Have you just graduated? Left a job feeling dissatisfied? Decided to take your career in a new direction? A moment of flux like this can feel empowering, overwhelming—or both. But a great place to start is to consider how targeted career development might help you find your next fit.
Is there specific training that would help you get the job you want? Could your resume use an overhaul? Are you feeling confident enough in yourself and your career plans to take the next step and win a potential employer over?
If any of these questions made you hesitate, it may be worthwhile to hit pause and invest in some prep work before you dive full-on into job hunting mode. To level-up your skills, there are valuable local resources you should know about.
WorkReadyNH
This fantastic program is offered through the Community College System of New Hampshire and funded by the NH Job Training Fund. It’s designed to get you ready for work that excites you. “Build skills. Build confidence. Build your career,” is their tagline. And they mean it.
They’ve served over 6,000 members of the NH workforce since 2011. The career development program is tuition-FREE and offered during days or evenings. A diverse range of professionals tap into this resource because the core skills it offers apply to everyone.
- Strengthen your resume & interview skills
- Communicate more effectively
- Learn to prevent and resolve workplace conflicts
- Develop other essential professional skills.
Recently, Fred Krocher of WMUR’s Business segment, interviewed Martha Mott, WorkReadyNH Program Director at River Valley Community College in Claremont, NH. He asked about how the program has been serving community members since the pandemic and the Great Resignation.
Who the Program Benefits
Mott shared that since its inception, the program has served many people at a “crossroads” in their career. Participants may be just starting out, in transition (like teachers or construction workers looking to make a change), or retirees wanting to brush up on their skills.
“We help people to evaluate those skills, their values and what they’re good at and find a career that works for them,” Mott described. In addition, WorkReadyNH, calls on local businesses, like Masiello Employment Services, to assist in getting participants fully ready for their real job search.
“We include mock interviews with local professionals so people can polish their skills,” Mott said. Masiello’s Staffing Managers are proud to play that role on a regular basis for the program. In fact, Senior Staffing Manager, Joelle Phippard, will be participating in the next round on May 23, 2023.
WorkReadyNH classes are offered via Zoom, with new sessions starting nearly every week. Flexible time options make them accessible to those who are fully employed or unemployed.
If this sounds like a program that could be helpful to you as you prepare to find your next career fit, you can find more information here.
Keene Community Education
Keene Community Education is the adult education division of the Keene School District. They offer adult academic, vocational, apprenticeship and trade classes. These include computer classes for those who need to get up-to-date on their technology skills. And they also have a Career Skills course for adults of all ages ready to take things up a notch professionally.
The program’s tagline is: “We are the bridge to your future!” Ready to build a bridge to your next-level career? This is a great place to begin.
Windham Regional Career Center
In nearby Vermont, the Windham Regional Career Center offers programs for both high schoolers and adult learners. One course, in particular, Career Foundations, explores a variety of career and college pathways and the skills necessary to be successful in both. The aim is to help learners set goals, problem-solve, manage time and stress, improve communication skills, take better notes, reduce test anxiety, and plan financially.
Under the Adult Learners tab on their website, individuals can also tap into a range of online courses via Eg2Go. From “Computer Skills for the Workplace” to “Administrative Assistant Fundamentals,” the reasonably priced course offerings help professionals become savvy in new areas of interest.
Greenfield Community College (GCC)
GCC is one of the region’s best-known community colleges, helping to build the workforce and community through degree programs, workshops, events, and programming. While their Career Services department is designed to serve enrolled students, they also make many of their career development resources available to the public, for FREE!
Check out their website for downloads that include checklists for Goal-Setting and Planning, Gaining Marketable Skills, and Networking for Success. You’ll also find guides to help you Draft a Cover Letter, Prepare for an Interview, or Create a LinkedIn Profile. In addition, GCC offers open-enrollment, online programs via Ed2Go to help you build skills that apply to in-demand professions.
Whatever profession you have your sights set on, Masiello’s team of friendly and experienced Staffing Managers are ready to go to bat for you. We have a strong network of local employers looking to hire and we’re posting new job listings every single day.
Get in touch now to find out what job possibilities are out there for you! You might just be surprised by how easy it is to find your next fit with us on your side!
