Evidence is emerging that community members are increasingly considering career changes to take advantage of opportunities in sectors facing severe workforce shortages as a result of Brexit and the pandemic.
Employment charity Work Avenue is supporting those looking to retrain for jobs in areas such as hospitality and delivery.
One client in the north of England, Josh, is retraining as an HGV driver.
Presently working in IT, Josh (not his real name), who is in his 30s, feels that attitudes among Jews towards certain professions are altering.
“Our community has always survived by adapting to the world around it,” he told the JC. “In my opinion, the ‘traditional Jewish job’ which our parents push on us is no longer necessarily the making of a safe, stable career.
“Although I’m happy in my current IT role, I’m also very aware that even what I’m doing may one day become redundant and so I’ve decided to train in something which I believe will only increase in demand.
“A mixture of Brexit, the pandemic and driver retirement have all contributed to this chronic shortage of drivers — not just in the UK but Europe as well. This has resulted in an increase in pay and opportunities as companies fight over a finite supply of drivers.”
Having struggled with dyslexia at school, Josh says he grew up secretly feeling he had let his parents down, his feelings exacerbated by seeing so many success stories in the Jewish community.
However, by dint of hard work, he graduated university and has successfully held down roles in a number of industries including property, logistics and now IT. Should it come to it, he is ready for his next challenge and he says his family have been supportive.
“If I were to become a full-time driver, I would seek to gain as much experience as I could on a variety of different vehicles and jobs so that I could be best placed to advance.
“There are also opportunities to grow your own business, partnering with Amazon to provide HGV services to them — or transport manager roles for people who enjoy being organised.
“Once I had experience, I would want to start my own HGV driving school. I love the thought of helping people like me reach their full potential in a non-traditional career.”
Helping people find jobs, build small businesses and change careers, Work Avenue is primed to support others taking a less Jewishly traditional work path in response to a changing employment market.
Its new CEO, David Arden, said: “It’s no surprise that, with the current demand, members of the Jewish community are now looking at opportunities in the hospitality and logistics sectors. And we are here for them when they do.”
Its services include free one-to-one guidance from a specialist counsellor, help in finding appropriate training and assistance with the job-hunting process — for example, building a CV, mock interviews and assisting with skills such as networking.
For those contemplating a significant career change, the adviser is particularly important as they can support the client both practically and emotionally throughout the proess.
“Each client presents with their own personal experiences, needs and strengths and we will look to tailor a pathway that is right for them and reflects the needs of the employment landscape at the time,” Mr Arden explained.
