Retraining Opportunities

Some of the people with whom I work have asked how displaced workers find out about retraining opportunities and funds.

First, I cannot suggest strong enough to visit a local community college of state vocational and career training school/votech. The career counselors are usually more user friendly/have more time to spend and are more accessible. If you don't know what you really want to do, a career counselor can give some assessments which may give you insight into your innate interests, skills and abilities as well as take into consideration your on-the-job experience. After the assessments, jobs may be recommended. Visit http:// online.onetcenter.org (hyperlinked in my blog) and read about those careers.

Once you know where you want to go, make an appointment with the community college/votech Financial Aid Counselor. There should be federal funds available for retraining displaced workers. You want to emphasize you are seeking these funds and/or grants - not loans. My suggestion is to look for money you don't have to repay because student loans may take awhile to repay and you already have been put in a position which is not economically attractive.

Once you know what you want to be and how to access funding, find out how to register and apply for the programs. And...take your school career seriously - this will be your new job and many times, funding is provided on the condition you apply yourself and perform. Remember, the funds are not hand outs - they are a helping hand available to get you back on your feet.

Go luck on your new adventure.

PS- Alternative energy and health professionals are good areas to look into - for training and future work.