Retail manager pursues a second career in opticianry
Oro-Medonte resident Scott Gilchrist had been working as a retail manager for about 15 years when he was laid off after the company he worked for was sold to a new owner/operator.
While looking for new employment at a local resource centre, Scott heard about the Province of Ontario’s Second Career Strategy, a government initiative to help unemployed and underemployed workers make the transition to new careers in growing areas of the economy.
Scott had a few conditions: the program couldn’t take more than two years to complete, it had to be close to home and had to have a high graduate employment rate.
“I was looking for a program that wouldn’t compromise my family life and wasn’t any longer than two years in length,” says Scott. “I also wanted to use my existing skills in customer service in an area that would allow for upward mobility.”
Georgian College’s two-year Opticianry program met all of his requirements. The program’s fast-track option will see him graduate into the workforce within 20 months. Through two co-operative work placements, Scott will also gain on-the-job experience with local employers. He started the program at the Barrie Campus last January.
“I was a little worried about re-entering the classroom after a 25-year hiatus, but I have a good support system here at the school,” says Scott. “My professors are great and there’s a nice mix of secondary, college and university graduates and other mature students, which makes for a dynamic learning environment.”
When Scott graduates from the Opticianry program next April, he plans to pursue a career in sales or education, or work in a store.
