A Chance to Advance Your Skills

April 8, 2009 | Category: Career

three people writing

Don’t be idle! If you are currently unemployed, this might be a GREAT time to enhance your skills, or even train for a new career. There are several high-growth, in-demand jobs you may want to look into. High growth jobs are in sectors that include:

Alternative Energy and Energy Efficiency
Health Care
Water and Sewer Treatment
Transportation
Broadband

You may also consider looking at a trade/career/technical school or community college to find programs that are of interest to you, and to find out about short-term training and certificate programs.

Training and Education
Of course, if you aren’t working, you may be wondering how you will pay for your education and training. Pell Grants and other sources of student aid may be an option.

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are usually awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree.

For the 2008-09 award year (July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009), the maximum Pell Grant award is $4,731.
For the 2009-10 award year (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010), the maximum Pell Grant award is $5,350.

The amount you would receive depends not only on your financial circumstances, but also on tuition costs, your status as a full- or part-time student, and length of time you plan to attend school.

To start the Pell Grant process, you will need to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form.

Volunteering to Build Skills
Another great way to enhance your skills is to volunteer. Volunteer Match is one means to locate an organization that matches your passion and interests. If you already know of an organization or job that would provide you the opportunity to gain experience and develop new skills, find out about exploring their volunteer opportunities as well. Be sure to tell them not only what you hope to learn, but how you will be of value to THEM.

Tags: Tips and Advice

4 comments
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Neyda Gonzalez November 18, 2009 6:59 pm
Hello, my name is Neyda Gonzalez , I currently work for L.A.County Public Library.
Recently due to budget cuts the county cut my hours from 32 hours to 20
hours. My question is: if there are any services or programs that I would qualify for to help
pay for some type of training so that I could get a better job? Or any other types of programs
that will be able to help me?

[Reply]
Martha Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:00 pm
If you liked your job at the library & do not yet have a Library Science degree, look into a community or state college. There’s even online degrees for Library Science! Just fill out the Free financial gov’t aid form online & then apply to the college of your choice. Library Science jobs pay very well if you have a degree, usually, & if not dependent of state funding.

[Reply]
site_admin December 8, 2009 6:34 pm
Goodwill Industries has job training and placement programs across the country. To find the Goodwill nearest you, visit http://locator.goodwill.org.

To find jobs at Goodwill, visit our Find a Job page. To find Goodwill career resources in your state, visit our Job Resources page.

We know it’s a rough time and here to try to provide you with as many resources as possible.

We wish you the best.

- Goodwill Industries International, Inc.

[Reply]
Job Skills/Training | 7Wins.eu August 7, 2010 11:35 am
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Instead, please visit our Career Resources to learn more about our job placement services or our Find a Job page to find openings within the Goodwill network.