Get New Skills
There are three main ways to get new work skills. Which one best fits your way of learning? Do you like to…
- Learn a new skill informally from someone who can show or teach you?
- Learn a new skill through formal training like a one-time class or workshop, or a longer course or certificate program?
- Learn a new skill by volunteering where you can learn while you're helping?
You can use each method in many different ways. Here are some ideas.
Getting Informal Skill Training
Your work place may already have a mentoring or cross-training program. The human resources department often organizes such programs. With a supervisor's help, the worker selects a new skill to learn on the job. A match is made with an employee who guides the worker in learning and practicing the new skill. This can be a full-time assignment for a certain period, or just a few hours a week.
For example, an administrative worker who speaks Spanish may learn how to staff a call-center help desk. A manufacturing worker may learn how to operate new machinery.
Workers can also request this kind of skill training. Even if your employer does not have a cross-training system set up, ask about:
- A job shadow - During a full working day, or half a day, accompany and observe a worker doing a job you are interested in. You can learn about the job duties and skills needed. Get advice on training you would need to perform this job.
- A mentoring relationship - Find another employee who has skills you would like to acquire. Arrange to meet the mentor regularly to discuss how you can practice these skills in your current job. You can also discuss how to get assignments that let you practice new skills.
This type of arrangement often works well for strengthening supervisory, management, and planning skills. It can also work when you want to learn a technical skill from someone in a different department.
Mentors can be of all ages - older than you as well as much younger. See AARP Resources below for a story about mixed-age mentoring
- Cross-training - Some companies cross-train workers to reduce stress and increase motivation. These workers switch or rotate jobs or tasks on a regular basis. Individual workers, too, can arrange to learn a new task through cross-training. Look for a job at your workplace that can be learned through on-the-job training, and that is likely to have future openings. Arrange to be relieved of your own tasks for a few hours a week. Or arrange to cross-train during your lunch break or before or after your regular work hours.
Formal Training
Do any of these sound like you?
- You'd like to use a second language on the job, but you need to brush up or learn more.
- You've learned word processing on the job. You know there would be more opportunities for you if you knew desktop publishing too.
- You're thinking about switching to the health field. Getting certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) would let you volunteer at your local fire department. This could be your first step in a career change.
- To meet overseas competition, your plant is switching to new manufacturing processes. Instructors will come to your plant to teach the technology needed to operate the new machines.
- Every job you apply for needs more writing than you're used to. This is your chance to master basic English or business writing skills.
- You want the next level of certification in computer networking, so you can get a promotion.
- Due to the nursing shortage, there are lots of nursing jobs available. You could take a new evening program in less than a year and transfer credits from the degree you started years ago.
Your local community college is the place to start to find workshops, professional certificate courses, and associate degree programs. In many areas, community colleges offer worker training programs. They focus on training in jobs that local employers need to fill. They also specialize in training dislocated workers in new skills.
Community colleges work closely with the U.S. Department of Labor's Career One-Stop Centers, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Center for Workforce Preparation. Together, they identify and teach the skills that today's workers need. Many colleges also work with individual businesses and plants. They create customized training for workers to update their skills for new jobs.
More than one in twenty of today's community college students are age 50 and over. Some programs and campuses have even more older students. You may be pleasantly surprised at the diverse ages and situations of your fellow students. You are sure to have lots in common.
Make an appointment with a college counselor to find out what training is right for you.
You may prefer to brush up on basic skills first. This could be your chance to master the basics of reading or writing. Maybe you haven't had to use much reading or writing on your job in the past. Or you haven't had time to build the skills that you want now.
Literacy Councils in many communities match you to work one-on-one with a trained volunteer. There are also literacy and English classes in the adult program of public schools. Many religious and other community organizations also offer these classes.
Formal Online Distance Learning
Many colleges and training institutes now offer distance learning courses via the Web. At some places, you can earn a college degree online.
The technology for online courses is easy to use. You can participate in the class, complete assignments, and get help from the instructor at times that are best for you.
Students report high satisfaction and solid learning from online courses. Pick an accredited institution. Be prepared to manage your time well. Try out one course to see how you like this method of learning.
Volunteer
You may be seeking certain job skills. Consider learning those skills while you do a volunteer job. What do you want to learn, or practice doing? You may be able to work out a match with a volunteer job that needs your skills and will let you build new skills too.
When you meet with an organization's volunteer director, be direct. Describe what you can contribute and what you want to learn. Find out if you will be able to practice new skills while helping the organization meet its needs. Make sure you'll receive proper training. Arrange for someone at the organization to guide you and provide feedback on your work.
If you want to apply for a training position at your job, you can learn how to train other volunteers. You can teach technical skills in a youth vocational program to help prepare for a promotion. To qualify for a supervisory job, you can manage a community program in the volunteer organization. Working directly with the organization's clients may help you renew your counseling credentials.
Document your volunteer experience. You can record your learning and achievements in a journal. Save your training certificates. Gather samples of your work, any awards you receive, or letters of appreciation. Use these when you apply for your next job or promotion.
Your county volunteer center and your local United Way can put you in touch with organizations that need volunteers. AARP has joined up with Volunteer Match to tell you about volunteer jobs and projects in your area.
AARP Resources
This Isn't Your Father's Mentoring Relationship
Reverse mentoring matches employees of different ages.
Back to School at Age 50+
Get inspired by stories of real-life people going back to school.
Find Volunteer Positions
in Your Area
Enter your zip code and the kind of volunteering you're
interested in to get a list of volunteer openings.
Additional Resources
Find the Right Training Program at Your Local Community
College
Find a list of community colleges in your state. Each
college's site has easy-to-find information about getting
started.
Need
Help With Reading or Writing Skills?
Find a nearby ProLiteracy America program where volunteers work
with adults to help them learn to read and write or improve
English skills.
Find Training in Your
Community Through Your Career One-Stop Center
Career One-Stop Centers partner with many local training programs
to help workers learn new skills.
Explore
Distance Learning Programs
Select a course of study to find schools offering
distance-learning degrees.
Volunteer Now With a
United Way Agency
Get a list of open volunteer jobs in your local area.
Books
Find these books online at Barnes and Noble.com
Guide to Distance Learning Programs 2004, Peterson's, Thomson Inc., 2003 Find 3,500 certificate and degree programs at 1,100 schools. All at-a-distance and all accredited. Tips for deciding if distance learning is right for you, and for choosing the right program. Also check your library for a copy.
