Spiking Unemployment Got You Down?
I just read the news and saw that the good news is that unemployment rates are at 10%. Of course, this is the official rate. Most experts believe that the real number is closer to twice that when people are counted who have given up their job search or settled for underemployment. It is always tough to change careers in middle age, but it is especially challenging when unemployment is very high.
At our age, we have family responsibilities and bills to pay. Most middle aged people just do not have years to spend in school in order to enter a new job market. Besides, it has been years since most of us took a basic high school math class. It would probably be tough to compete in a college without refreshing our basic skills first.
Fast Track Job Training and Certification
But there is an answer. You can find several jobs that are in demand right now, and that only require vocational certification classes. These jobs can also lead to advancement. Once you have completed the certification and gotten a job, you can find many employers who are willing to pay for further training.I have actually known some people who took this fast track to a career change and ended up better off than they were at their old jobs.
A college degree always gives us more options. But you do not need one for any of the certification programs that I am going to suggest. In fact, you can enter some without even a high school degree.
Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) – You must have heard that their are plenty of jobs in medicine. Well, you do not need a medical degree to enter this growing field. CNA courses last six to twelve weeks. CNAs are front line health care workers, and they are commonly employed in hospitals and home health care. In addition, CNA certificates are a common stepping stone for RNs. A CNA may expect to start in the mid-twenties. If you can use this certificate to move up to a RN degree, you can command twice that, or more.
Bookkeeping – Courses to train bookkeepers in the basic of accounting and popular software can be completed i weeks. I have known people who managed to use this skill to gather clients, in addition to an entry level job, and brought home over $60,000 their first year! Businesses still need bookkeepers, even in tight times, and this skill is in demand.
Truck Drivers – Have you ever heard the call of the open road? You can actually find local and regional routes, in addition to long haul routes. Truck drivers can make a good salary, women are being recruited, and husband and wife teams are becoming more popular. A commercial license can be earned in a few weeks.
Truck driving is not a good choice for everybody, but I have known people who left stifling office jobs for this career. They hit the road, and they never looked back.
Over 50 Career Changes are Not Impossible
I have just given you a few examples in a diverse range of career tracks to consider. With a little research you can find many more. Nobody enjoys losing a job, but it may be time to make that career change you always dreamed about.
Visit us for more ideas for fast job training certifications so you can get back to work.
You may also be interested in online job certification courses so you can learn at your own pace.
It can be expensive to advertise a vacancy, so employers may choose not to do so if they know it can be filled through word of mouth, internal advertising, head-hunting, or by already having people on file.