Learning About An Apprenticeship Program Can Change Your Life!
Have you recently graduated high school and unsure of what direction to take regarding a future career path? Maybe you are a recent college grad and realizing your degree in Liberal Arts isn’t opening a bunch of job opportunities for you.
Or, on the other end of the spectrum, you’ve worked a job for years that just isn’t helping you reach your financial goals quickly enough. Now you’re looking to make a career transition.
Regardless of which of these three stages in life you currently identify with, this article is for you. The following information may be highly advantageous in stimulating some new direction for your career.
Let me assure you, there are a plethora of options available to you. Regardless of your current financial situation or amount of work experience.
Apprenticeships Are for Everybody – but You Must Build Your Career Pathway!
Like in a mathematical equation, there’s almost always a solution to every problem, it’s just a matter of finding it.
Worry and stress are literally toxic, so we should all strive to avoid it like the plague.
Determining the best solution for you will ultimately enrich your life and fulfill your financial goals and needs. Nationwide apprenticeship programs are changing lives, so let’s read why.
You’re likely familiar with this famous quote: “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” – Marc Anthony
Find an Apprenticeship Program in a Field of Work You’ll Enjoy for the Long Term
So, you might consider this as a career path to follow. What kind of person are you? Do you consider yourself an extrovert?
Well, a career that allows you to socially interact with lots of people might be a great option for you.
Are you more introverted? Then a job where you can have some solitude and mitigate social interaction may be more appealing.
Next, what do YOU enjoy doing? Are you physically active and like getting your hands dirty? Or, do you prefer sitting in a plush office chair engaging your mind in more cerebral activities?
I believe these are all important considerations to be made before deciding on a career path. Because the last thing you want to do is invest your MONEY, and even more importantly your TIME.
Into expensive schools or boot-camps in a career choice that is not fit for your aptitude or enjoyment.
“If you love life, then you will not waste time for time is what life is made of.” – Bruce Lee
Ok, so now that I’ve elucidated upon some of the factors I believe necessary to be considered for any career seeker beginning their journey. Now let’s get to the meat and potatoes of what this article is all about.
I’d like to circle back to one of the topics I touched on previously because having knowledge of this could be a real game-changer for you.
There’s Never Been a Better Time to Join an Apprenticeship Program
A Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion has been created via an executive order which took place on June 15, 2017.
In a statement posted on The Department of Labor website, the main goal of this is to “identify strategies and proposals to promote apprenticeships, especially in sectors where apprenticeship programs are insufficient.”
The official executive summary is as follows:
“While apprenticeships are a proven pathway to middle and high-skilled jobs, apprentices comprise only 0.2 percent of the United States labor force, substantially less than in Canada (2.2 percent), Britain (2.7 percent), and Germany (3.7 percent).
Some industries with defined career pathways, such as construction and building trades, have embraced the apprenticeship earn-as-you-learn approach.”
Labor unions, Educational institutions, representatives from companies, and public agencies are collaborating on this endeavor to bring it to fruition, and much progress has been made.
Why is this so important? Because having a skilled workforce not only boosts the American economy but provides the average American worker with a family-sustaining career!
Aside from boosting the economy, this 5-year plan of expanding industry-recognized apprenticeships through on-the-job training means an abundance of great new opportunities for you, the career seeker.
As I mentioned, the conception of this executive order took place three years ago and since then, many steps toward expanding apprenticeships have been made.
The TASK FORCE ON APPRENTICESHIP EXPANSION is actively bridging the skills gap in America by creating apprenticeships that support the needs of employers.
By expanding apprenticeships across all industries career seekers are provided with the opportunity to obtain the skills they need for jobs not only for today but jobs of the future as well.
Unfilled Jobs in the Labor Market Translate to Opportunity for You!
There are currently 6 million unfilled jobs at companies in the labor market right now and only half a million apprenticeships. Think about all the opportunities this creates and how it solves labor market challenges to create the workforce of America’s future.
