A strange phenomenon is taking hold in the Chasidic enclaves of Brooklyn, New York and beyond, namely, a growing disconnect between job seekers and employers. There is no shortage of job candidates ready and willing to get to work. Similarly, there is no shortage of jobs in those communities waiting to be filled. And yet the two don’t seem to be finding one another.
“It’s an interesting phenomenon,” explains Maurice Stein, author of 10 Days to a Career You Love. “On the one side, you have thousands of people looking for work, on the other side you have positions that can’t be filled.”
Stein, whose Parnoosa column in Ami Magazine is a reader favorite, is an internationally-renowned business consultant and success coach with over a decade of experience specializing in the “heimishe market.” He has made a name for himself by connecting frum job seekers and employers, getting hundreds of people hired over the course of his career.
Despite his highly successful track record, “I still have a lot of positions that I can’t fill,” says Stein. “And I think the reason is that the people looking for work are simply unaware of the marketplace, and what kinds of jobs employers are looking to fill. So, they’re not preparing preparing for it with the right knowledge and education.”
While this gap between qualifications and job requirements is not unique to the frum community, it is there that it is especially pronounced. And while the standard of education is very high, as evidenced by the proliferation of elite institutions of Torah learning, a concurrent de-emphasis on secular studies has left many woefully unprepared for gainful employment. More than anything else, it is perhaps the unsavory, anti-Torah aspects of university life that causes large segments of the Orthodox population to balk at the idea of study outside of the protective walls of a yeshiva or kollel.
Responding to the needs of religious Jews who see the value of a practical, career-oriented education but seek to maintain their highly-disciplined, spiritually devout way of life, are organizations like Testing and Training International. Billing itself as a “frum college training program,” TTI has helped thousands of Orthodox Jews from around the world obtain a secular education, all while “steadfastly conforming to the needs and standards of Halacha.” TTI partners with accredited universities and allows students to earn credits through proficiency exams in limudei kodesh (i.e. Jewish religious studies). Through TTI, students can earn a variety of certifications, bachelor’s, or even graduate degrees.
Seeing the inherent value of such a service, Stein has teamed up with TTI for an evening event this Thursday night (Oct. 3), titled “On The Job: Finding your niche in the fast-changing job market”.
The event promises both practical advice to job seekers and networking opportunities over refreshments, and will feature the much sought-after Mr. Stein as its keynote speaker. TTI advisors and alumni will be present to answer questions and share their stories, and a presentation by the institute will give attendees a glimpse into the wide array of educational opportunities that many in the heimishe community might not even know were available to them, without having to compromise—chas v’shalom—on matters of frumkeit.
The “On The Job” Event, the first of its kind in the primarily Chasidishe neighborhood of Boro Park, begins at 7:30 p.m. this Thursday, at Anshei Sefard Hall (4502 14th Ave). In deference to Jewish custom, separate seating for men and women will be provided. Admission is $20 at the door; no RSVP required.
Daniel Perez is a freelance writer and consultant, and a former editor both at the Jewish Voice and Yeshiva World News. He can be reached at: [email protected]
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9 Responses
“More than anything else, it is perhaps the unsavory, anti-Torah aspects of university life that causes large segments of the Orthodox population to balk at the idea of study outside of the protective walls of a yeshiva or kollel”
Can the author of this article please explain what “unsavory and anti-Torah aspects” exist in places like Touro College, Lander College for Men, or Machon L’Parnassa??
The above excuse became obsolete around 30 years ago with the opening of Touro College. There are no longer any valid excuses for a married father to avoid educating himself in skills which will enable him to earn a living.
Electing a tax raising communist like deblasio is realy going to help the situation.
As someone well known in the frum job placement circles, I can tell you with total certainty that the main problem is that unfortunately, the more modern orthodox have the better education,resumes and experience that is required for the professional marketplace. I find them easier to place, they have a more worldly view and don’t speak English like an immigrant.
The discouragement of secular studies in the chareidi world is coming back to haunt us now.There is no substitute for a well rounded secular education starting in grade school.
I am in the front lines of employment in the frum world and I can say with certain confidence that someone who doesn’t learn to read and write proper English as a child will find it almost impossible to catch up later in life. You can always tell by looking at the resumes
NS
One needs to at least know Microsoft Office to get a job. There are plenty of courses out there that don’t require 4 yrs of University. When I lived in Boro Park years ago, there were several frum organizations that taught computers. Learn Excel, basic accounting and math and you should be able to get a job.
‘As someone well known in the frum job placement circles, I can tell you with total certainty that the main problem is that unfortunately, the’
Yeshiva orthodox
‘have the better education,resumes and experience that is required for the professional marketplace’
Without the horrid compromising that typifies the modern orthodox,who then glibly make a system out of it .
#3 Bingo! That is the problem. When getting an education is considered anti-Torah, something is seriously wrong. I understand the college issues. Why aren’t there colleges for men, like Maalot provides for women?
The bigger problem is on the elementary and high school levels. If you don’t get some basic skills in math, english and writing, college will only be a disaster.
Reb About Time,
You can complain all u want about the “MO system” but if you can’t write a coherent sentence and you speak english like a guy fresh off the boat even though you’ve been living in BP or WillyB for 30 years, don’t complain when you’re stuck scrounging around in the “heimishe market” while people with life skills get real jobs.
To Comment # 5- “About Time”:
I know that the truth hurts, but I unfortunately have to stand by my comments in #3. I can’t tell you how many countless hours I spend with Chareidi candidates going thru typos on resumes and basic interview behavioral skills, all caused by almost no secular education and no life skills.
I know the truth hurts and it may burst your bubble, but knocking the MO is not the solution. They work hard, are shomrei torah and mitzvos, earn an honest living without “working” the programs as a lifestyle choice. It doesn’t give you the right to belittle them or any other Jew for that matter.
NS
thank you Mr. Stein and TTI for giving concrete suggestions I could walk away with to improve my success in the business world. I have to say the event was quite packed (looked like over 200!) and the cholent, not bad either…