You’re likely to consider apprenticeships and internships for people just starting their careers or switching from another career. But on-the-job training is valuable for all employees, regardless of their experience level. It could help them grow in a current position or it could be the means to a great promotion.
On-the-job training can be used to:
- Teach employees specific skills, such as how to use a particular piece of equipment or software
- Improve employee skills unique to your business
- Provide leadership training to help managers and prospective managers prepare for greater responsibility
Who does the training?
It depends on the training you need and the resources you have. Often:
- Professional training providers can help you develop a customized curriculum or can conduct the actual training in your workplace
- Experienced staff can do excellent peer-to-peer training, but it’s important to select employees who want to do such training and to develop a clear step-by-step training program to ensure they cover all information
- Managers and supervisors can do employee training through simulated real-life scenarios. This can be particularly useful in jobs that involve contact with the public, such as sales and customer service
There are financial incentives for employers who provide on-the-job training for people who recently lost a job through no fault of their own. On-the-job training in this context refers to a contractual agreement between the local workforce development agency and an employer. The employer agrees to employ and train the participant, and the workforce development agency agrees to reimburse a portion of the participant’s wages (50 percent or more, depending on various criteria). Talk with a CareerForce specialist to learn more.
