A Warning About Job Training Programs

    PLANO, TX, August 14, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The most austere job market in more than a quarter-century is greeting Americans as more and more become the latest victims of corporate layoffs and downsizing. Political spin masters may try to sell the public a rosy picture that the economic recovery is underway nationally, but as soon as an individual worker gets handed a pink slip instead of a check, another very personalized recession begins.

What may even deepen the despair of the recently unemployed are the results of a new study conducted for the Labor Department. This study concerns one of the key aspects of the well meaning advice that many of the out of work receive - "get retrained" or "get more training" to acquire an enhanced skill set.

The Labor Department found while tracking the experience of 160,000 laid-off workers in a dozen diverse states between mid-2003 to mid-2005 (which was actually time of economic expansion and opportunities were rife) that those who went through training wound up earning little more than those who did not. These disappointing results held true even three and four years later when movements up a corporate ladder might have been expected. "Over all, it appears possible that ultimate gains from participation are small or nonexistent," the studies grim conclusion states.

To exacerbate the situation, experts such as labor economists and work force development specialists say the frustration that frequently results from a lack of results from job training reflects the dubious quality of many programs. It's a situation that Celeste Hackett, Board Certified Hypnotist and owner of a State Licensed Hypnosis Career School in Texas which offers Hypnosis Certification, has seen and battled against, "It's sad that people in a vulnerable financial situation are being preyed upon by the opportunistic predators in society", she says. "My advice would be to investigate any Career School very carefully, make sure that they are licensed to operate in their state of business. For example, in Texas, where my school Dallas Hypnosis Career Training is located, we are monitored, audited and report directly to the Texas Workforce Commission to ensure we operate our career school with the highest standards and ethics".

One indicator that a job training program may not help a job seeker in acquiring a whole new career, skill set or boost their current income is in its duration. If a "school" or individual "Instructor" offers to certify a potential job seeker in a whole new career or job path in a single weekend or seminar, further investigation is warranted. Once again Celeste Hackett offers advice, Look for a Career School that offers ongoing support after you complete the course, avoid those that are not invested in a specific area. If they just blow into town and are gone by Monday, it's not a good sign. If you have concerns or questions, how do you contact them?" She goes on to add, "Once again, make sure they are licensed in your state. Our School, Dallas Hypnosis Career Training, because of our Texas State License, is required to have policies and procedures in place to address any student questions, problems, grievances and provide ongoing support".

Finding a job in the new economy may mean finding a whole new career path, and a shift in a jobseekers concept of what employment means to them. Traditional industries are being scaled down or are disappearing due to automation. The outsourcing of work overseas and the recession drying up markets and product demand are another problem.

This being said, the new economy's middle class may soon consist of entrepreneurs who refuse to slip down the socio-economic ladder, and they may be doing this by believing in, and investing in, themselves and thus their futures. All of which makes choosing the correct Career School or Training Program even more critical to a jobseekers future success.

The Labor Department study quoted in this article is the IMPAQ International Workforce Investment Act Non-Experimental Net Impact Evaluation FINAL REPORT from December 2008.

Celeste Hackett is a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists, the largest and oldest educational corporation for hypnotists founded in Boston, MA in 1951. Ms. Hackett is board certified by the NGH and is also a Certified Professional Hypnosis Instructor.

For more information on Celeste Hackett, hypnosis or the TWC approved career school, call 972-673-0110 or go to www.familyfirsthypnosis.com or www.dallashypnosiscareertraining.com. Dallas Hypnosis Career Training is a state licensed career School offering top level advanced training and support for new and practicing hypnotists. For more information contact us at 972-673-0110 or email us at [email protected].

# # #