Is there really job training available for you?

Unemployment and lay-offs are at an all-time high. To help stimulate the economy jobs are being created to assist veterans, unemployed workers, those in transition, and our youth. The responsibility to train this workforce has been passed to the Regional Workforce Development Boards who in turn have partnerships with community-based agencies, higher educational institutions, and vocational schools to provide job training in perceived occupational skills.

However, if you are one of the many experienced workers with several years of proven work experience, I wonder is there really job training available for you? If you are a high school or college graduate, Is there really job training available for you?  Meaning: your skills, abilities, enjoyments, interests or experience.

The reason for this question is because:

• The job-training programs are already pre-designed
• The number of training programs offered are limited to perceived occupational skills
• Applicants can only choose what job-training programs are available
• The applicant cannot choose what they like to do
• Most of the training offered is for the entry level worker

I also wonder where is the ‘Innovation' in job training because for at least the past fifteen years, computer technologies have altered the way work is performed. Yet traditional approaches to job training have remained the same, leaving employers desperately seeking skilled workers or people who want to work.

While few jobs in the trained discipline are obtained, in many cases for the applicant, there is no job available for training received, only a certificate and another training program.

Richard H, a computer repair specialist went through one such training agency to become a Computer Analyst. He spent over two years in a program, received a CCNA certificate, and even with a college degree, vocational rehabilitation and workforce placement specialists were not able to find or place him in a job.

In today's economy, most large companies are laying-off workers or have a freeze on hiring.  Small businesses drive the economy and due to the large amount of layoffs, many small businesses are emerging.  While some of these small businesses are listed in the occupational skills grouping, many small businesses that hire artists, singers, radio announcers, landscapers, interior decorators, fishing, skiing, computer analysts, computer graphic designers, comedians, card players, wine tasters, game players, writers, readers, house cleaners, home-based internet businesses, etc are not included.  All of which make-up a productive workforce. The difference is many small business people earn income doing what they are good at and enjoy doing.

There is a solution

There is a solution that meets the needs of the changing work-place/force and both the individual and employer.  Gene Hodge, provides job-training programs and workshops that uses an innovative methodology based on what the individual enjoys doing and ‘age-based performance'. 

Unlike employment agencies and workforce organizations, his training focuses on the individual. Gene helps those in transition recognize career opportunities by focusing on your age, experience, skills, abilities, passion, interests, and computer technology; and matches that with the vast number of jobs that have the need for the same skills and abilities.  Employers have gained better workers that enjoy their work because individuals have found not just a job but rather "enjoyable employment."  Gene says, "We all know what we are good at and enjoy doing.  We just do not know what job-title to put on it".

Ways to recognize what you are good at doing and enjoy!

• Listen to what other people tell you, you are good at doing.
• Recognize what you enjoy doing in your current and past jobs
• Recognize what you find yourself doing when you are not working

 Discard ‘ myths' about job seeking

• There is job training available for you
• There is such thing as ‘the employer'
• You have had jobs.
• You should be good at everything

 Tips for finding the right job

• Always describe your job responsibilities for all past jobs
• Write down what you are good at doing from past jobs
• Write down what you are just good at doing and what you enjoy doing
• Only focus on job descriptions that have those words

Eugene Hodge is an independent training consultant that provides solution-based personal development and career transition workshops and seminars. His solutions help:

• Current employees to discover their optimal job resource within their existing employment
• Incoming employees and employers to determine their compatibility for current positions
• Employees exiting current employment for future endeavors

For more information, email him at hodgetrain@aol.com or visit www.hodgepodgetraining.com.