Quirky News
Free spray tans for the unemployed
Jobless people in the worst unemployment blackspot in Wales are being offered free spray tans to help boost their confidence.
Under the scheme in Aberdare, Job Centre staff are sending candidates for tans and makeovers at the town's Well-being and Training Academy.
The town suffers from an unemployment rate of 9.6% - but critics have questioned whether a free fake tan is the best way of helping.
Sarah Sweeden, director of the Academy, said they were happy to give the makeover and free spray tans to genuine jobseekers.
She said: "We want to give people that extra confidence - or that Gok Wan makeover - to give people the incentive to find work.
"It will recognise those who are doing their utmost to find unemployment by giving them a beauty treatment."
Job Centre staff will only send candidates for the treatment if they are seen to be serious about finding work. It is not paid for by the Job Centre or council.
The Academy is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company which aims to help people get back to work by improving their fitness, appearance, nutrition and confidence.
But Plaid Cymru councillor Pauline Jarman complained: "I don't know any employer that would be impressed if you turned up tanned.
"They'd be more inclined to be impressed if you had the skills and experience to undertake the job that's been advertised."
what do you think?
SagePhotoWorld
This is psychologically important. People have to feel good about themselves or they won't be able to create a good impression at interview. Psychological health is very under-rated in Britain.
andy may
very amusing tongue-in-cheek comment. be carefull though, some spray tanned long- term unemployed idiots might think you are serious.
Shantelle Collins
Is this an absolute joke... Yes, people have to feel good but is a tan really the way forward! I'm sure group "therapy" and discussions would be more of a booster mentally.... As a partial employer I'd not be impressed with someone turning up orange and having a face like a Saturday night out. Skills are on paper and are shown through the person, how does skin colour affect that..... I do wonder how many more people will become unemployed just to get the free make-over though. Statistics of employment/deployment rate will be interesting to see in a month or so.
Name witheld
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Emma Doolallytap
Golly, I can't afford fake tan or makeover (need both!) and I work full time to remain arguably skint and shattered all the time on no benefits whatsoever. I'm all for anything to help boost self esteem of unemployed people as it is soul destroying not to have work if you want it-but SURELY companies offering some work experience with travel and lunch provided for a week or so with no loss of dole money would have far more benefit?
Diane Rogers
Where I work we do that we have had a few youngsters much better than a fake tan.i have relatives in that area will have to ring them see if they have been
andy may
in a word, PATHETIC.
snape
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wickhampatrick
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Baker101
What is it with people who feel they need a tan to feel confident? It's nothing to do with how dark your skin is. If it's as orange as an Essex girl at sunset you're gonna get more people staring and whispering about how bad you look than if you're whiter than a bedsheet washed with Daz.
stevegs850
why not chuck in a few tattoos and the odd body piercing,never heard anything so ridiculous,there are NO jobs,spend the money setting these kids up in a trade or business venture.
michael crane
Are you having a laugh, What next free holidays to spain to boost their confidence.
Louisa Gieldon
I do not understand the desire to be bright orange. I see so many people who have adopted this ratger alarming colour as their preferred skin tone. Saw a girl the other day who was such a bold colour that i had to supress the giggles as i passed her! it's horrible!
David Cooper
The world or just the UK has gone raving barmy
James Stevenson
There you go then, loonies in charge again
Name witheld
2:21pm on 6/11/2012
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