I mean, how appealing does this all sound, right? Especially when apprenticeship programs offer you a career path that boasts paid on-the-job training (earn-as-you-learn model), skills development, and mentorship.
You’ll have the potential to grow into a critical and successful component of our nation’s workforce, filling the skills gap of currently underutilized programs.
When I learned of this, my first thought was, “Genius!” Being a millennial, I’ve witnessed first-hand how my peers are now college graduates, with a mountain of debt, and have exceedingly limited employment options.
Unless, of course, they decided to go on to pursue a master’s degree, most have found the value of their degree to be little more than a cool certificate of graduation to be framed in the family living room.
TranZed and OJT.com are teaming together building World-Class OJT Solutions for you.
You are already here on TranZed reading this hot blog, so stay longer and learn what it takes to become an apprentice.
Then search OJT.com for budding occupations per state, and discover growing industries slated into the year 2026.
Explore the maze of sponsors ready to hear from you by state and industry. Query your dream occupation per city and state found in the National OJT Directory.
Find over 30,000 approved apprenticeship companies and schools offering OJT programs in your industry of choice.
On-the-Job Training comes in Many Colors & Flavors
The most obvious types are apprenticeships and internships offered by employers.
But schools, unions, labor associations, volunteer corps, government workforce agencies, and military offer ultra-unique programming, each with exclusive benefits to shape your future.
Let me offer some of my choice picks:
A government-sponsored program such as Job Corps offers goodies like meals, living allowance, housing on their campus, child care allotments, basic medical care, and more.
This program is available to a certain financial and age demographic (18 to 24 years of age). 123 Job Corps Centers offering 81 occupational skills across the nation are ready to hear from you.
An industry trade association named ABC Associated Builder and Contractors sports 60 chapters coast to coast. They have a membership of 21,000 contractor companies offering career seekers OJT positions.
The California Southern Chapter alone has 330 members who are currently training 1,400 individuals like you! The amazing perk about this gig, some courses last up to 4 years…WOW I say! Earn lots-as-you-learn.
The military offers OJT programs lasting the entire time you serve.
I know, I was in the Air Force for 5 years as an Electronic Countermeasures Specialist. I got to send screwy signals back to enemy radar allowing our pilots to operate in stealth mode. Shazam! The fighter pilots loved us.
The first 9 months of my tour were spent attended Keesler Air Base Technical School, living on the coast attending school for 6 hours per day.
The entire 5 years I worked on these advanced radar jamming systems. These were built by Westinghouse and other renowned manufactures I was subject to on-going OJT.
Talk about travel! Another perk for military personnel. I also spent 4 years in Germany and traveled to Europe. The military offers 30 days of vacation per year.
A volunteer on-the-job-training opportunity lies with the Peace Corps Where you can find a country you would like to serve in while you gain valuable OJT experience.
Schools typically called Tech Institutes, Trade Schools or Academies offer curriculum to train you in certain disciplines, using real-world environments with top of the line machinery.
Here you will be taught by select seasoned industry masters. As they help you craft the skill set of your dreams. Take a look at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) to find the ultimate Internships & Co-ops program.
They are setting the stage for World-Class OJT opportunities, second to none! They are one of the 10 largest colleges in the nation with great career services.
Please visit TranZed’s Apprentice Blog and OJT’s Blog regularly for new and exciting OJT and Apprenticeship opportunities.
Find an Apprenticeship Program Near You
Due to all this, OJT.com was born. We serve as a National On-the-Job Training Directory and Industry Resource Center.
Our mission is to guide career seekers and business owners to OJT solutions such as government and corporate apprenticeship programs. As well as with labor unions, over 7000 US schools, and private training companies.
Bridging the job skills gap is key to America’s future. And we’re here to partner with students, career seekers, government workforce agencies, and employers to make the connection happen!
There are over 3,000,000 combinations in our directory to help build your personal, thriving, and successful career pathway for your future.
