Disabled workers and retraining.

[dbhost]

For those of you that don't know, my BIL qualifies as disabled due to kidney / pancreas transplant this past year. He is now healthy enough to go back to work, but has been out of the job market so long, that his skills are rusty. So he wants to go take some touch up classes at the local community college.

Financing is the problem... The Comm College Financial Aid department is being FAR less than helpful with any sort of financial aid. Yes he does have a Bachelors Degree in CIS, but like I said, he has been sick, and out of the work force for 3 years. That is a LONG time to go without logging in to a server or a router...

Can anyone here point me in the right direction to get some help with this mess?

We are aware that grants are probably not going to happen at this point, but loans wouldn't be a problem assuming that not all the jobs get shoved to China in the next 2 years...

[cabinetman]

How old is he and is he a veteran?

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[dbhost]

He's 36, and sadly, no, he, like me, received a PMR when he tried to join in his teens. (in his case, it was because of Type 1 diabetes).

[JR]

I don't know of specific programs, but I would suggest looking at the US Department of Labor site as a starting point. Here are a couple of links on point that I found therein:

Financial Aid Advisor (provides a tool to help match the applicant with programs)

Career One Stop (a navigator to aid in finding a broad array of assistance possibilities)

FWIW - It will probably help to call DOL help numbers. I have had the dubious honor of working with federal employees quite a bit over the last couple of years. I have found the people to be friendly and helpful, within their area of responsibility. They may not be versed in the details of programs that are available outside their daily work, but can frequently be counted on to provide a link or suggestion to another program in lieu of actually being able to help you. Patience and persistence are virtues.

JR

[Kristofor]

Is he looking to complete (or say he plans to complete) an actual degree or certificate? If not, obtaining loans may be tough.

If he is at least willing to say he wants to complete a formal program he'll probably need to complete a FAFSA(www.fafsa.ed.gov)

That will help set expectations about what what his expected family contribution would be. If that amount is more than $0, then it also feeds in to whether or not he'd be eligible for any subsidized loans and as the feeder to request non-subsidized federal loans. Once that info is sent to the college(s) he selects they should then tell him what student loan/aid packages may be available for him there.

I didn't finance any my post-bachelors classes so I don't know if there are any twists to the process from what happens for undergrads, or for someone pursuing a second undergrad degree.

[Kristofor]

Oh, one follow-up point, which may or may not be a bit disappointing...

As a hiring manager I cannot see a situation where I would hire a LAN/WAN or server guy who had been out of the industry for 3 years just because he had taken some refresher courses. Unless his skills are on a very obscure platform or were a miraculously close match to a combination of relatively rare skillsets needed the number of more qualified candidates is likely to be high. While as a person I'd like to take the medical reason into account that's a pretty strict no-no.

However, while going to school if he can pick up some part-time or even intern work in his field it would really help bridge that gap and give me confidence that he hadn't gone rusty. We generally only pay our IT interns ~$20/hr. so it's not going to be a very rewarding paycheck, but it could make it much easier to get back to a full-time, full-pay position sooner rather than later.

Kristofor.

[cwsmith]

I can only speak from my own experiences, but generally the "state" is the first place to look. Here in NY, there have been numerous training programs, not only for the disabled, but also for those finding themselves "unemployed" due to technology changes, job export, etc.

Usually the labor dept, through it's local unemployment office is the first place to check. Also, most community colleges have a staff position that advocates and is knowledgeable of any state and/or federal programs that are available.

It sounds like Texas or perhaps just your local college rep is NOT doing thier job. But of course, I can only compare my own state's helpfulness as I started my career back in the 60's only through assistance from state program (NYS Manpower Developement Training Act). I had taken drafting in HS, but couldn't find a job as every place wanted experience... providing my HS training was a joke. The NY MDTA provided six months of intensive training in "tool design", paid me, and then pointed me toward a job. I never did become a tool designer, but did quite well as a technical illustrator. But, the state was the biggest help to get me there.

After my layoff in 2000, they also offered training programs, but at that time I was considered too old (maximum age was 55, IIRC). Still, a number of my co-workers were provided training programs, college tuition assistance, etc.

Sorry that this isn't more difinitive,

CWS

[gtoye]

Texas Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services

If he is in Texas, you should try contacting Texas DARS - http://www.dars.state.tx.us/

They provide assistance with job training and financing for education for people with disabilities.