Don't ask employers to train new workers for anything other than entry-level jobs. I've been in that position before, and we steered clear of that because there is no effective way to keep these people from going to work for your competitors.
“Don’t ask employers to train new workers for anything other than entry-level jobs.” What you say makes *some* sense, but OTOH if you don’t have any other options then you pretty much HAVE to train them and simply treat (and pay) them in such a manner that they *don’t* go to competitors. It’s only fair, since in many cases workers have to face the reality that they could be let go even if they were doing a fine job, just because a competitor bought and consolidated their employer. The risk should cut both ways.
I, for one, think loyalty is something that will occur, but only if it’s shown to the employee. In an ‘employment at will’ state, and with an employer that has zero loyalty, of course employees will go elsewhere if not properly compensated.
In all, OJT is fine, it worked well for a long time, it’s the culture of no loyalty that is the problem.