So far we have looked at knowing your rights, what to do with your money after redundancy and how to deal with the psychological impact. In this next article we will look at retraining and development.

Retraining and Development

If you’ve been made redundant it’s possible to have a knee jerk reaction and either hunt frantically for a similar job or launch immediately into complete retraining. Naturally trying to find another job can only be time well spent, however after being made redundant it’s wise to remain calm and carefully weigh up your options. If you want to improve your skills and possibly improve your chances of finding a new or better job then here are some options to consider.

Volunteering

If you don't get a new job straight away you should make sure that you use your time constructively. It may be worth considering doing some volunteer work while you’re job hunting as there are a number of benefits including:

You can learn new skills in an area which you might have had no previous experience.

It is another piece of work experience to add to your CV and volunteer work is usually highly regarded by potential employers.

It will help you to remain optimistic and motivated while you look for another job – redundancy can be a knock to your confidence and volunteering could give you a sense of self worth.

For volunteering jobs look in our Public Sector & Not for Profit sector, perhaps also in your local paper or on charity websites.

Courses

Should you have time on your hands it would be worth considering doing a course to learn new skills or enhance those you already have. There are a number of advantages to this including:

• It adds ‘another string to your bow’. The more skills you possess the greater your value to potential employers.
• It enhances your CV. Qualifications always look good on a CV so if you can turn a skill you already possess into a quantified qualification then you will increase the impressiveness of your CV.
• Independent learning demonstrates to an employer that you are committed to your own development and are prepared to do this in your own time.
• It also proves that you are a motivated and positive individual.

Where Can You Train?

There are a number of places that can offer you training including:

• Colleges
• Universities
• Private course providers
• Adult Education Centres
• Advice Centres

It is worth sending some time considering which course would best suit you. Do you want to enhance the skills you already have or do you want to learn some completely new skills? Ensure you fully understand what the course will involve and what you will achieve from it.

It is important to note that if you are not working you might get help with your fees. Consult your local educational establishments’ websites or ask at the nearest Job Centre.

Long Distance Learning

If you cannot commit to a regular timetable or cannot easily access an educational establishment you could consider one of the many long distance learning courses available. You will need a computer and internet access to complete the course but it can largely be done at a distance and in your own time.

You may wish to consult the Open University website for more information on long distance learning.

If you require more information the following organisations may prove helpful: