Job Fairs for Apprenticeships & OJT

Leveraging Job Fairs for Apprenticeship & On-the-Job Training Recruitment
Texas has one of the fastest-growing apprenticeship counts in the country, and Gulf Coast companies are starting to recognize the importance of apprenticeship programs to building a skilled workforce. A recent Harvard Business School report found structured apprenticeship programs can prepare future employees better than the traditional college route in many sectors, and they create a strong pipeline for local talent. Job fairs are a great way to find and recruit candidates for apprenticeship and on-the-job training (OJT) programs.

Why Leverage Job Fairs
Where can you connect with a large pool of job candidates in one place? Job fairs. Whether it’s an event targeted at a particular sector or a general career fair, you’ll meet local candidates with a variety of backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences, and any of them could be a good fit for your apprenticeship or OJT programs. Here’s why job fairs should be a cornerstone of your recruitment strategy:

1. Diverse Candidate Pool: You’ll meet a wide range of individuals with different educational backgrounds and career experience. This allows you to promote your apprenticeship program to students, people looking to change careers, and many other types of candidates.
2. Face-to-Face Interaction: Unlike online screening, job fairs provide in-person interactions. Assess candidates’ communication skills, personality, and enthusiasm for your company and program in a way that isn’t possible online.
3. Efficient Screening: Streamline the initial selection process by doing pre-screening interviews on-site and move candidates forward in the process before the event has even ended.

How to Improve Recruiting
Structured apprenticeships and OJT programs provide a way for employees to learn valuable skills while earning a paycheck. They also help companies develop highly skilled workers that can meet the demands of their industry. To get qualified people into these programs, employers need to cast a wide net. Job fairs fit the bill. To improve recruiting at fairs:

1. Promote Programs: Create a presentation or booth signage that showcases your apprenticeship and OJT programs. Highlight the benefits, including hands-on experience, mentorship, pay rate, and career growth.
2. Actively Engage: When meeting attendees, ask about their career goals and identify candidates who are genuinely interested in learning and growing in the field. They may also have friends or family members that would be good candidates.
3. Create a Takeaway: Make it easy for them to learn about your apprenticeship program, including how to apply, program duration, and eligibility criteria. By creating a brochure or handout, they’ll know how to apply and can share the information with others after the event.

Attracting Candidates
People attend job fairs to enter an industry or to find their next opportunity, so you’ll be competing with other companies for these candidates. To be competitive, highlight the benefits of working with your company and make the experience positive and seamless.

1. Highlight Career Opportunities: Let candidates know the apprenticeship or OJT program helps them gain valuable skills while earning a paycheck.
2. Identify Transferable Skills: If candidates are mid-career or looking to change careers, help them find crossover skills that will be useful should they be selected for your program. If a recent high school graduate, highlight that this path is a strong alternative to college.
3. Create a Feedback Loop: When talking with candidates, ask open-ended questions about their goals and what they’re looking for in an employer. This demonstrates openness and care for their thoughts, and it can help refine your program and recruiting process to be more competitive in the field.

Workforce Solutions hosts community job fairs across the Houston area. They’re a great place to find candidates for your apprenticeship or OJT programs. Contact jobs@wrksolutions.com or 713-688-6890 to sign up for an upcoming event.