Taking advantage of a layoff

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While getting laid off can be devastating financially, traumatic psychologically and embarrassing socially, it can also present life enhancing opportunity. The following individuals felt the pain of job loss and then chose to move forward for the better:

After a few weeks "of moping around, wondering how they could do it to me, I decided this wasn't getting me anywhere," Porterfield says. "My husband suggested I do something in the medical field."

She took Joe's advice, and graduates from Rasmussen College in January with an associate of science degree in medical assistance. "I've learned so much; I can walk into a medical office and do just about anything, from filing insurance claims to drawing blood.

"I'm hoping to get right out into the workforce as soon as I graduate," Porterfield adds. "I am proof that you can overcome the hurdles that are tossed at you throughout life and make a comeback. I am excited about my future!"………

"Sometimes the stars align and you have to make that leap, even if you're not ready," says Dr. Steven Yucht, chief of staff at Shands AGH.

He was already in his dream job when the announcement was made Alachua General would be closing Nov. 1. "I was kind of crushed when it was announced," he says. "I'd been here 11 years and planned to retire from here."……..

So, he decided to open his own urgent-care practice, the Emergency Physicians Medical Center at Tower 24 in southwest Gainesville……….

At 50, he was let go almost a year ago as a supervisor with an international corporation. But after some anxious hours, lots of prayer and some good, old-fashioned gumption, he's now working for himself, putting decades of experience in repairing and diagnosing car problems to work.

He's the Car Whisperer; OK, that's the name of his business. And as such, he teaches mechanics from one-man garages to supervisors of large fleets how to use today's high-falutin' diagnostic tools and technology.

Finding your dream: some people are turning layoffs into positives

Those stories illustrate that there can be hope after a layoff. Sure, two of the three were highly trained professionals with what seems to be well stock bank accounts, but they took advantage of a difficult time and started anew. While many of us may not have the financial wherewithal to start a new business, there are many resources available for those who have been laid off.

Some states allow you to seek self-employment while still collecting unemployment benefits:

This is a voluntary program for States and, to date, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Pennsylvania have Self-Employment Assistance programs. The State Workforce Agency web sites for these states can be accessed at:

Self-Employment Assistance programs

Training is also available to those who may have lost their job because of foreign imports:

The Federal Trade Act provides special benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program to those who were laid off or had hours reduced because their employer was adversely affected by increased imports from other countries. These benefits include paid training for a new job, financial help in making a job search in other areas, or relocation to an area where jobs are more plentiful. Those who qualify may be entitled to weekly TRA after their unemployment compensation is exhausted.

Trade Adjustment Assistance

And don’t forget the training funds made available through the stimulus package:

Linda Quick, director of the South Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association, noted, for example, that grants up to $6,000 are available for those who wish to pursue careers in physical therapy. Additionally, free specialty training is available for nurses through a program with Workforce One, an employment agency. Free job training is also available for entry-level positions such as mental health technicians, phlebotomists, EKG technicians and pharmacy technicians.

"We're not so much using the [stimulus] money to employ more people but to train people for employment that already exists," explained Quick. Joyita Garg, who is helping her coordinate stimulus funding for healthcare training, explained that this strategy eventually creates new jobs because training people for existing positions ultimately frees up space for new employees.

Stimulus Money Funding Healthcare Training

Although it make take some time to contact the various agencies to see what you may be entitled to, it could well be worth the time and energy. Start with your local job bank and work your way to the state unemployment department.

To help with your search, take advantage of the Unemployment Resources section of Allpinkslips. Good luck!