What is On-the-Job Training?

Specialized training is provided to an employee by an employer to help the employee develop the necessary skill and abilities to perform the job.

The employer is eligible for 50% reimbursement of the employee’s wages during the OJT period to help cover the cost of the training.

Training can be a minimum of 4 weeks and a maximum of up to 13 weeks. The average training plan is 3 months.

Supportive services are offered to each OJT, up to $2,000/per OJT, to assist with training needs and require prior approval.

Who is Eligible?

Individuals are eligible for OJT if they meet the following criteria:

• Businesses (Private Sector – for profits/not for non-profits) physically located in the state of Delaware.
• Employers must be willing to hire for a full-time position (minimum 37.5 hours/week).
• The starting wage for an OJT position is $16.00 per hour (jobs adding commission or tips to a below minimum wage base salary are excluded).
• Hires must be employees and not independent contractors.
• It is expected the new hire will be retained beyond completion of the OJT Training and the training will take place during normal shifts/hours.
• One position per five full-time employees and current employees can not be displaced by the new hire.
• Businesses must comply with state and federal labor laws. If there is a union, there must be union concurrence.

How to Apply:

An Employment Service Representative will be in contact to assist you in completing a job order with items such as job title, qualifications, number of positions to be filled, and desired number of resumes to interview.

Our staff will search resumes to find prequalified candidates based on your requirements and the clients’ basic skills and talents.

What Happens Next?

• Our staff will call and interview candidates to verify that they meet the OJT criteria and are interested in the position.
• We will send the qualified resumes to you so you can select candidates and conduct interviews.
• Once you have selected the person you want to hire, we will work closely with you to develop the training plan and details for the contract prior to the person being hired.
• The contract must be signed before or on the actual start date of your new employee. If there are any changes in the contract during the training period, we must know before the change takes place so we can modify the contract.
• We will work with you on invoicing so that you will be reimbursed quickly. You will be reimbursed as specified on the contract based on actual wages paid.
• We will pay for straight-time hours (no holidays, vacation, or sick pay; only hours worked).

We Want to Make Sure You Are Happy!

We will periodically check in with you and your new employee during the course of the OJT Training Period to see how successful your new employee is and if they are meeting your expectations.

We are available to address any issues and answer any questions that may arise before a problem escalates.

Our goal is to see that the contract is successfully completed and you are ultimately happy with the program!

Employers interested in managing their own job listings with the Division of Employment and Training may do so by creating an account on the Delaware JobLink website.

To list your own job vacancies or to complete your own search for resumes today, go to: https://Joblink.Delaware.Gov

Does this program interest you?

If so, please click the link below to fill out the Interest Form and someone will contact you with the next steps.
On-the-Job Training Interest Form

Contact Information:

Employment & Training Office locations for each of the three counties in Delaware can be found below. Click on each county name below for more information. Hours of operation for all locations are Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

The Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) financially assisted program or activity is an equal opportunity employer/program.