The Work Programme has been put in place by the Government to fight poverty but it seems winning the bid to be a Prime contractor could eventually land the workers from these providers en route to the local Jobcentre. With payment schedules set at 6 months post job start the big primes have barged there way to the top and appear to be treating the less financially fortunate charities as Bid candy. Chris Grayling claims this isn't the case. In the words of Alanis Morisette – isn't it Ironic.....

Bidding wars are set to ensure the most successful and established Contractors win....but all they seem to be doing is winning the bid and contacting the same small charities they beat to the post to deliver what they cannot - as specialist.

I say give it to the small guy this isn't chess or checkers but it definitely seems like Monopoly

Much speculation has surrounded this topic - with unemployment on the rise - Employers seem to be using this fantastic opportunity to acquire staff who they don't need to pay (with the premise of offering employment at the end of the road). The benefit to the individual -experience, working interview, reference opportunity or simply to shake the couch potato syndrome.

Fine I say, love it. In fact I've bought into it wholeheartedly. But beware any longer than 2 weeks and i have to question the objective of the employer....ok 3 maybe 4 weeks but with a checkpoint in between that explains why I need to continue working for free because you (the employer) so desperately want to offer me a job but just need to see a bit more from moi....I can live with that. 2 months, 3 months....now I'm uncomfortable with that. I feel the government should issue a clause that ensures any employer as nice as it may seem to offer an employment opportunity (to someone less likely to get a job there) should be limited to a max 3 weeks and I'm being generous here. Lets not forget there looking for a job because they're broke....I don't know am I alone here?

Ever been to The DeVere Hotels; well Blueprint has acquired exclusive information that they are set to fill 10,000 Apprenticeship opportunities for the young people of London over the next three years. They have set days throughout the year where they offer an open day to young individuals to attend and take up an apprenticeship opportunity. They're offering an apprenticeship in Customer Service or as a Chef.

So whether you're a Gordon Ramsay in the making or have the flair of making people smile then this is a fantastic opportunity not to be missed. The screening is based solely around a keen interest in both DeVere and an Apprenticeship.

If I were 16 - 25, I would go for it....i may have blessed with youthful looks but ID is an necessity I'm afraid. Good luck.