If you just became unemployed, you are probably dealing with a lot of different feelings right now, one of them being fear. Unemployment makes you wonder how you are going to make ends meet, what you will do if you become ill and what you are going to do next. Find out how to answer all these questions and perhaps ease your fear.
Here's how to cope up:
1. Find out if you are eligible for government unemployment benefits. If you are, submit your claim as soon as possible to an HRDSC office near you.
2. Visit an employment center near you and inquire for your options. A lot of people do not know that as an unemployed, there are a lot of programs that the government has created to deal with specific needs of the working force.
3. Review what skills and knowledge you have aquired. Most immigrants carry with them skills and work experiences but are not able to practice what they have because employers does not trust them that they are competent enough. Determine if a formal training would give you the advantage that you would not have even if you already have the skills. Employers are always skeptical of what you say you have if you do not have a proof (i.,e. a certificate). A Case Manager
from the employment center can help you.
4. Self employment is one option that you may want to consider. Ask your Case Manager about government programs that deal in this area
I work at www.L2accent.com where we provide skills training to many immigrants who are already working. However, for those who are not, www.arrivebc.com helps to pay for skills training and also www.douglascollege.ca/workingsolutions
ReplyDeleteAnother resource to look into if you are thinking to be self-employed and are currently on EI is beyourownboss.org
Unfortunately, these programs do not make themselves readily known, but there are a lot of them out there.