With tourism numbers still lagging and the prospect of returning to former jobs no longer a sure bet, many of the 17,000 people who lost jobs since Sept. 11 are facing the fact they may have to change careers to find a permanent job.
As the number of layoffs creeps toward
20,000, former tourism industry workers
are faced with the daunting possibility
of having to pick a new career
-- and a way to get thereBy Lyn Danninger
ldanninger@starbulletin.comBut the prospect of a job change -- or worse yet, the thought of retraining or further schooling -- can be a daunting prospect.
Offering tools for perseverance is part of the mission of Oahu WorkLinks, a partnership that includes the state, the city and county of Honolulu and community groups Alu Like, and the Honolulu Community Action Program.
Oahu WorkLinks has seven offices where those who have lost jobs can make use of computers, attend workshops and receive counseling.
While losing a long-term job can be traumatic, it can also present new opportunities, said Lorna Lai, center manager at the Dillingham Branch of Oahu WorkLinks.
"Some people come to realize it's a blessing in disguise," Lai said. "You may get to do something you always wanted to do."
Many of those who come into Lai's Dillingham office are initially shell-shocked, she said.
"They come in saying, 'What am I going to do?, I'm running out of money, I need training,'" she said.
Lai said the first step is an orientation program to explain what is available, how to use the system, and if the person needs someone to talk to, an interview with an employment consultant can be arranged.
Once people have an idea of what resources are available and how the center works, they tend to feel better, Lai said.
"A lot of times once people attend the workshops, they gain more confidence," she said.
On Oct. 19, about 50 people attended one of the center's orientation workshops. About 1,000 people have come in to use the Dillingham center's resources during the month, Lai said.
But deciding which field to enter can be a confusing experience.
Lai has some advice for those in doubt.
"People need to be realistic about the training they select," she said. "If you don't know anything about computers, don't expect to be a techie in a short time."
Moreover, many of those who now find themselves recently unemployed may not have the time, the inclination or the financial resources to enroll in advanced degree programs that could take years.
Federal funding for educational programs can also take time to obtain. Moreover, many federal grant programs consider last year's tax return as a basis on whether to award financial assistance. Few of the recently-unemployed would likely qualify for federal assistance, at least initially.
That's where JobLinks, a dislocated worker program, comes in, Lai said.
If a person cannot qualify initially for federal help, JobLinks could pay for things like tuition, or required certification exams, she said.
However, if a particular training program is expensive or a comparable program is offered somewhere else, such as at the state's community colleges, Lai said to be prepared to pay at least part of the tuition cost.
Health care
At the community colleges, a number of certificate programs that can help get a new career started are available to the recently unemployed, said Marilyn Walsh, public information officer for the colleges.Walsh cites some of the colleges' health care education courses, part of the schools' "career ladder" program, as a good example of what can be accomplished a step at a time.
For instance, someone interested in entering the health care field with no medical background could start off working toward a home health aide certificate as a first step and likely obtain a job upon graduation.
The home health aide course can be completed in about six weeks. It is offered at Kapiolani Community College and all neighbor island community college campuses, Walsh said.
The next step would be to obtain a nurse's aide certification. The program, which takes about 18 weeks, qualifies the graduate to work either at the hospital level, in a doctor's office or in a nursing home, she said.
Finally, the colleges' licensed practical nurse program can be completed in a year and could be followed by the two-year registered nurse program offered by the school.
Walsh said it is possible to take all the needed classes part time. Tuition in the community college system runs $43 per credit. For those who are recently unemployed as a result of the terrorist attacks, the University of Hawaii's special 911 tuition waiver will likely be in force by the spring semester, Walsh said.
Wellness
With wellness and day spas becoming popular in recent years, more people are interested in becoming estheticians. The community college system, noting the trend, has added the new course to its cosmetology program, Walsh said. Courses are also offered in the evening for those who work.Some other health and wellness educational options can be viewed as a first step in starting in a new career.
At the Honolulu School of Massage, Director of Education Gayle Volger said while the school encourages students to complete the full one-year program and graduate with an American Massage Therapy Association diploma, there are alternatives for those who may not have the time or resources.
Students need 570 hours of training and education to take the state board exam, she said. Costs depend upon the courses chosen.
All students go through a basic training course and then may elect different courses.
The school is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. to accommodate different work schedules.
Volger said she has noticed enrollment is increasing. Job opportunities are also good.
"There is always room for a good therapist," she said.
The school will also work with students to help obtain tuition assistance, Volger said.
Beauty
At the Hollywood Beauty College, financial aid officer Lisa Ling said a cosmetology certificate course takes just over a year. Although the course costs $9,362, federal financial aid is available, Ling said. The school also participates with Oahu WorkLinks. Shorter courses for those interested in becoming a nail technician run 350 hours and take three months to complete, she said.Classes run six hours a day Tuesday through Saturday.
Other courses in the community college system with good job prospects include the Administration of Justice program. While the full program runs two years and students end up with an associate of science degree, it is a good step toward a job as a police or corrections officer, or a court reporter, Walsh said. Obtaining training as a legal secretary, also available in the community college system, could be a step to eventually becoming a paralegal, she said.
The community colleges are offering several new programs, Walsh said.
Maui Community College offers a certificate program in sustainable technologies. The program takes 120 hours of training and is supported by Maui Electric Co. It looks at energy management and alternate power and prepares students for jobs as energy specialists and work in the energy industry. New biotechnology programs are also being offered, Walsh said.
Mechanics
Finally, there are some job opportunity surprises.Walsh notes that few students have been choosing automotive training in recent years.
"We used to have to turn people away so it's become a concern lately that people are not going into that field," she said. "That could mean a good future opportunity."
The centers offer free job-hunting services. WorkLinks centers
Dillingham Plaza
1505 Dillingham Blvd., Rm 110
843-0733Honolulu Office
830 Punchbowl St., Rm 112
586-8700Kaneohe Office
45-1141 Kamehameha Hwy.
233-3700Wailalua Shopping Center
67-292 Goodale Ave.
637-6508Waianae Community Center
85-670 Farrington Hwy.
696-0010Waipahu Civic Center
94-275 Mokuola St., Rm 300
675-0010Makalapa Comm. Center, Aiea
99-102 Kalaloa St.
488-5630Kapolei Resource Center
601 Kamokila Blvd., Rm 588
692-7630
