Yesterday I went to get my qualifications of some 30 years looked at by Skilling Solutions staff, to assess for ‘Recognized Prior Learning’ or more commonly called – RPL.
I am unemployed and have had long bouts of no work followed by short periods of mundane casual jobs – book binding, stacking shelves at the supermarkets, furniture moving; etc.
I also have a lengthy trade background in Electronics – covering everything from Radio Communications to Scientific apparatus. This experience also includes refrigeration, and some electrical work ( very different to Electronics ). I gained my apprenticeship trade qualifications in the 1970’s with further certificates added over the years.
Now as of yesterday ( 23rd August 2011 ) – I was informed by a state Government Employee ( Queensland, Australia ) from the Education Sector – that any experience and qualifications over 5 years old are no longer recognized – and to a potential Employer they want to see what qualifications you have that are CURRENT ( less that 5 years old ) and what experience you can practically demonstrate in a test.
Now for me at 52 and so close the end of my working years, I am unable to retire early (under 55 ), nor can I access my small amount of superannuation ( which is wasting away on the world stock market crash ), nor even at present can I find any alternate work – as I’m too old or have no experience.
To add insult to injury – I am now told by Skilling Solutions Staff, that I am effectively “uneducated” and have no recognizable historical work experience – that my qualifications in Electronics are in reality obsolete ( even though the laws of physics a have not changed in the last 30 years and electron still works the same way now as it did in 1975 ). All my prior courses and school education are now out the window in one stroke of the pen ! – I have to effectively start all over again.
For me to go back to school and get re-educated in the same level of skill, as one might say – will take years of my time and thousands of dollars I can’t afford. Meanwhile I have to live and pay bills other wise I’m on the street and homeless as well as so ill with the situation I will fall into depression and maybe even become suicidal as a result. It’s happened before. I can’t get a Centerlink payment of any form as my partner earns too much – but insufficient to stay afloat – we are under employed – which is far worse that unemployed, because you don’t qualify for any assistance and support. Too beat – the cost of rents and living are skyrocketing, making the quality of life most miserable.
It is no wonder – Australian people are being screwed by the Governments and Education system, but most can’t see it. We are being dumbed down so many are effectively unable to work without a licence and appropriate qualifications and we now have to import migrants into the country because of the lack of skilled workers in our own.
The country is now totally raped and effectively being watered down to a third world country. Queensland is now talking about importing pineapples, whilst accountants as of the next few years will need a degree to fill out a Tax BAS Statement for the public – effectively making the current accountants unemployable.
Much of the younger generation cannot see this ( because of lack of their own life experience ) and many are struggling to get educated with very great difficulty; due to these secret laws coming into effect.
I might add here – Once educated with a qualification, it does not give you a job and every man and his dog will have a degree in time – most already have and are complaining they can’t find work.
For many trades such as mine ( electronics ), you can’t work in it now without electrical licencing and to get that may mean you have to restart as a mature age apprentice on a pittance in order to requalify.
Employers complain they can’t find skilled workers, and Centrelink says we have a glut of unemployed who need to work, while the Government has to import migrants to take our jobs. This whole system in this country and possibly many others as well, is designed to make you fail and set you up as a redundant outcaste when it finishes with you. It’s agenda is corrupt to the core.
It’s no wonder I am depressed, seeing no light at the end of the tunnel and wanting to do something drastic within society. I’ve been trying for months to find work, only to get knock back, after knock back, after knock back often with no explanation even when asked for. It’s no wonder employers and their employment agencies don’t respond back to you and tell you this information, as it’s not generally known – but it does explain what is going on in our society. Welcome to the New World Order !