Scheme worker ineligible to work

A TOWNSVILLE businessman is bemused after being offered candidates for an internship only to be told the jobseeker he chose was ineligible.

Shaun Steele, owner of Itara & Jacana Apartments, said he was approached by recruitment company Workways Australia with the offer of interns.

The chosen worker would do 100 hours of unpaid work experience and Mr Steele would later receive a wage subsidy. The internships are part of the Department of Employment’s Prepare- trial- hire ( PaTH) program.

Mr Steele said after he chose an intern he was told she was ineligible for the position.

The internships are available to those the Government considers most in need through eligibility criteria which in this case means they have been unemployed for six months. But the chosen candidate had worked for a short period after being long- term unemployed and was therefore ineligible.

Mr Steele said he was frustrated that, after being approached by Workways, he was unable to hire the staff member of his choosing.

He was told she would be eligible to start after a fiveweek period. Workways also stated if she was to start unpaid work straight away that would make her ineligible for the internship.

Mr Steele had already issued the staff member with uniforms and showed her around the premises when he was told of the issue.

He criticised the bureaucracy which he said denied her the job straight away.

“It’s because she tick a box,” he said.

“I thought we were getting rid of this paperwork.”

Workways Australia chief executive officer Bryan McCormick said the company put forward a number of candidates and the employer selected a candidate.

“When we lodged the paperwork we found out they would not be eligible for a further five weeks,” he said.

“We offered the employer alternative employees and they declined.”

Mr McCormick scheme was a success”.

“We’ve placed over 20 people in Townsville and this is the only time we’ve had a problem.”

A spokesman for the Department of Employment said the Federal Government employment services were available for all job seekers entitled to work in Australia.

“However, the level of services available to job seekers depends on individual circumstances, to ensure that resources are directed to those most in need.

“Department data shows most young job- active participants find work within six months of registering.” doesn’t said the “runaway