Array of schools offers ways to retool career

CHICAGO -- As broad-based hiring in the United States slowly gains momentum, many out-of-work Americans are finding they need to retool their skills, certifications and degrees.

About 36 percent of people who were re-employed after being laid off in the Great Recession received job retraining or more education, according to a report by the Pew Research Center. And 60 percent of re-employed workers changed their career or field of work.

And those in midcareer have a dizzying array of avenues to training to make the transition, be it computer networking certification, welding skills or a degree in nursing.

With that in mind, let's look at the ways workers can get needed training to retool. These are general descriptions, subject to regional and other variations, experts say. They suggest consulting a career adviser and doing homework to find out which is right for you. For example, the Illinois WorkNet Center, IllinoisWorkNet.com, is a good place to start.

"There's customer choice," said Becky Harmon, assistant deputy director for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Employment and Training. "On some level, the individual is supposed to be able to make the determination on where they would like to go to school. There are things about each (type of) option that may make it better suited for the individual."

Community college

Description: In many regions, these are the primary job-retraining schools, offering everything from associate degrees to skills training and certifications.

Pros: Inexpensive, especially compared with for-profit colleges and traditional universities, and with flexible schedules. Many faculty are adjuncts, meaning they work in the fields they are teaching to keep them up to date. And there's likely to be a community college within reasonable commuting distance.

Cons: Enrollment has exploded in recent years, which may make it difficult to get into classes you want or need. As with any group of schools, some are generally better than others. And depending on the program, training could take longer than, say, career-specific schools.

Programs: Wide-ranging, from basic English and biology to machine training for a specific industry. Community colleges are so integrated into local economic development efforts that they can quickly set up programs to accommodate needs of a local employer. "Community colleges really do keep their ear to the ground with local businesses," said Norma Kent, spokeswoman for the American Association of Community Colleges. "They know what those businesses are looking for."

For-profit colleges/career schools

Description: These schools are private businesses that receive no direct government support. Examples are DeVry University, Strayer University and University of Phoenix.

Pros: Flexible class schedules, online offerings and typically a focus on career skills. That can be important for those who need to work around family obligations and want to re-enter the workforce quickly. "It's good for people who have life things to deal with," said Claude Toland, vice president of student and career services at DeVry University. The school also offers blended learning, which might require attending class one night a week and completing the course online, he said. Some of these schools also offer associate degrees, while a few offer baccalaureate degrees and beyond.

Cons: Generally expensive compared with community and state colleges. Federal loans often are available, and the U.S. recently relaxed rules that threatened to cut off that tuition aid. And the industry has been accused of having high-pressure sales tactics, low graduation rates and poor career placement. However, that can vary by school, and even critics agree that for-profit schools have a role to play in job retraining.

Programs: Each school is likely to offer many programs, including nursing, business administration, graphic design and hospitality management.

Vocational schools

Description: These schools typically offer very specialized training in a single occupation. Some are small, nonprofit community-based organizations. For example, Jane Addams Resource Corp. in Chicago teaches metal fabricating skills, such as welding and computer numerical control machining, said Executive Director Guy Loudon. As with most programs, dislocated workers should do their homework, asking specifics about a program, he said. Questions include: "What certification will I earn?" "What are starting wages in this field?" and "Are there jobs available in this career path?"

Pros: Quick and focused training to get you back into the workforce fast. Some programs might last just 12 weeks, for example.

Cons: Often no general education; just skills for a specific industry, and often, a specific job at that.

Programs: Many are focused on skills needed for factory-type jobs. However, others are devoted to technology training or geared to health care occupations. Rush University Medical Center, for one, has a nursing program.

Volunteer programs

Description: Many do-gooder programs require a service component but might allow you to earn while you learn. Examples include Teach for America, AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps.

Pros: A satisfying feeling that you're helping people, while learning new skills. Some programs help pay for schooling. AmeriCorps, for example, offers money for college or graduate school or to pay back qualified student loans. Teach for America workers get free training and earn a starting teacher's salary in the low-income districts where they teach.

Cons: Service requirements might not fit with personalities, career goals or lifestyles of some.

Programs: Vary depending on organization. The Peace Corps, for example, requires volunteers to work overseas in areas of education, youth and community development, health, agriculture, environment and business, information and communications technology.