Job Loss Means Retraining, Job Searches and Deciding where to go from here For Far Too Many People

And in a time of great losses, how do you go about this? If your particular employer is under the gun, it’s probably an industry/trade wide issue. But some people are hiring. And you need a job now… the rent or mortgage is due. The kids are hungry. You and your spouse/partner are feuding at every.little.damn. thing these days. You’re savings is tapped out and you’re borrowing against your RRSPs. One of you parents has to stay home now if you’ve gone to homeschooling.

And with the govt bickering and gossiping about how the other party is effing you over…. doesn’t really look like things’ll change any time soon, does it?

So what is a fast way to review what is available to you? How can you be attractive to a job market that wants young fresh talent? That wants something unique?

Maybe by showing them what years of loyal service look like? Maybe by showing them you can adapt when push comes to shove?

And how is that possible?

Well the govt won’t pay for you to attend, nor can you go to univ for 2-4 yrs to retrain you. So what are your options, really?

Time to think outside the box.

…..

Or you’re an employer. And you really do need staff. But who is able to pay full salaries and benefits for every hand on deck that you need? Did you know there are other options?

How about hiring that guy who worked at the same company for 30 yrs and would have retired from there if the world hadn’t gone bust? Or how about the guy who became ill and finds they can’t do what they did before? They just need someone to take them on and retrain them now that they at least aren’t contagious.

Maybe there is a specific dept that you have to amp up (like IT) with the shift to web-commuting. Someone besides you needs to be sure those ZOOM conferences actually work, right? And your web footprint needs to be amped up for customers to shop or put in request forms and queries online. For them to even know you have that option for them.

Yeah times they are a-changing. And in the end, it may actually be a better thing we are now creating. At least more sustainable.

….apprenticeship –

• The advantages are that you get them younger and can train them as you need them to be. Rather than generic course criteria that may or may not apply to you.
• Also govts often pay you (tax advantages) or the apprentices’ salary (at least part) so it costs you less.
• And they often start at minimum wage.
• The advantage to the student is not needing tuition or having years of debt when they finally finish school.
• And they ‘earn as they learn’. Which opens things up for poorer people.
• It can also be used for people who would find school to be a serious impediment, hurdle. If they have learning delays, or concentration issues. Or are older and just don’t have the memory castles they had when they were 19.
• It can also be used to re-train people who have been injured or find their current job too difficult physically or mentally after an illness. Who can’t afford school. Which also can get financial support from some govts.

….Types of on-the-job training –

• apprentice (full time, paid, longer time) – usually trades
• interns (part time, may/not be paid, less time) – tech industry, service jobs and health care
• practicums, coops – [part time in school, part time on work assignments thru your college. (which opens up clinical and service fields to students) may/not be paid, longer time]

….. resources

UK
Canada
trades – apprentice, journeyman, master
apprentice, intern
practicum, coop