The injustice of social employment centres

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I've just moved to Vancouver and need to find a job.
Naturally I looked up a government employment center where I could brush up my resume, etc.
I went in one day and found out their process was filling out a form, after which I could use the
computers to work on my resume for one day then my next day would have to include their
orientation session with a case worker, which I was more then happy to do.

I filled out my registration sheet which asked for my address etc, handed it to the woman behind the desk, and told her I would be in again tomorrow or the next day. She did not give me any specific time that I had to be in.

Today I went in early, 10:15. I spoke to a different woman at the desk and told her I had already registered and didn't get to use the computer to fix my resume and that I would like to and then meet with a case worker. She pointed to a room with a round table with people being 'oriented' to use this center. They came out all in a single-file line being shown the one other room with computers and no doubt the bathroom. The procession reminded me of my first day in primary.

She said I must attend one of these first to be able to use the computer. To which I explained what I was told about being able to use the computers once before a session which I had not yet done. I signed up for the next available session.

I told her I'd like to use the computers today to fix my resume, especially since the orientation required me to bring a copy.
We went back and forth a few times until it seemed to have made light in her head. She went on about copies and printing rules which I didn't need anyway and then told me to use a computer.

Then a paragraph into my resume editing, as if I had not had the first conversation, the woman from the first day came over and told me I could not use the computers today because I had not done orientation yet. I got up from my computer and asked to speak to her manager.

I entered the room, sat down and explained everything from beginning to end.
My being told I could use the computers once before orientation, but now seemingly only on the exact day I fill out the registration sheet....

My not being told a certain time to come in for orientation, that it was a session and not a caseworker that if I missed it would render me unable to use these government paid for resources to help me find a job...

How I was told I could use the computers then midway through approached and said I had to leave and come back another day even though there were ample computers and I was to my knowledge following their rules and then being treated as if I was not.......

I was then told I could go back out to wok on my resume and that I would have to sign up for an orientation session. I once again explained that this had already been done and that I was in this room commenting on the poor treatment and system that was in place.

"We're not moving forward", he said next.
And I explained, no, we are not because I understand I am trying to find a job by using these government paid for resources, and I was following your rules and I was mistreated by your employees and why your system is not effective.

I then asked where I could find resources where I would not be treated in this manner, where the people employed there have the main focus of helping people find work, or use tools to, instead of working in some comfortable rule based system that weeds out people who are fully capable of helping themselves.

The irony is, their jobs are to help people. Not to find ways to push people out who want to find work.
They sit at their desks thinking they're doing such a good job, ( a good job of not doing any work at all, or finding ways out of doing work).

Does anyone else have problems with social injustice in these organizations and what they are supposed to stand for? Do you find you are speaking to them in an alien language when you try to explain to them that they are inefficient, have no humanity, or even an idea what their job is all about.

I am completely unable to tolerate these situations without explosion.

Try your local library, they often have computers there that you can use to work on your resume, and also print off a copy or two. Also, the point of bureaucracy isnt to help you, the point of bureaucracy is to insure their continued survival. If they actually helped people get a job, there would be less unemployed people, then the system would become efficient. More efficient systems require less workers. It is in their best interests to give bad help, lest their usefulness result in them losing their own jobs.

It is funny how red tape is the same all around the world!

I think from your post - I think that is true that that particular agency wouldn't be much help or use to you. I have had similar experiences. Then unfortunately been signed up to that agency and had to complain to social security (aka Centrelink here) to get out of going to that agency.

In contrast when I have gone to an agency and told them of my problem or what I need to do, and they have helped me then they seem to be a good agency, and I have been helped somewhat by their services.

In Australia the government pays the employment agencies money, depending on which category you fit into as a jobseeker. For the mainstream people this means if the agency gets them a job the government pays the agency - so one agency in particular is known for finding people short term, crappy jobs. For "disabled" or other "special" people the government might pay the agency money for every 3 months you stay signed to a particular "program" so this can result in the agency not wanting you to leave to do something that doesn't fit into their "program".

Hope this makes sense, sorry if it all sounds a bit vague.