explained I have 6 months of specialised support from the bootcamp provider to find work and attending restart would be pointless. The reality is I'm just waiting to take my final exam and I've already cut all contact with the bootcamp provider. The jobcentre doesn't communicate with them at all and all the coaches I've been passed around to don't have a clue what a bootcamp is.

The 'training' on the bootcamp has been abysmal. 2/16 of us passed the 2nd exam and only because we had previous experience/were studying on our own time. Just another provider doing the minimum they can get away with to get their payments. The classes are monotonous, but you can keep a low profile and do the minimum if you wanted to. I'd only suggest the IT bootcamps as a way out of restart/WHP. You're really better off studying on your own and at your own pace if you want the certs and can afford them.

Thanks for the update all tick in the box exercise wasting tax payer money roaches never communicate with the provider............. you best delay your restart referral keep on saying to your roach making great progress with boot camp even you finished your programme.