Are you in a position where you’re considering leaving your current job, have lost your employment, or are seeking new employment? Do you find that your current career skills are outdated or could use some improvement? You may want to consider completing some job training.

The job market is pretty competitive these days, which is why you need to bring your best self to the table. An international employment agency, Adecco Staffing, recently found in a survey that 92% of employers believe American workers lack the required skills. Half of those employers also felt that employees missed out on potentially significant job training opportunities.

Because job training and gaining new skills are so vital to gainful employment, we’ve compiled some information below on free job training programs that can assist in propelling you into your next great opportunity.

U.S. Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor has a sector called the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) that provides information on programs and services available to you. When you visit their website, you can find a variety of programs that can potentially suit your needs, such as:

• Apprenticeship Finder - This tool will help you locate apprenticeship opportunities you can qualify for.
• Career One Stop - This tool will help you find job training, professional development, and educational advancement. You can also apply for financial aid, scholarships, and grants here.
• Worker Reemployment Portal - This tool is specifically designed to help those who have experienced layoffs gain the training they need to obtain gainful employment.
• Job Corps - The Job Corps can help you gain the skills and education needed for the employment you want.

Private Industry Job Training

There are different private organizations available to assist with job training and skill development. Some of the most popular organizations are:

• SCORE - This program is for current entrepreneurs and business owners or those who wish to begin a business. In this program, you will be paired with a mentor who can help you learn and grow in the area you need to. There are over 300 locations nationwide, many of which offer workshops. You can also find online webinars on their website.
• Goodwill - Goodwill offers skills and training programs to assist individuals in finding employment in various labor industries. Opportunities vary from location to location. You can contact your local Goodwill to see what is available to you.
• AARP - If you are 55 or older and low-income, AARP can help. With their program, you can be matched with agencies and programs that can help you find the job training program that’s right for you. There are 72 locations nationwide that can assist you with this.

Community Training Programs

Often, you’ll need to look no further than your community for opportunities available in job training. Career training is an essential tool for communities to offer to ensure their citizens can thrive.

Online Job Training

If you have concerns about the expense of training services, there is no need to worry. Several online courses are available at little to no cost to you. Often, you can earn certifications on your own time and schedule and in a variety of different fields, such as:

• Event Management
• Marketing
• Computer Science
• Web Design
• Public relations
• Business Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Early Childhood Education
• Agriculture
• Music
• Photography

That’s just a few of the categories available to you for online job training. Local colleges and trade schools often have opportunities for you on their websites. You can also check out the following sites for job training and certification:

• Saylor Academy
• Stanford Online
• OnlineDegree.com
• Oxford Home Study Centre

The Bottom Line

Get a leg up on the competition by gaining valuable experience. Even if you feel you are relatively qualified for a position, it never hurts to add something to your resume to put yourself over the top. If you follow the recommendations above, you’ll have a much better chance of being selected for your desired position.