How Pre-Hire Training Programs Can Help Employers Find The Right Workforce

Employers in Virginia are struggling to find and keep qualified employees for open job positions. According to a report released by the Virginia Employment Commission in February 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ December 2021 Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) showed Virginia employers increased hiring but the number of quitting workers rose by 28% from November. Reasons for quitting range from job dissatisfaction, wanting a higher rate of pay or just wanting to be part of the "Great Resignation." As employers work overtime to fill open positions, many are turning to the highly successful strategy of pre-hire training programs to hire qualified candidates.

What are pre-hire training programs? 

Pre-hire training programs are designed to help both the employer and their future employees. For the employer, these programs can help identify key challenges that are affecting business operations, and create custom solutions to overcome those challenges. For potential employees, pre-hire training programs are designed to give candidates information from real-world employers about jobs either currently open or in the pipeline to open in the near future, and the associated skills and training required to do those jobs. The result? Employers are able to identify candidates who have the interest and capacity to develop the skills needed for current and future jobs, and community members looking for work can find in-demand jobs.

What is included in a pre-hire training program?

A proven example of a pre-hire training program is The Marine Trades Training (MTT) program, started in 2017 and delivered in partnership with the Virginia Ship Repair Association and the Hampton Roads region's Community College Workforce Cooperative (CCWC) college partners Paul D. Camp Community College, Thomas Nelson Community College, and Tidewater Community College.

The MTT program has trained more than 2,100 participants in six occupations for employment within the shipbuilding and ship repair industry with a 90% hire rate for program completers. The MTT program model can be duplicated in nearly any industry, and can include the following benefits.

  • Recruitment of targeted employee populations for an accelerated training program resulting in a guaranteed job interview or job placement upon successful completion of the program.
  • Candidates for training can be prescreened by employers or employer representatives based on specific job requirements.
  • Training duration can vary based on skills, knowledge, and abilities covered, with accelerated (2-10 weeks), bootcamp style training proving to be highly effective.
  • Training can be delivered to mimic the actual workplace, and direct employer participation is encouraged.
  • Training program serves as an opportunity for trainees to experience the job and an opportunity for employers to assess trainees before hire.
  • Successful completers are prepared to make immediate contributions once hired.
  • Employee retention rates are higher amongst program completers compared to general hires.

Pre-hire training has been a successful workforce development strategy for years, but now more than ever, it can help Virginia's employers find and retain qualified employees.  

To learn more about how CCWC's free to low cost pre-hire training programs are helping to rebuild Virginia's workforce, contact Todd Estes at mestes@ccwc.vccs.edu or (757) 975-5321.

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