Try me for free

First, how many people looked at this post just because of the title. I did a post on “GAWorks” on March 30th on Jetcareers and received less than a one hundred views in nine days. I posted “TRY ME FOR FREE” on Jetcareers and in less than 12 hours, I had almost 200 views. The Georgia Department of Labor has very few aviation leads, so the encourage people to market themselves (aviation or other wise). This got peoples attention and if it upsets 100 people, I’m sorry, but it could also make one network connection that knows of a company that is looking for someone and has not advertising it. The title was all about marketing and getting people to look at the post, which it has, hopefully it will get to someone attention that may know of a position available or a company willing to at least see if I fit in their environment.

Now on to “GAWorks”, this is a program created by the Georgia Department of Labor to boost employment in the state after 9/11. I have been on unemployment for the past seven months and knew nothing of the program, until a week ago, when I certified and a note came up to advise people of the program. To be eligible, you must be a Georgia resident, collecting unemployment benefits and “looking for work”. The program allows you to “train” with an employer for up to 24 hours a week for a maximum of six weeks (the rest of the time you are to look for work, why not 40 hours a week training, because then Georgia considers you employed and can not collect benefits). The state also pays you an addition $200 after the first week, then and additional $200 in the fourth and six week to help with expenses, such as child care and transportation cost. You are allowed a maximum of six weeks of training and it can be split between employers or all at one employer, but six weeks is it, there are no extensions. How many times have you taken a job and a week later said “What have I done?” Well with GAWorks, if you find that the position is not for you or the employer decides you are not what they are looking for, then all you have to say is “thanks for giving me the chance to see how your company operates” or they can say “sorry your not working out, but thank for coming in” and no harm, no fowl. As far an employers taking advantage of the system, sure you will have some that will try, but they must sign training agreements with the state and the companies are monitored. If the state sees one that keeps bringing in “trainees” and letting them go at the end of six weeks, just to bring in another, they will quickly drop them from the program. Georgia is not the only state that has this program, the person conducting the orientation said she knew of at least five other states that modeled their own programs after Georgia.

Now for the people saying I’m using their tax dollars. The maximum the state will pay for the six week period is $600, not a penny more. So let’s see, I’ve worked in Georgia since I was 14, I’m now 46, that 32 years of taxes I’ve paid Georgia, which comes down to $0.38 a week refund on the taxes I have paid over the last 30 years, not you.

If you would like more information on GAWorks, please visit the Georgia Department of Labor GAWorks website at http://www.dol.state.ga.us/spotlight/sp_georgia_works.htm.
Again, any Georgia company and any unemployed Georgian collecting unemployment benefits can use this program.

For anyone in the Florida area, they did have a first officer position and several other aviation position listed through the WorknetPinellas site not long ago, but not being a Florida resident I could not apply. I guess since I’m not a Florida resident I should be furious, because I could not apply, I’m not.

Again thanks for everyone input, good or bad.
Scott

:yawn:

I guess I should feel bad for you?

Just read through the post, thanks Mike for seeing my side and your comments.

The State of Georgia does have some stipulation on the program. While I was in orientation on Wednesday, I asked a couple of questions and some of the answers were quite odd. I can get training from any employer, basically in any field. The State pays your unemployment while in “training” and covers the workers’ compensation for the company you are training with, because technically you are not an employee, but in a “training program” for the Department of Labor. I can not actually fly while on this program, work on any scaffolding or probably even climb a ladder; as the person conducting the orientation put it, “your feet have to be on the ground” for the State to cover you. Unfortunately, I think that working on the ramp may be a little more dangerous, than setting inside the plane, but that’s my opinion. Therefore I could do some training in dispatch, working in the FBO or on the ramp (Maybe, I’m not sure, again the State would decide that, I might get hit by a prop or tug). But again, the chance to gain some additional experience in different aviation fields will make me a better pilot and more in touch with theses other departments when working with them later. As for getting out and talking to local aviation places, since I went on unemployment I have sent out resumes and talked directly to over 300 companies with two interviews, so it not that I am not out there. Again thanks for all the response, good or bad, at least you checked it out and maybe something good will come from it.

Scott

You said this...

And then this...

I'm confused

I will never understand why pilots are so opposed to free market competition. I do have to concede that in this case, the "free" market is obviously being distorted by government subsidy. But can you blame someone for taking advantage of an opportunity to improve his situation?

Personally I would not work for free or cheap, but if someone else can, whether it's because they live with Mom and Dad or they are on unemployment, tough toenails for the rest of us. Sure it sucks to be the one being undercut, but if you could you would do the same. It's competition!!! It's freedom!!!!

Guess I'll never get hired at an airline with these radical views on labor.

I am really tired of reading 'hate' posts about someone trying to make a situation work out for themselves. It is not in our right to judge someones decision over a few lines or even pages of text. Either help or dont, this guy is looking for a hand, just as so many of you and myself have done here, so why not just let him try. I think that it is fair to say that everyone here knows that they have to use every possible tool in the box right now to land a good job.

good luck dude.

I see JetCareers as a place to help each other out. I might not have been very active on all the forums, but I sure learn a lot, and get tons of help by just reading. So how about we all quit being haters and help the guy out so he can land a 'real' job?

" I am willing to work the ramp, dispatch, charter operations, sky diving, FBO, pipeline, aerial photo or other positions that are related to an aviation career"
Not limiting himself to flying it seems if it is a serious post.

Just FYI, actually, there is... they talked about it during my initial WIA seminar up at the Simi Valley/Ventura County Career Center. There's a lot of stipulations, but in general the state, using federal funds from what I understood (not that I was paying too close attention as I was there for the WIA) will pay a portion of a salary for a company to hire a 'displaced worker'. There seemed to be a lot of hoops that has to be jumped through - and a lot of oversight.

Anyhoo, back to your regularly scheduled programming....

So you are against interns?

:whatever: I find it interesting that people get all worked up over a program geared to help prospective employees get together with prospective employers. These programs have been around for years.... at least 30 years that I can think of. They don't let employers just drop one employee, and pickup a new one at the end of each cycle.


In 1979 when I got off active duty, I got the same opportunity with a program called CETA through my local unemployment office. They paid the employer for my salary and training expenses, in my case it was the local County Sheriff. That little bit of help turned into a 30 year career in Law Enforcement starting out as a road Deputy and ending a while back with me retiring from a Federal Law Enforcement position.

All of you who are pounding this poor guy, would jump at the same opportunity if this was your best chance to feed your family and were given the same chance.

If I pay for the airplane can I get a job with UAL?

Yes, as long as the plane has 66 seats or less. Any more than that, and you will be picketed.

In principle, no. When companies bring in boatloads of interns in lieu of paid employees, yes.

Damn... I had this beautiful 727-200 all painted up in the 90s UAL livery waiting to put into service.

Be careful with generalizations. There are people in this world who take pride in seeing challenges through and benefiting from the fruits of their own labor, not taking the easy road, despite how accessible that easy road may be.

To the OP: it sounds like you're taking some initiative in trying to make this program work for you, and that's commendable. I don't see how the GAWork$ stipulations could fit in with any flying program, and therefore don't really see this as a threat to my job seeking self. All the same, I still disagree with the program on a fundamental level, and think that allowing an educated person to use it for breaking into an aviation job an abuse of the system.

My .02, and best of luck.

this is out it works, when you are unemployed, in most countries in Europe. When I went back and I couln't get a flying job, I was been able to get money from the govt (like a salary), and to keep a foot in the biz, work part time at some company, like when somebody is sicks or they need more people for a short time....but you never working full time