Students attend college to further benefit them in the career of their choice and catapult them into the life of their dreams. What many students do not know is that while attending college, many businesses in multiple industries offer on-the-job-training. Through participating in on-the-job-training and occupational programs, students are able to set themselves up for careers whilst still attending college or for immediately after they graduate. It is the combination of on-the-job-training and a college degree that truly give students the advantage over other job applicants and traditional college students.
Gaining an Education
In 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found a direct correlation between a college education and employment rates. It was found that people over the age of 25 with less than a high school degree earned a weekly average of less than 500 dollars a week and had an unemployment rate of just over 14%. People, who had attended some college but had not earned a degree, grossed a weekly median amount of just over 700 dollars and the unemployment rate was lower at 8.7%. For those who had graduated with a Bachelors degree, the weekly pay was considerably higher at 1,053 dollars a week and at a lower unemployment rate of 4.9%. These statistics visibly display the need for higher education and that pay rates rise and unemployment decreases as students further gain higher degrees, such as Master’s and Doctoral Degrees.
It is obvious that gaining an education is vital to the success of an individual in their career choice and life, but a degree is only half of the equation. Without a successful background in the field or industry that correlates to a specific degree, many students find themselves seeking employment without having the skills only learned through on-the-job-training.
On The Job Training
According to a study conducted by The Associated Press, roughly 53.6 percent of bachelor’s degree-holders who are under the age of 25 were jobless or underemployed last year. Many employers have suggested that while earning a degree offers a well rounded education in theory, it does not necessarily provide the correct skills needed in the workforce. Because of this, employers are looking for employees who have a degree as well as experience with on the job training. Job training is applicable to multiple fields of business but is most commonly found in the industries of public health, criminal justice and education.
These three areas of business offer well rounded on the job training to students actively participating in finishing their bachelors in criminal justice, public health or education. For those pursuing a degree in education, student teaching is mandatory to give students first hand experience in an actual classroom with multiple students. For those with a master degree in healthcare administration, work programs are available to offer on the job training to better prepare students for a career in the public health field. In fact, the employment of health educators is estimated to increase by 37 percent by the year 2020, which will increase the efforts and need for on the job training programs.
Students who’ve participated in on the job training programs also tend to have jobs lined up and waiting for them once they have earned their degree- already filling any job openings with completely qualified employees.
The Double Threat
In May of 2012, research showed that college graduates who became employed increased to nearly 46.4 million people, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is great news for degree holders and is due largely in part to the double participation in college degree programs and on the job training of students while attending college. The combination of the two makes any job applicant a double threat to other applicants who maybe lacking the complete set of skills and degree needed for the job.
Author bio: Jennifer Cook writes on student life, going back to school and online learning technology for Strayer.edu. When she isn't writing, you can track her down in the library, trying to check out more books than her card allows.