DID YOU KNOW THAT AN ON-THE-JOB TRAINING GRANT COULD BE YOUR TICKET BACK TO WORK?

If you’re a laid off dislocated worker, see if your local One Stop Career Center and your state’s department of labor under the same roof, to find out if they have funds available for an OJT and take advantage of this opportunity to work. In a nutshell, here’s how an OJT works: The company trains the individual. The grant pays a salary to the employer to pay the individual for a period of a few months while he/she is “on-the-job.” Although the salary is modest, it will give you skills to return to work as companies’ needs have changed. An OJT opportunity resolves a number of important issues, especially for the unemployed individual: He/she learns new skills “hands-on” to list on his/her resume and use towards future work. This activity fills in work/time “gaps” during a jobless bout and restores an individual’s confidence as a productive, contributing member of the work world, especially if he/she has been out of work for a protracted period. The employer receives free help and both have the chance to “try out” each other and the corporate environment. The employer also retains the option to hire him/her at conclusion of the OJT period—and get a tax credit—to boot. It’s be a “win-win” situation all the way around. Some One Stops that have these grants direct the clients to find a company of their choice in their desired field, willing to participate in the OJT program, and then have that company contact the OJT business services representatives in the One Stop Career Centers to get the balling rolling. Call your local One Stop to inquire for OJT grant availability and be advised as to how to go about participating in an OJT opportunity. Log onto www.servicelocator.org and tap in your zip code for the one nearest in your residency. There may be several in your area and if one does not have OJT grants available at this time, perhaps another local one will. If your state’s One Stop Career Centers do not have OJT funds, seek out a company of your choice for new skills. Offer to work without pay if the company is willing to give you a chance to “show you the ropes” to get new skills. Companies have different needs and job titles have changed to encompass multi functions—and you need to have all the skills to be reemployable. It’s still a win-win for both.

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