Finding yourself ill and suddenly out of work can be deeply discouraging. Or, if you’re Kenneth Cheung, it could become a time to reassess and renew.
“When I got sick and was let go from my job, I had to start thinking about the future and how to get back on my feet. Then, I found SkillingUp,” says Kenneth.
SkillingUp is a comprehensive and free digital skills program that gives people with disabilities access to the knowledge, technology and opportunities to succeed in careers requiring digital skills.
When Kenneth, a senior IT solutions architect, became sick and was ultimately laid off from his job, at first it was a relief. “I was struggling health-wise, and I needed a break. But that can’t last forever.”
Kenneth spent two years out of the workforce. While his illness had affected him physically, it also took a toll on his emotional well-being. Self-confidence became a stranger to him. “I wasn’t sure if I was ready to work full time.”
Still, he told himself, “I want to get back to work. I need to make some changes.”
He began his journey by doing an online search for agencies that supported people with disabilities. “I wanted to see if there are some accommodations for people with certain disabilities and employers who are more accommodating in some sense.” This led him to March of Dimes Canada and the SkillingUp program.
In 2023, CIBC Foundation granted $100,000 to SkillingUp to provide a workforce development solution, supporting people with disabilities to find employment in tech through digital skills training, mentorships and job placement assistance.
Kenneth knew from experience that the tech industry changes fast and after being away for two years, he’d need to catch up. With an eye on cloud computing, he pursued SkillingUp courses where he achieved certification in Microsoft Azure.
With newfound skills and confidence, he began his job search. Through SkillingUp, Kenneth found “really good courses around finding work in a challenging environment and overcoming feeling overwhelmed.” He discovered how to retool his resume and cover letters for his specific field of work. He trained using mock interviews, learning how to present himself with assurance. In addition, he had interviews with Jeanine, his SkillingUp vocation specialist, which helped him address some mistakes he was making.
After three rounds of real-world interviews, Kenneth is now thriving in his new role as an Enterprise Architect. His confidence has returned and he’s thriving.
He has since signed up to be a SkillingUp mentor for those who’ve found themselves at a similar turning point.
Kenneth shares that, “The most important thing is just to get started — you don’t need to know all the steps, you just need to know your next step. That’s all you need and then things could really turn around for you.”
