I attended my 1.00pm appointment today at Working Links in Cardiff expecting to do jobsearch but was told alongside seven others that I had to do a session on spec letters. It appears that even the ones assessed as jobready and in the hub are now going to have to complete these tasks. Anyone who has been on the new deal of the past has had to do similar tasks but the difference between being in the academy and the hub are now negligible. It appears that the academy is more based on helping people with their CV's. The guy who took us for this course today was very polite but during the discussion he mentioned that Working Links only receive a fee when we start and nothing until we obtain employment. I pushed him on this point as I am sure that they receive a reduced fee for the second and third year if we are still unemployed and then nothing until we find employment. He then said that phrase "as far as I know we only receive the one fee" so basically he didn't know the facts and I'm sure he is wrong. We then went into a room and typed up a spec letter. This spec letter task ended after two hours and we all left around 3.00pm. I now have my next appointment at 10.00am on wednesday to do some jobsearch. It is getting quite busy in the Working Links offices and not a sign of any trouble. If I witness any wrongdoing I will mention it on here. I did hear that they are having some employers come along and speak to the unemployed, British Gas were mentioned along with a few others.