OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS TRAINING
“crossing the bridge from education to experience.”

Let our creative staff – knowledgeable about a wide variety of training opportunities across many fields of study – help you custom design an Occupational Skills Training program related to your needs and interests. We add new training options nearly every term. Let us know what interests you!  Read on to find out more about this exciting opportunity.

What is Occupational Skills Training (OST)?
OST is a state approved, one-year certificate program (not financial aid eligible). 

OST uses the community as the classroom for hands-on learning in any one of a variety of career fields. OST combines general education classes, career-related coursework and on-the-job learning, known as cooperative work experience or CWE. Through this combination, you earn college credits as you apply classroom instruction and professional behaviors to real life situations. The core coursework of OST is found in this worksite learning, which is designed to meet industry standards and expose you to authentic work conditions.

You will spend between 12 and 40 hours per week, depending on your schedule and other commitments, working at the training site to gain specific skills and a broad understanding of your chosen career field. You also begin to develop a network of professional contacts that might lead to full-time job opportunities after graduation from the program.

While you are training, your supervisor can evaluate your skill level and fit within the company, with no long-term commitment, when determining future staffing needs. Many employers decide to hire their CWE student after the experience because he or she has proven to be a valuable member of the team. Here are just a few examples of training goals:

What does OST require?

The program requires a minimum of 17 general education credits, 1 seminar credit, and 18 CWE credits training directly at a worksite as an intern (each CWE credit equals 33 clock hours). Plans are flexible and designed to meet student needs and schedules.  See the OST Advising Guide for more detailed information.

When can I get started?

OST is a continuous enrollment program. Call Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to make an OST orientation appointment. You will be encouraged to take a placement test prior to your orientation date.Call 956-7027 in Josephine County.

What is the OST Orientation?

The goal of the orientation is to help you determine whether the educational track of OST is the right one for you. OST orientations are conducted in small groups or individually, depending on your schedule. The orientation is about one hour and will include information on the OST application process, including labor market research and informational interviews; how the programs works; types and examples of trainings; hours to credit ratios; frequently asked questions; and, of course, your questions.