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Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008

Unemployed? Here's how to get the training you need

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You don't have to become a nurse, accountant, teacher, engineer or some other in-demand professional to survive in today's harsh job market.

Construction workers, finance officers, real estate agents and others seeking new careers often can get the training they need in less than a year.

That's important because Stanislaus County's unemployment rate reached its highest point this decade in October, according to the most recent Employment Development Department data. Manufacturing saw 3,900 job losses. The construction sector, which has been hemorrhaging jobs for more than a year, lost 200 more in October.

While unemployment is spiking, so is attendance in technical classes at Modesto Junior College and trade schools valleywide, according to education and training officials.

"They're saying, 'If this happens again, I want to be competitive,' " said Leticia Cavazos, an MJC career and transfer counselor.

A certificate in welding or mechanics can give job seekers the boost they're looking for.

Here are just a few of the training programs that can help the jobless move into more secure fields:

Trucking

"There's always demand for truck driving," said Mark Terry, a Modesto branch manager for Labor Ready.

In this market, employers are showing preference to those with experience, but there is still room for new drivers, and the need will grow as the economy rebounds.

Western Truck School of Turlock, 667-4103, has a six-week night course starting Dec. 15. Day classes are a faster way to a certificate. The school has a four-week course starting Dec. 22.

Cost ranges from $3,000 to $6,000.

Welding

While local demand for welders has lightened up, Terry still receives calls for them. Welders start at $14 to $18 an hour, said Robert Erwin, who runs Cal-Trade Welding School of Modesto.

"We're in a nationwide shortage of welders," he said.

Cal-Trade Welding School offers different certifications. Stick welding and wire-feed welding certificates are enough to do most jobs and enter a union, which means higher pay. Students can earn those certificates in 300 hours, or about three months. More specialized welding takes longer.

Cal-Trade, 523-0753, offers lifelong job placement assistance, Erwin said.

"I had a guy come back from Florida after 10 years and say 'Remember me?' As a matter of fact, I did," he said.

Cost ranges from $4,500 to $7,950, depending on how many certifications a student wishes to achieve.

Medical

High confidence in the medical field is being met with increased interest in nursing and other high-profile fields. But there is still demand for other less competitive jobs -- medical and dental assistants, lab and dialysis technicians, and emergency medical technicians -- that are in demand.

Modesto Junior College has several programs that vary in cost and duration depending on specialty. A medical assistant's certificate requires 35½ units, which can take more than a year. Emergency medical technicians, however, need just nine units.

Registration for spring semester has begun.

Dental

Modesto Junior College's dental assisting certificate takes about two semesters to earn. Once they have the certificate, students can return and continue where they left off to move up in the profession, said Bronda Nidey, the program's director. Wages start at $10 to $12 an hour.

Though demand for dental assistants in Modesto has slowed because of the economy, "all of our students had jobs right away last year," Nidey said.