by Elizabete Silveira

With our economy experiencing significant fundamental changes, many workers in our local workforce are finding that they are out of work and their skills are no longer in demand.

Increasingly, people are considering a career change to secure employment in an area of higher demand. While not usually a first choice, retraining is emerging as a great option to gain new skills and government grants may even help fund the retraining.

The first step in changing careers is to understand what you want and what you can do. Take an inventory of the skills you have and think about your past work experiences. What did you like about each job? What did you not like? What are you willing to do (commute, shift work, part-time)? What changes are you looking for (cannot lift heavy loads or work nights anymore)? What minimum salary do you need and do you have the support at home to pursue a different career?

Next, consider what career paths might be a good fit for your skills and work experience. Try to consider other professions that use similar skill sets but are in sectors that are growing. Once you have a few careers that interest you, narrow the list by answering these questions:

1. Are there good prospects? What are the job prospects for the next 5-10 years and what trends might impact those prospects (such as technology, demographics, environment and global market changes).
2. Is this career a good fit? Does it offer a work schedule, physical regime or any other aspect that might impact your ability to perform well or your responsibilities at home?
3. What do you need in order to secure employment in this career? Consider the number of years of experience employers are looking for, special licensing or credentials, and the need for current computer or software skills. If you need training, look for schools and programs that offer training to meet employer requirements and look into government grant programs such as Second Career which can provide financial assistance.

Answering these questions is not easy, but local employment agencies can offer you free guidance.

While changing careers may have been the last thing you wanted at this stage in your life, the outcome could be very rewarding. I have worked with many people who eventually saw their job loss as an opportunity to do something they truly wanted to do. After going through the steps of researching career choices, working through options and completing some retraining, they are now happily settled in the working world again.

Elizabete Silveira, an Employment Advisor at Lutherwood, has more than five years experience providing employment counselling and is offering a free public seminar about career changes in Cambridge and Guelph.