The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has apologised after a 57-year-old man from Wales was mistakenly placed on a training programme intended for jobseekers aged 16 to 30, and then had the offer withdrawn.
John Colamatheo, from Wrexham, was initially told he would become a Universal Credit Agent working for the DWP. However, after a week, he was informed that he had been incorrectly placed on the programme, and the offer was rescinded.
Claimant's experience and reaction
Colamatheo said he needed the role "not for the money, for my mental health." He explained: "I wanted that camaraderie, that feeling of being in a workplace, around people." He added that he wanted to attend the training looking smart, stating: "I could ill-afford to spend the money but I reckoned I would cover it after I started getting paid."
During the second week of training, he was told "there had been a mistake." According to Colamatheo, he was informed that the job was only open to people aged 30. He told the BBC that there "was nothing on the job advert that indicated it was for people aged 30," and he warned other claimants that the programme is "age restricted."
DWP's response and clarification
The DWP said Colamatheo was "mistakenly placed" into the Movement to Work programme, a national charity that supports 16 to 30-year-olds into employment. After Colamatheo said the error had "destroyed his confidence," the DWP apologised.
A spokesperson said: "We sincerely apologise for this error and are in contact with Mr Colamatheo to discuss other job support available, as we help him to explore further employment opportunities."
Colamatheo questioned the age restriction, saying: "We are not talking about manual labour here where age would be a factor. This is a desk job advising people. I can't see how that should be only available to a certain age range."
