We'll Hand Over the Profession to Good Hands, or How to Get a New Job After Training

The topic of combating parasitism, which is currently actively discussed in Belarus, has left no one indifferent. Some advocate for the introduction of the strictest penalties for those who are accustomed to being a burden on the state. Others believe that these are anachronistic methods of upbringing, unacceptable in modern society. But while heated debates are underway, those whose lifestyle has caused so much concern are reflecting and taking decisive action, namely, looking for employment options. This is evidenced by the increase in the number of people who have applied to the Department of Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee for assistance in employment and opportunities to acquire a profession. Nina Rusakovich (pictured), head of the career guidance and vocational training department of this department, talks about who comes for work and how to get it.

– Nina Egorovna, for whom is the employment service intended?

– For citizens from the age of 16 up to retirement age, in simpler terms, able-bodied individuals who are unemployed and, consequently, have no earnings. Our function is to assist them in finding employment, including through the organization of training, retraining, and professional development. The main focus is retraining, which is undertaken by more than half of those who apply. As a rule, these are people who have lost their jobs, who have been unemployed for a long time and have lost their qualifications, or who cannot continue to work in their specialty due to health reasons. There are also those who have never had any profession at all. And these are not only young people: some are over 50, but they are acquiring a specialty for the first time in their lives. That is, at one time they finished school and worked as loaders, janitors, where no special skills are required. And now they have come to their senses. There are also those who plan to start their own business with the assistance of the employment service; they are offered training courses on the basics of entrepreneurship.

– What specialties can you offer retraining in? Who is currently in demand in the labor market?

– Training is provided in over 40 professions. These are mainly blue-collar jobs, as over 80% of vacancies are of this type. The most in-demand professions today are in the construction industry and the service sector: electric and gas welders, plumbers, overhead crane, gantry crane, and tower crane operators, painters, plasterers, tile setters, salespersons, cooks, hairdressers, manicurists, and pedicurists. There are in-demand professions, for example, bricklayers, joiners, carpenters. However, unfortunately, for the past three years, we have not been able to form a single group: there are only a few applicants, and a group must have at least 12 people. We also train tram and trolleybus drivers annually.

– Will the unemployed be guaranteed employment after graduation?

– This year, we have sent over 400 people for retraining, with more than half of them having a guarantee of subsequent employment at enterprises in Vitebsk, both private and state-owned. All training initiated by the employment service is funded by the Social Protection Fund. Therefore, an organization that enters into an agreement with us is obliged to provide employment for the person. If the employer refuses to fulfill their obligations, they must reimburse the funds spent on training.

– Are there any obligations for those who acquire a profession?

– Of course. Training is not a cheap pleasure: on average, 700-800 thousand rubles are spent from the budget per person per month (about 5 million for a tram driver). During the training period, a scholarship is paid, albeit a small one (from 1 to 3 basic units), and material assistance may be provided. It is worth noting that this period is counted towards work experience. If a person decides to drop out of classes without valid reasons, they will have to reimburse all expenses. The same applies if they do not get employed by the employer after retraining. However, there are valid reasons for dismissal, such as health reasons or enrollment in permanent employment.

– For those who do not want to be unemployed for a long time and, consequently, without means of subsistence, every day counts. How long does the training take?

– All training plans and terms are developed and approved by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus. Of course, the program is shortened and depends on the specialty. For example, you can become a car mechanic in 5 months. Three professions at once – painter, plasterer, and tile setter – can be obtained in 6 months. I should note that only full-time training is applied.

– What educational institutions are involved in personnel training?

– We select them at the beginning of the year by conducting a tender. Educational institutions submit a list of specialties and information on the cost of training to the Department of Labor, Employment, and Social Protection of the City Executive Committee. Those who provide the most favorable price offers, taking into account the training deadlines, get the right to train and retrain in a particular profession. Currently, we cooperate with 12 colleges, lyceums, universities, and training centers in Vitebsk. There is also an opportunity to be sent to any educational institution in the republic, but for the purpose of saving budget funds, we are looking for local options. After completing retraining, a state-recognized document is issued with the assignment of a qualification in the acquired profession.

– What would you advise those who, for some reason, have found themselves on the street and are afraid of becoming "idlers"?

– Of course, to contact us. Unfortunately, not every unemployed person knows that we offer the opportunity for free training. The employment service does not distinguish the reason why a person lost their job. If they have no income or means of subsistence, they have the right to be registered with the employment center and to qualify for a profession that is in demand in the labor market.

Olga Maslovskaya, "Vitebskiye Vesti"