CAREER COMPASS – Closing the Skills Gap: Training for the Jobs of Tomorrow – The American Job Center

The future doesn’t wait, and neither should your career plan. The industries of tomorrow are already hiring today. With the right support, you can be ready to walk through that door. Closing the skills gap this month is about matching demand with opportunity, and helping job seekers bridge the skills divide. That way they can step into roles where growth, stability, and innovation converge.

1. Industries in Demand: Where Jobs Are

To train wisely, you need to aim at sectors that are expanding—not contracting. Some fields showing strong demand across many regions:

Technology / IT & Cybersecurity – As businesses digitize and cyber threats rise, roles such as network administrators, security analysts, and cloud specialists are expanding.
Healthcare / Allied Health – Aging populations, public health needs, and innovation in care delivery drive demand for medical technicians, nursing support, and remote care professionals.
Logistics, Supply Chain & Transportation – E-commerce growth, “just in time” supply chains, and global trade complexity push up demand for supply chain planners, transport managers, and logistics analysts.
Skilled Trades & Infrastructure – Electricians, HVAC technicians, maintenance technicians — these roles remain critical as infrastructure ages and smart buildings proliferate.
Green Energy & Sustainability – Solar installation, energy auditing, renewable systems maintenance, and environmental monitoring are emergent paths as society accelerates decarbonization.

To pick a good target: look locally. Use labor market data, chat with employers through your American Job Center (AJC), and scan “target occupations” lists in your state. In Illinois, for example, WIOA-approved programs must lead toward high-demand occupations. (Illinois workNet)

2. How to Gain the Skills — Fast, Smart, Local

Once you select a target sector, the question becomes: how do you get from where you are now to “employment ready”? Here are key strategies:

Strategy	Why It Works	Things to Watch Out For
Short-term certification / certificate programs	Many can be completed in a few months and teach job-specific skills.	Confirm alignment with industry standards; avoid “pay to certify” traps. (IACC)
Apprenticeships / Earn-while-you-learn models	You gain experience while earning wages.	These programs may have eligibility rules or limited slots. (IDES)
Bootcamps / accelerated cohorts	Intense, focused, timeline-driven.	Make sure curriculum matches employer needs, not just trendy topics.
Micro-credentials & stackable certificates	You can build skills one badge at a time (e.g. foundational → intermediate → specialized).	Check that employers accept the credential or that it stacks toward a larger credential.
Hybrid / online + lab-based learning	Flexibility is key if you have obligations.	You’ll want in-person access or hands-on components for many technical fields.

If you’re in Illinois, you can use the Illinois WorkNet WIOA Approved Training Programs Search to find programs that are regionally certified. (Illinois workNet)

3. The Key Solution: WIOA Scholarships & Support

One of the biggest barriers to retraining is cost. That’s where WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) can help.

WIOA supports workforce development by funding training, job search supports, and career services.
These funds may cover tuition, books, fees, uniforms, and related costs (within program limits).
Training durations can vary (e.g. up to 24 months or according to program needs) depending on region and funding.
To qualify, you typically must meet certain eligibility criteria (e.g. income-based, dislocated worker status, etc.)

Because WIOA is federal law, it’s implemented via local workforce boards, AJCs, and state-level systems.

4. Step-by-Step Process for a Job Seeker

Here’s a recommended roadmap for someone in our audience (mid-career, considering change, or seeking growth) to follow in Month 4:

Self-assessment & goal refining
— Use your AJC’s career assessment tools to identify interests, aptitudes, and barriers.
— Map skills you already have (soft skills, technical basics) that are transferable.
Explore demand-occupation matches
— Use state/local “target occupations” or “in-demand jobs” lists.
— Consult local employers and AJC staff about hiring needs.
Search for WIOA-approved training programs
— Use your state’s WIOA training search tool or Illinois WorkNet (if in Illinois).
— Filter for short-term, intensive, employer-aligned programs.
Meet with an AJC career counselor / planner
— Share your selected options.
— Confirm the training provider is WIOA-eligible.
— Work through the application for ITA / scholarship funding.
Enroll and begin training
— Stick to your schedule.
— Use academic supports, peer groups, tutoring, etc.
Engage with employers / internship / work-based learning
— Use capstone projects or practicum modules to build real experience.
— The more employer contact you gain during training, the smoother the transition.
Plan for next steps and certifications
— Consider stacking additional credentials later.
— Use networking, AJC job search support, and mentor relationships to convert training into gainful employment.

5. Real-World Examples & Certifications (for Inspiration)

Here are some certifications or credentials that are currently in demand (and hence good targets):

HVAC / HVAC technician certification (6–12 month programs)
Medical coding / billing, phlebotomy, EMT / allied health roles
Supply chain / logistics / demand planning credentials (e.g. CPIM)

These examples can guide what kinds of training you and the AJC might target in your area — but local labor market data always beats national trends.

6. Next Steps

If you’re ready to start closing that gap between where you are and where the jobs are:

Ask an AJC staff member today about scholarship-eligible training programs.
Tell them you’re looking for WIOA support and have identified a target occupation (or need help choosing one). They can walk you through eligibility, application, and connecting to approved providers.