On-the-job training: Upskill while you get a paycheck

Nov 5, 2021

We hear the term “On-The-Job Training” used in certain industries, but what exactly does this term mean and how can it benefit your career? On-the-job training is not limited to one industry. It can be found in any industry that has seen success in training employees in their current roles and teaching them skills to help them perform their duties better, as well as prepare them to move into a more senior position. On-the-job training allows employees to gain experience and have support from their trainer and colleagues as they master their role.

Why consider a job that offers on-the-job training?
If you are looking for a new role in a new industry, or have been laid off and are struggling to find immediate work due to lack of current experience, on-the-job training roles could be a suitable option for you as they usually do not require any prior experience. This type of training allows employees to receive individual attention and mentoring and also caters to different work styles as well. Quite often, on-the-job training is organized in phases and around milestones, so someone can have confidence they are learning at a healthy pace and can speak up as they go along if they have questions. Additionally, if an organization offers this type of learning, this can indicate that they care about their employees moving up in the company and growing in their roles.

What is the difference between upskilling and on-the-job training?
Upskilling is learning new skills and adding them to your current skills either in your own industry or as part of a strategy to enter a new industry and advance your career. SkillUp offers a variety of programs where you can upskill and learn the core skills needed to enter high growth and in-demand industries. On-the-job training is similar with the exception that you will learn new skills as a part of the benefits of being hired for a certain role.

Why are building skills important when choosing a job?
The job market is shifting. Gone are the days of doing the same role, with the same function until you receive a promotion. In the current job market, it is important to have skills (both soft and hard) to make yourself marketable and desired to employers. Did you know skills like using email properly, zoom, and even communicating in meetings are skills that are just as important as the actual skills needed to perform a job or task? This is because technology is common in more industries than ever before and it is structured to be easy to use and to allow teams to communicate with one another more efficiently. The more skills you can learn, the better you will be at learning new programs and tasks as you navigate your career. The act alone of learning new skills is a skill! Choosing an organization that will integrate skill building into your role will set you up to be successful in future roles.

When looking for a role that offers on-the-job training, also look at their benefits. If they offer education reimbursement or learning as a benefit, they truly care about their employee development. It is important to continue to learn and expand your skills during your career to avoid burn out and to always help you feel competitive in the market. Employers are looking for employees with skills so working in an environment where you can continuously build new skills will set you up to feel secure in the job market, should you ever have to consider a new role.

Learn more about SkillUp and our training catalog here.

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