i've never understood why our society has something against programs like this. Everyone claims that there are tons of people on welfare and unemployment who 'want to work', yet everyone rails against the idea of actually putting people to work, doing something that needs doing.
Sure, it might not be as efficient as hiring a contractor to do it. But we're paying these people to DO NOTHING. Why not pay them to do something? And yes, it might be 'beneath them' to do these tasks, but isn't it better to do something, than to do nothing?
I am not railing against hiring the unemployed to do things that really need to be done. Where I have issues is 'make-work' projects. Things aren't really necessary just to get them more govt benefits and sponsored training. We, the taxpayers, then wind up funding unnecessary projects and the benefits that follow. I would much rather see that money go directly into the post-secondary education up front. The results are the same but are achieved quicker and at less cost.
I also believe that creating full-time employment at a decent wage should be a priority over temporary employment at the expense of the taxpayer.