Reprinted from http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1105670.html

Two years ago, 50-something Loretta Jollymore felt alone and frustrated in her job search.

"I had the same job for 18 years working in the long-term care sector as recreation manager," Ms. Jollymore said in a recent interview.

"I left to help look after my dad when he was ill. When I went to look for employment again three years later, I realized that I now needed a degree to do the job I used to have."

Ms. Jollymore turned to Job Search Services in Dartmouth, one of several federally funded job centres located throughout the province.

She completed the centre’s free 10-week Portfolio Development program.

"I took the time to do the workshops on interview skills, computer skills and personality dimensions to help prepare me," she said.

"When I seriously started looking for a job, I had the confidence to go after jobs I thought I could do. Not being a really young person, I was devastated I couldn’t just walk back into the kind of work I’d done in long-term care. It felt hard because I knew there was a lot of competition out there and a lot of people with degrees and education."

With more than 4,000 jobs lost in Nova Scotia in December and more layoffs being announced weekly, the demand for employment transition assistance is growing. How much help is available can depend on the employer and the resourcefulness of the employee.

Ian Blenkharn, chief executive officer with ACA Co-operative Ltd. in Kentville, had the unpleasant task in January of telling 207 workers at Eastern Protein Foods Ltd. that the plant was closing and their jobs were disappearing.

"I know this is an extremely difficult time for them," he said in an interview, "(but) we are committed to doing what we can do to help our employees."

To that end, the co-op has developed a transition team that is working hand in hand with the provincial Labour and Workforce Development Department, as well as Service Canada. Affected employees are meeting with human resources staff and government workers to be notified of any and all programs that are available through the provincial and federal governments.

"They’ll be brought up to speed on their EI opportunities and they’ll get training and redevelopment programs that are available through those departments. We’ll do our best to help our employees take advantage of what’s available."

Mr. Blenkharn said the company is working as a liaison between the workers who will soon be laid off and other employers in the Valley who have expressed interest in hiring them. It is also co-ordinating meetings and information sessions and passing on phones calls to other employees.

"I’m not aware there is anything else we can do."

It’s not just the big companies that are having to hand out the pink slips.

Stephanie Smith, former owner of Frozen Ocean in downtown Halifax, had to close the door on her five employees. The entrepreneur ran the lifestyle fashion boutique for close to eight years. But business was such that she was forced to close her doors at the end of January.

"I had five great employees I had to lay off and it was emotional and very tough to do," Ms. Smith said. "But two of the employees have already found new jobs and one has gone back to school. I’m planning a new retail venture here in the same space, so it’s not as devastating as it could be. I’m not just closing the doors and walking away."

Ms. Smith said she believes the best way to help laid-off staff is to give good references and keep your ear to the ground for them.

"I have a few other friends who have businesses and if they’re looking for people, I can provide my former staff with really excellent references," said Ms. Smith. "That’s all you can do."

Scott Murphy, area manager for Drake International, an organization that assists companies trying to find talent in the marketplace, said some companies ask for companies like his to come in and do a job search seminar or refer their employees to placement agencies or private sector employment specialists.

When people have been let go or downsized, he said their biggest immediate concern is where to start the job search.

"Most people go to Career Beacon or look in the want ads," he said. "That is a knee-jerk reaction. "

He said there are lots of opportunities for individuals to meet with consultants face to face "and really drill down to what the individual is looking for, what’s their best skill sets and what are they best suited for to take the next step."

Ms. Jollymore said at the beginning of her job search she felt sorry for herself because she didn’t realize how much help was available. After completing her courses with the assessment centre and looking at provincial and federal employment centres, she was impressed by how much free help there really was.

Ms. Jollymore was hired as a lifestyle co-ordinator at Cole Harbour Place shortly after completing the portfolio development program.

Melanie Furlong is a freelance writer living the Halifax.