Job U: How to Find Wealth and Success by Developing the Skills Companies Actually Need

Job U: How To Find Wealth and Success by Developing the Skills Companies Actually Need, by Nicholas Wyman. 2015. New York: Crown Business. 290 Pages. Digital edition. $15.00Job U provides alternative strategies for gaining a lucrative, satisfying career with a strong focus on apprenticeships. A useful educational planning tool for school counselors, career coaches, students, parents and those seeking to re-career. In the current economic climate, there is no guarantee of ajob upon graduation from the traditional four-year degree program. In fact, many graduates find themselves competing for entry-leveljobs against less-educated candidates-all the while struggling with staggering student loan debt. On the other end of the hiring spectrum we have manufacturers, medical providers, IT companies and contractors such as plumbers and electricians who are unable to locate employees with the technical skill sets needed to perform even the basic job duties.Vocational training programs have slowly been eliminated since the 1950s due to budget cuts in education and a growing stigmatization of the vocational workforce, with those enrolled in skills-based training being classified as dropouts or at-risk students. A traditional four-year education is always the most effective method of training for a professional career, nor is it for everyone. Learning methods, financial circumstances and ultimate career interests are all factors in determining one's most productive training path. A resurgence of vocational learning programs must take place in order to close the employee skills gap and to raise awareness of lesser-known, comparable (often even higher paying) professional careers that require specialized training.JOB U provides a history, overview and examples of apprenticeships, vocational and technical education, certification programs, associate degrees, and on-the-job skills training. The greatest challenge of apprenticeship and on the job training programs continues to be getting the buy-in of the parents. They can all agree that these programs are effective and sorely needed. However, a residual college for everyone mindset remains, combined with a not my child reluctance when alternate educational paths are suggested for their children.Imagine the cost of a program whose instructor to student ratio is 1:1? This is the case in an apprenticeship or on-the-job training program. Training becomes a two-way communication rather than a lecture. In addition to technical training, soft skills are also taught, such as accepting criticism, meeting deadlines, accountability, creativity and developing a sense of perfection. All this while earning a paycheck, rather than amassing more debt with each semester. Integrating Career Technical Education (CTE) with traditional high school academic studies positions graduates for success, only in the workplace. …