Baptisim in fire
Posted 01-15-2008 at 12:21 PM by FR33_MASON
It is funny how life will go against even the most well thought out plans one has.
I learned that lesson a long time ago and as such I made that rule work for me instead of against. I was planning for the first time to take the slower, more thought out road when I decided a month ago to become a chef. I work in the oil and gas industry in Alberta, Canada and more specifically, manufacturing. Since the dollar’s rise here in Canada, the manufacturing sector has taken a huge hit and I knew it was only a matter of time when my job would be at risk. I was right and today I received my lay-off notice for the end of January. Just what I wanted!!
Now before you think that I have lost it for being excited about being laid-off, I will clarify.
In Alberta the government is many things, some bad and some good and it is the some good that is now my ticket to becoming a journeyman chef. While the government keeps social programs to a minimum, the same government has huge programs for re-training people for better jobs. Being laid-off is pretty well the only way to take advantage of these programs and funding.
That is right, I will now get to become a chef and the government will put up the tab until I become a journeyman chef, or baker, or barber, etc. That includes the cost of living.
I truly was expecting to enter any culinary program around fall of 2009 so this is truly a baptism in fire for me.
I already have a job lined up as a line cook at a local steak house for next month. The program to become a chef is at the college right in the city I live in. I only go to class for one day per week for 40 weeks, the rest of my time will be working in the kitchen.
This morning when I woke up, the first breath of air was one of the sweetest I have had in a long time I type this as I am looking around at the four cinderblock walls that I call my office.
I am going to keep a fairly detailed blog once I have started my courses. Until then I will at least blog weekly.
I learned that lesson a long time ago and as such I made that rule work for me instead of against. I was planning for the first time to take the slower, more thought out road when I decided a month ago to become a chef. I work in the oil and gas industry in Alberta, Canada and more specifically, manufacturing. Since the dollar’s rise here in Canada, the manufacturing sector has taken a huge hit and I knew it was only a matter of time when my job would be at risk. I was right and today I received my lay-off notice for the end of January. Just what I wanted!!
Now before you think that I have lost it for being excited about being laid-off, I will clarify.
In Alberta the government is many things, some bad and some good and it is the some good that is now my ticket to becoming a journeyman chef. While the government keeps social programs to a minimum, the same government has huge programs for re-training people for better jobs. Being laid-off is pretty well the only way to take advantage of these programs and funding.
That is right, I will now get to become a chef and the government will put up the tab until I become a journeyman chef, or baker, or barber, etc. That includes the cost of living.
I truly was expecting to enter any culinary program around fall of 2009 so this is truly a baptism in fire for me.
I already have a job lined up as a line cook at a local steak house for next month. The program to become a chef is at the college right in the city I live in. I only go to class for one day per week for 40 weeks, the rest of my time will be working in the kitchen.
This morning when I woke up, the first breath of air was one of the sweetest I have had in a long time I type this as I am looking around at the four cinderblock walls that I call my office.
I am going to keep a fairly detailed blog once I have started my courses. Until then I will at least blog weekly.
Total Comments 1
Comments
 |  It's interesting to read about the structure of job training in Canada. And very cool that things can work out that way. I'd be interesting in hearing more about how this works as you progress. |
  |
Recent Blog Entries by FR33_MASON
- Circus circus (03-19-2008)
- Beaurocracy....What would life be with out it? (01-21-2008)
- Baptisim in fire (01-15-2008)
