ALT-1 Getting Back into the Workforce Training to consider
For some people getting back into the workplace does not require any immediate training. They are graduates in a specific field or have the necessary training for the job for which they are applying. For others, training becomes the stepping-stone onto their career ladder, without it, they feel underpaid, undervalued or have no real job satisfaction.
The first step to training depends upon the career you hope to pursue or in which you want to advance further. There are a number of avenues open, both offline and on the internet, to research training opportunities. You can also find information on where training providers are located from the local job center. If you are unemployed, basic IT or office skills training is provided free while more advanced or professional courses have to be funded by you privately using your own resources.
Some people prefer a more proactive approach to their training, they want to meet other people, share opinions and get the opportunity to network. Others look into distance learning courses due to family commitments. If you are registered with a recruitment agency, you can discuss the options available to you that will be useful in your career. There are a range of courses they offer, some lasting a day and others lasting longer but these have to be usually paid for. Private training companies are another option to consider. These are expensive courses and if you have the financial resources, you have the benefit of choosing your times and days according to what suit you rather than the company. This is not an option easily available with courses offered through the government or through the job centre.
Going back to college is another option that some people choose before they start to earn or while they are earning. The courses might be full time or part time and there is the opportunity to get government assistance in funding some of these professional courses. Again, it is useful to research which courses local colleges and universities are offering. Selecting the course that interests you is the key to pursuing the right profession so take time to check out the times when it will be offered, subjects taught in the course and the final costs you will incur.
With some jobs, pursuing further educational qualifications or training courses come as a package. You have the option to train further in your job and the employer has no hesitation to pay for your learning. After all having well trained and qualified employees are to the benefit and future growth of the company. It is therefore useful for new employees to find out about opportunities and resources available to them to progress and advance in the company where they choose to work.
There are also some companies that offer work based training facilities so that practical and a hand on experience is gained for a career. In the UK, the government offers grants to local businesses to take on apprentices so that while providing skills and training opportunities to individuals, businesses also benefit. The apprentices also receive weekly financial assistance while they train. Another option to train is through work trials, where employers employ unemployed people for up to 30 working days whilst the person continues to receive unemployment benefits. This is to see how they get on in the job before the company decides whether to take them on a permanent basis.
There are many different courses and venues available to get you into the career you want. From showing you how to update and improve your resume and developing interview skills to learning new skills the choice if there for you to make. Whatever you decide to do, at the end of the training you will definitely be better off, you will have learnt a new skill you did not have before
