Opportunities Out There For Displaced Workers BURLINGTON, IA (wium) - Ted Biggart never thought he would be talking about Monday quizzes at age 53, but that has become his reality. He is a first-year welding student at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington.

Biggart lost his job at CECO Building Systems in Mount Pleasant last year. He decided to go back to school and earn his welding certification, instead of sitting around all winter.

Biggert says this was the right move for him because without that certification, his chances of landing a quality welding job would be slim. Deciding to go back to school can be difficult for someone in Biggert's position, given the fact that a displaced worker could be twice as old as their future classmates.

Kari Bevans is enrollment coordinator for Southeastern Community College. She says most displaced workers that she works with are scared, confused, and worried about their future.

Bevans says the first thing she tries to do is get the displaced worker to relax and make them comfortable with their decision to go back to school. She says enrollment is relatively short as potential students must fill out financial aid forms, look at available classes, and take a placement exam focusing on math and reading.

Bevans says past performances of a displaced worker in high school or college do not really factor in admission into the school. She says most displaced workers are able to take a full load of classes because of unemployment benefits, grant money, and funds from their previous employer, the state, or the federal government.

That is how Anne Wright has been able to further her education.

Wright says she had a good job at a grocery store warehouse until September of 2007. That's when she found out that the facility in West Burlington would be closed.

Wright says she had little time to worry about her future before a rapid response team from the local Workforce Investment Act office showed up. She says they discussed options such as unemployment insurance, financial aid for school, and other services.

Diane Poisel coordinates WIA's rapid response program. In fact, she has worked directly with Wright to help her join Southeastern Community College's nursing program.

Poisel says WIA is a workforce training program that provides many services to displaced workers. She says her organization can provide help with job searches, money for daycare, transportation reimbursements, money for college tuition and books, computer training, and job shadowing opportunities.

Poisel says the challenge, though, is getting people in the door.

Southeast Iowa's Workforce Investment Act office received an additional $350,000 this year, specifically for displaced worker services, so money is available. But there are only a few dozen displaced workers taking advantage of what is essentially free money and assistance.

Poisel says outreach programs are being developed to try to stop WIA's stigma as being a well kept secret.

Wright has finished her LPN training and will seek her RN certification. Biggert has one more semester to go before he is a certified welder, though he could still pursue an advanced welding degree through SCC.

There are other options available for displaced workers in Southeast Iowa. Some will get hired on quickly by a similar business or industries while others will work multiple jobs to make ends meet. And others will rely on unemployment until they find something better.

While the numbers seem to be getting better at the national level, unemployment remains high in Southeast Iowa, with Lee, Des Moines, Henry, and Louisa Counties carrying rates of 7% or higher. That means workers will continue to be eligible for employment services, if they are willing to work for them. © Copyright 2009, wium