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Learn—Maximum Time: 45 Minutes

Read:During the next few weeks, you will explore training options and providers and determine how to pay for your training or education. You will start by evaluating your training options.

1. Identify the training and experience you need.

2. Identify training options in your area.

3. Know who to talk to.

4. Update your self-reliance plan.

1. Identify the Training and Experience You Need

Read:During the last few weeks, you have been researching jobs that could help you improve your self-reliance. During the past week, you should have narrowed it down to one job you would like to focus on.

Activity (5 minutes)

Step 1: Write down the job you have selected:

Step 2: As a group, each take 30 seconds to share your desired job and why you chose it.

To be able to get the job you chose, you need to learn how to do the job. Learning comes through training and experience. Among other factors, companies make their hiring choices based on your level of education and experience.

For example, Arlene has a lot of experience in health care and now wants to work in health care administration. Juan has great construction experience and now wants to become a welder. Their previous experience gives them a good foundation. Adding more specific training or education will help them qualify for the jobs they want.

Discuss:Why are your level of education and type of education important to a company when it is deciding whether to hire you?

Read:Schools, companies, and other institutions offer training for all different types of work. Look for the training that best fits the job you chose.

For example, Arlene will probably find the education she needs at a college or university. Juan will probably find the training he needs at a technical school, through an apprenticeship, or even on the job.

Activity (5 minutes)

Step 1: As a group, take turns reading the information in the following table. If the job you chose is not included in the table, discuss the training that is typically needed for your work.

Step 2: If the typical training is different for your area, discuss those differences as a group and put a check mark by the training you need.

need for training table

For information on education and training options available through the Church Educational System, read pages 72–74 on your own this week.

You may have found from your conversations and research that you need experience as well as training to qualify for your desired job. You may need to take lower-level positions first, perhaps while getting your training, to get a better job later.

Discuss:What kind of experience did you find you need to qualify for the job you want?

2. Identify Training Options in Your Area

Read:Now that you know what type of training is required, it’s time to identify specific providers. For example, Juan found two technical schools and one employer in the area that could help him certify as a welder.

Activity (5 minutes)

Step 1: On the lines below, write the names of at least three schools, businesses, or other organizations that might offer the training you need.

Step 2: Get with your action partner and share the names of the schools or training providers you have identified and why you think they would be good training options.

Where to Get My Training chart

Not all education and training are created equal. Some training programs and schools are better than others. Some programs may be more effective at training students and have higher job placement rates. Some might be difficult to get into, or perhaps many students don’t complete their program. Some schools might be expensive, so you will need to determine if they are worth the cost.

Find an education or training provider that offers the best combination of these factors:

• High job placement rate (quality)

• Likelihood of getting accepted and completing the program or training

• Affordability

For example, Rachel is considering three different schools, as compared in the following table. In her research she has found this information:

school options table

Discuss:Which factors are most important to you when selecting a school or training provider?

3. Know Who to Talk To

Read:The best ways to learn about your training options are to (1) talk with people who work at the schools or training programs and (2) do some research on your own. Many schools and training providers have people who can answer your questions. Contact a person in the organization, express interest in the training, and ask to speak with someone who can answer your questions. It might be helpful to contact people in the following roles:

• Admissions adviser

• Program adviser

• Training manager

• Information desk

• Specific instructors

You can also call the school or training provider, review information on its website, and talk to other people who have been through the program.

Discuss:What other sources could help you get the information you need about a school or training provider?

Read:As you do your research, find answers to specific questions to help you make your decision.

Activity (10 minutes)

Step 1: Pair up with your action partner and take turns role-playing or imagining you are visiting with a school contact to learn more about the program or training you are interested in. One person plays the role of the contact at the school. First introduce yourself by saying something like “Hi, my name is . I am interested in your program. Can I ask you a few questions?”

Step 2: Ask at least three of the questions from the list on page 75. The other partner can make up his or her answers.

Step 3: Switch roles and repeat the activity.

Read:Use the questions in “Evaluating My Training Options” (page 75) when you talk to schools or training providers this week. Be sure to get this information so you can use it in next week’s meeting.

Discuss:What other questions do you think might be helpful to ask?

4. Update Your Self-Reliance Plan

Activity (5 minutes)

Update your self-reliance plan as needed and complete the “My Education Plan” section.

My Self-Reliance Goal (chapter 1)

I will

so that I can .

My Job Plan (chapters 2 and 3)

I compared these three jobs:

The job I chose for me is because of the following things I learned from employers and others about the job realities in my area:

.

My Education Plan

I will research these three training options:

Discuss:What are the most important things you learned in today’s group meeting?