On-the-Job Training (OJT) is an “earn as you learn” training program designed to help you gain employment for which you are not yet fully qualified. It is a strategy that allows you to receive hands-on training, supported by NOVA, and helps you learn occupational skills to re-enter the workforce.
While participating in OJT, you are engaged in productive, paid work to gain the knowledge and skills essential to transition into your targeted occupation. OJT provides an incentive for employers to hire NOVA customers and invest in their skill development as long-term employees; at the same time, OJT trainees can support themselves as they learn.
OJT may be ideal for job seekers who:
- are lacking on-the-job skills;
- prefer hands-on learning;
- lack the vocational skills necessary for his/her targeted occupation, which can be learned more thoroughly on the job;
- have identified a target occupation for which no classroom training is available; or
- need additional supervision as they learn specific skills for an occupation.
If you are interested in NOVA's on-the-job training program, request an appointment with a training advisor to discuss your options.
Funding for OJT is currently provided through a National Emergency Grant (NEG) and is limited to those who qualify. To be eligible for the NEG OJT program, you must be a dislocated worker (determined at time of CONNECT registration), have been laid off after January 1, 2008, and been unemployed for at least 21.5 weeks, and not received NOVA or WIA-funded training in the past.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OJT subsidized employment?
OJT is training provided by an employer; it is not subsidized employment. The trainee will be hired by an employer as a permanent employee and is expected to learn occupational skills sufficient to make him/her competent in the skills required for the target occupation. This training should lead to a long-term career, preferably with the company providing the training.
Is OJT an internship?
No, OJT is occupational training. Unlike an internship, the trainee is working and employed as a regular employee, working the same number of hours and earning the same benefits and pay as any other employee at a similar level. Again, this training should lead to a long-term career, preferably with the company that provided the training.
Will NOVA place me in an OJT?
NOVA staff will work with potential OJT customers to identify opportunities and to market OJT to potential employers. However, NOVA cannot guarantee an OJT position. Past experience with OJT has demonstrated that trainees who proactively identify an OJT opportunity tend to be more successful in retaining employment with that same company. Therefore, it is important that interested job seekers be willing and able to effectively job search.
How long does an OJT last?
The length of an OJT is determined by the length of time that the employer and NOVA believe it will take the trainee to sufficiently learn the skills required for the job. Typically, an OJT lasts 3–4 months, depending upon the trainee's prior level of experience. An OJT may not exceed six months.
For Interested Employers
If you are an employer and are interested in participating in NOVA's on-the-job training program, contact NOVA at: ojt@novaworks.org.
Learn more about employer benefits: NOVA OJT Program.