Trouble Finding That New Job? Some Surprising Answers
Long term solutions to combat unemployment, part 2
On-the-job training (OJT) is one of the best paths to continued employment.
In the last Thursday Classroom post, we looked at education as the surest path to continued employment. But most graduates aren’t “walk-in-the-door” ready when they leave school. OJT is part of a graduate’s training as they move into a job. And a college education gives most student lifelong learning skills.
But we know that not every high school student is ready for college. We also know that the economy changes over time. New types of jobs require different skills.
And there are some jobs that will always need workers. As the baby boomers retire, vacancies rose in skilled trades, like carpentry and electrical and plumbing work. And these jobs typically involve an informal apprenticeship period. A screenshot from a Google search on “apprenticeships near me” revealed several apprenticeships for electricians.
The US has set up a clearing house to provide job seekers with opportunities for paid OJT with registered apprenticeships. [1] According to Apprenticeship.gov, businesses sign up and follow these conditions:
Paid Work: The company provides paid work with guaranteed wage increases as skills develop.
Credentials: Candidates earn an industry-recognized and nationally portable credential.
Career Jumpstart: Those struggling with the transition from school to career can get help.
Education: Candidates gain workplace-relevant skills through on-the-job learning.
Degree Potential: Apprenticeships may provide academic credit towards a college degree.
Mentorship: The company connects apprentices with mentor(s) to help advance their careers.
Is the program successful?
94% of apprentices who complete a registered apprenticeship keep the job, with an average annual salary of $80,000
Funneling students into the best tracks for their skills and interests increases production in the economy and alleviates spells of unemployment for American workers.
For those needing a change later in life, apprenticeship programs can overcome the challenges. According to the Department of Labor, the number of apprenticeship programs doubled from 2003 to 2023. [2]
Helmets to Hardhats, for example, provides former military personnel with opportunities to learn the construction trade. [3] Dow is looking for process technician apprentices in its Kentucky location. With over 400,000 jobs openings going unfilled, Home Depot works with the Path2Pro program to train potential employees for skilled trades such as construction, plumbing, and electrical work. [4]
But apprenticeships aren’t just for high-school students. For example, Applied Materials is helping new college graduates in finance, accounting, and economics learn finance through a two-year apprenticeship. [5]
Entrepreneurship is also a strategy for finding work long-term work. The Small Business Administration (SBA.gov) provides loans to small businesses as well as mentorship programs, help with writing business plans, and other leadership programs.
But not everyone can run their own business.
For other workers, such as disabled and older workers needing to change jobs, clear enforcement of current equal opportunity laws is key. The Older Worker Benefit Act protects older workers from discrimination, but in practice many of these workers are passed over for jobs. [6] In North Carolina, a study shows that older workers are less likely to find work. [7]
As for our intrepid travelers, the jobs in other states didn’t pan out. So, they came back to Atlanta. Once home, they did find work. One found remote work. He works for a company based in Wisconsin. The other one returned to the Atlanta company he had left.
Thank you for reading,
Nikki
Know someone who’d like to read this post and others like it? Send them this link: https://nikkifinlay.substack.com. Thank you for spreading the word!
[1] Jump Start Your Career, https://www.apprenticeship.gov/career-seekers.
[2] Apprenticeships Poised to Move 830,000 workers into strong careers, https://.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-report-apprenticeships-poised-to-move-830-000-workers-into-strong-careers-creating-28-5-billion-in-additional-earnings-in-2024--301986151.html.
[3] Helmets to Hardhats: We connect veterans with jobs, https://helmetstohardhats.org.
[4] Path to Pro: Building Future Tradepeople, https://www.pathtopro.com.
[5] Allied Materials: Finance Rotation Program, https://www.appliedmaterials.com/us/en/careers/new-grads-finance.html.
[6] Older Worker Benefit Protection Act of 1990,. https://www.eeoc.gov/history/older-workers-benefit-protection-act-1990.
[7] Older workers face age discrimination, negative health impacts when they lose their job, https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/01/20/older-jobseekers-face-age-discrimination-negative-health-impacts/.