How To Find Free Job Training Programs for Employment

Have you ever felt lost because you don’t have the means to go back to school or to invest money into learning a new skill? Or maybe you want to advance in your career and take on more responsibilities at the workplace, but you’re not sure where to start.

Whatever the reason, not to worry! There’s plenty of free job training opportunities out there to help you get started on a new career path or push you to the next level at your current job.

Difference Between Job Training and Workforce Development?

Although job training and workforce development sound similar, there are few key differences between the two. Let’s take a closer look at what they are. 

What is Job Training?

Job training is typically provided for employees who need training in a specific area or skill to do their job. Whether it’s a new software that’s being used to perform everyday tasks or overall job requirements, this training is considered an upskilling and is a requirement, not an option. 

Upskilling or job training could be taught by a hired third-party company or from within the company, performed by co-workers or management. Often, you’ll find this training period happening at the beginning of employment as an onboarding process to ensure the new employee can properly perform applicable tasks to their role.

Although, continued education of current or new protocols, procedures, and technology could result in job training at any given time. 

What is Workforce Development?

The details of workforce development could vary within different businesses, but the overall premise behind it is to improve upon existing employee skills to enable long-term success. 

This program is designed to enhance all future goals within a company by using ongoing development to grow. Whereas, job training is complete once the employee expresses competency. Another term used to describe this is job-related skill enhancement. Often part of mandatory training, but there could contain optional election opportunities as well, like leadership development.

Areas could include, but are not limited to:

• Management Skills

• Company Culture 

• Leadership Development

• Customer Satisfaction

• Client Services

• Professionalism 

• Developing Interpersonal Skills

Team Management

To further develop your leadership skills and improve your role as an effective leader, there are options for free or low-cost leadership and management programs available. If there’s a cost applied, ask your boss or company if they’d consider covering the cost. Most employers find massive value in investing in their management staff to lead a team more effectively.  

Here are a few options to consider:

• Coursera -Learn new skills from courses, certificates, and degrees online from world-class universities and companies.

• Alison -Free online courses ranging from IT to Lifestyle

• Udemy– The world’s largest selection of online video courses

• Harvard Online– Certificate in School Management and Leadership

• Future Learn– Online courses

Online Training

A few minutes spent browsing the internet and you could easily find free or low-cost job training online, including the examples above. Online training is perfect for anyone whether their position has transitioned online or they are able to continue their duties in-person. Oftentimes these trainings can be a tax write off if a cost was attached. Here are a few free job training programs online.

• Career One Stop – American Job Center Network Partnered with U.S Department of Labor

• Google Digital Garage– Free learning content and courses

• Oxford Home Study Centre -Affordable home study courses

Are Job Training Programs Effective?

Yes, it’s a win-win situation for both employers and employees to engage in continued job training or workforce development. They improve employee retention, strengthen in-house talent to promote within, attract future talent with a progressive mentality, and keep everyone challenged and engaged. The more you invest in yourself, the more valuable you become to a company. 

Where Can I Find Job Training and Placement Programs Near Me

When looking for job training and placement opportunities near you, you should start with Indeed or any job search platform. If you’re looking to move into a new career entirely, search for jobs within your skillset.

Looking to jump ship and start something fresh? The U.S Department of Labor Job Corps has a wide range of training programs available for everyone from youth to veterans. 

Also, searching for free job training programs near you could give you a more specific local approach to finding work. Below are a few places to view job placement programs that will help you locally or nationally. 

• Career One Stop – Personalized workforce tool and resource for employment

• Workforce GPS – Online technical assistance by the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor.

• AARP Foundation – Helps low-income, unemployed individuals aged 55 or older find work with local nonprofits and public agencies.

• Goodwill – Community based non-profit organization offers free training

Managing Your New Income 

Opportunities to improve professionally are available and sometimes free to anyone who is willing. After you’ve locked in a new job or you’re promoted within, appropriately managing your money is a top priority. 

Sign up for a $1/month RoarMoney account from MoneyLion and keep tabs on your daily spending within the mobile app. Unlock a low-cost Credit Builder Loan to improve your credit score while auto-investing a portion of your earnings – and do it all on your lunch break!