Tag Archives: idaho careers

Apprenticeships Can Launch Careers

Employers and people who want rewarding careers are taking a second look at a historic training method that may solve some 21st century problems. Several states believe apprenticeship programs can help them compete globally, and European nations using apprenticeships have lower youth unemployment rates.

With soaring tuition keeping young people out of school and employers finding it hard to hire skilled workers, apprenticeships are gaining traction during this time of rapid technological change and intense global competition. This time-honored method of training gives today’s workforce entrants 21st century skills without incurring debt. They earn while they learn the things they actually use on the jobs, and they see theory put into practice.

Under the eye of mentors, apprentices learn on the job and in class. In many cases, the education in a highly skilled field is free. Apprentices work from two to six years – usually about four – to become journeymen certified as competent in all major aspects of their occupations. Continue reading →

FAQ Friday – What do I do when I can’t get an interview?

Sometimes the answer may be simply that there are many applicants to choose from. Remember there are a lot of employers out there and maybe getting an entry level job elsewhere could help you get a job with their perfect employer at a higher level in the future. In the meantime…Computrol

Get a Second Opinion on how you present yourself to prospective employers in a résumé, cover letter or in person. Ask an Idaho Department of Labor consultant to review these items and how you can better portray yourself to the employer.

Can YOU Read Your Writing? Was your application legible? Some company hiring managers won’t even consider you if they can’t read your writing. Did you fail to complete your application, explain your strong skills, abilities, and training or education? Did you go to the office on Monday, the busiest day of the week, or at closing time? Try a mock “turn in your application” the exact way you did with the last company you visited, and do it with someone who will give you some feedback. You may discover some issues you haven’t thought of before. Make sure everything is filled in on the application, and if the subject doesn’t pertain, a simple (n/a) is adequate, but don’t leave it blank.

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Seven Ways to Launch a New Career

These days there are lots of tools to choose from when considering a new career.

New this year, the Healthcare Virtual Career Network provides career exploration and training tools to help job seekers prepare for careers in healthcare. Job seekers can explore healthcare careers, identify education and training programs, access online courses, get credit for prior learning, and search for local healthcare jobs.

Idaho’s Career Information System (click on Guests for the free version) has added or improved several new information files including About Programs of Study, About Schools (also available in Spanish) and Financial Aid Sort. All of these pages contain Idaho-specific information and are designed to help students make wiser choices about what schools can help them reach their career goals.  Life After High School is a tool designed to help younger students learn that training beyond high school is appropriate, sensible and affordable. Workshops on how to use this system are held throughout the state each fall and are for anyone who works with or helps students or clients develop career plans. Click here to find the workshop closest to your area.

The Worker Reemployment Portal is designed to assist impacted workers following job loss and to connect them to resources for training, reemployment, career planning, financial and emotional help during the process of job transition. The site also now includes a job search by location feature.

CareerOneStop helps job seekers explore careers, investigate salary and benefit information, research education and training opportunities, plan a job search, browse job sites, write and improve resumes and cover letters, prepare for a job interview and search for jobs. The site’s new Certification Finder  houses information on thousands of certifications and allows users to search for certifications by industry, occupation, or keyword. A new feature includes icons that highlight certifications that have been recognized, endorsed, or accredited by third-party organizations.

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Pocatello’s John Schwartz: Finding More than Just Another Job

Listen to John Schwartz, a graduate of Idaho State University, talk about how the training he received at the ISU College of Technology  successfully shaped his future:

Today, Schwartz  one of the first graduates of the program, is owner and operator of EASY Solutions, a company specializing in renewable energy needs.

“EASY Solutions is committed to being an absolute success in the eyes of the ISU faculty by keeping the education I received in Idaho, benefiting Idaho families and businesses,” said Schwartz.

ISU’S Renewable Energy Systems program is a nine month program that prepares students to work in an industry in need of skilled professionals. It was funded in part through a $5.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor which allowed the state to help install state-of-the-art equipment in classrooms throughout Idaho and strengthen dual-credit programs where high school students earn post-secondary credits before they graduate.

Idaho was one of 34 states to receive a green grant from the $190 million earmarked in a 2009 economic stimulus package designed to expand the nation’s labor pool with the skills needed by emerging industries like renewable and efficient energy. Nearly $4.5 million of the $5.9 million received was  distributed to 22 Idaho schools, with the Idaho AFL-CIO receiving the rest for apprenticeship programs.

Learn more more about ISU’s program at www.isu.edu/estec or call (208) 282-2622.