Retooling: Equipping You With Tools to Increase Productivity During Covid-19
This guide is designed to help those who are job seekers: the unemployed, underemployed, and/or those desiring to learn employability skills that may lead to a new field of employment. Westchester County has a wealth of resources and this guide will help you better understand what those resources are, and how to take advantage of them. It is important to read the descriptions and website information carefully, as some offerings are free, others charge a fee, and some have recommendations for tuition/fee assistance.
Click here for a guide on how young adults can manage financial losses during this global pandemic.
Questions You Should Ask Yourself:
- What type of work and work setting do I really enjoy?
- What is my passion, and can that be turned into a foundation for employment?
- Am I willing to commit to weeks of training for a new or better paying position?
- Do I want full time or part time employment, and what time of day? What kind of scheduling flexibility might I need, especially if children are not in school full time?
- Am I willing to accept an entry-level position with the intent of working my way up through the ranks?
- Am I willing to go where the job market is hiring?
- Due to COVID19, almost all classes and opportunities for assistance are remote. Do I have a quiet space to work in at home? Do I have the necessary technology?
- Could I use a career coach or mentor?
- Am I feeling emotionally overwhelmed and need to speak with someone?
Resources
Job Training, Certification Programs, Continuing Education Opportunities
- Southern Westchester Boces
- Westchester Boces www.swboces.org offers a vast variety of courses for adults. Once on the website, click on “Our Programs”, then “Adult Education” to access information regarding offerings through the Center for Adult & Community Services.
- Coursera
- Coursera offers a wide variety of courses and degrees from more than 1,800 colleges and universities. You can join for free at www.coursera.org and enjoy a 7-day trial of sampling their offerings. If you have your own personal college or university email address, 3,800 classes are being offered for free, during this pandemic. If you are 60+ years old, there are more than 1,600 free courses.
- Westchester Community College
- Westchester Community College offers a variety of programs and classes designed to improve workplace skills, prepare for workforce re-entry, or encourage lifelong learning. All Fall 2020 classes will be provided via remote options - https://www.sunywcc.edu
Additional Westchester County Colleges
- Berkeley College:
- Monroe College:
- The College of Westchester:
Job Search
- Westchester-Putnam Career Center Network
- The Westchester-Putnam Career Center is dedicated to connecting Westchester and Putnam job-seekers to area businesses who need a skilled workforce - westchesterputnamonestop.com
- Apprenticeship Information
- Source to connect career seekers, employers, and education partners with apprenticeship resources. Learn more about apprenticeships across industries, how to establish a program, and access open apprenticeship jobs - www.apprenticeship.gov
If you have questions about this “Resources for an Employment Reboot” guide or have an interest in an area that’s not addressed, please email:
