An economic downturn can actually mean an upturn for education and training.

Wanda Hayes, a career counsellor at Brisbane’s Career Spa, says training represents a way that you can take control of your career in a time when economic forces are working to reduce choice.

“In uncertain economic times, one of the best ways to ensure your own security is to focus on your employability,’’ Hayes says.

“You can’t control what steps your employer will take to manage their own financial position, but you can take your own steps to ensure that you remain a sought-after employee.

“One of the best ways to do this is to keep your skills and industry knowledge up-to-date, so that you are able to anticipate, as well as meet, future needs.

“So, right now, the smart people are planning to brush up their skills and are doing some research to keep themselves on the cutting edge in their field.

“Then, even if their current employer needs to downsize and isn’t able to keep them on, they will be better placed to find another job quickly.

“For some, this may include gaining some formal qualifications or certifications, particularly in fields where your competition is likely to be better qualified than you are.’’

That desire for fast “work readiness’’ could be why Sarina Russo School’s chief executive Marcel Creed predicts tourism, hospitality, construction and community and health services will be popular training courses this year.

“Demand for training and education is likely to increase in the short term due to a slowing labour market,’’ Creed says.

“Looking further ahead, though, the ageing of Australia’s population suggests that we will see a cyclical rebound in job growth some time in the next five years.

“At that point, Australia will, once again, face a strong need for skilled workers with a quality educational background. So now is a good time to begin the up-skilling process.”

However, Hayes warns job seekers to choose their training carefully.

“People should be cautious, however, about taking on training for its own sake,’’ Hayes says.

“Whatever you learn will be lost very quickly and become outdated almost as quickly, in some cases, if you aren’t able to use it straight away.

“So the best training is that which has some relevance to the job you are doing right now, or to other roles that are likely to continue to be needed by your current employer.

“If you take on training in a completely new area, try to make sure the skills and experience you already have are also valued and useful in that field.’’

Steps to a new career