Employers are making changes to the educational requirements for many of the positions they hire to fill, so this impacts the skill sets requirements that job candidates must bring to the interview in order to land the position they desire. When employment website ZipRecruiter surveyed 2,000 employers in 2023, it found 72% valued employees’ skills more than formal degrees. Among the employers surveyed, 45% also had eliminated degree requirements for some positions within the last year.
The growing emphasis on employees’ skills and abilities places a spotlight on the role of career training programs in preparing job seekers for a wide range of careers. To help fill this market demand, Fortis Colleges and Institutes offers a variety of vocational and healthcare career training programs. An education at Fortic can help students acquire the skills in diverse fields in medical and dental healthcare, to skilled trades such as HVAC and welding, to commercial truck driving. With hands-on training in these programs, you can establish the foundation for a variety of rewarding careers.
Anyone who may be taking the first step on a career path, or who is considering a career change, can benefit from exploring programs in career training and what they entail.
What Are Career Training Programs?
Those who complete career training programs receive academic instruction and technical training that can be put to use in specific occupations. In addition to earning non-degree credentials or an associate degree, students in programs focused on career training also gain the knowledge to take certification or licensing exams in their chosen professions.
Certain features of career training programs enable students to gain a sound education in the fields they want to pursue. For example, these programs:
- Focus on offering relevant, real-world instruction
- Challenge students to expand their ways of thinking and develop problem-solving abilities
- Provide engaging instruction that sparks students’ interest and connects them with targeted subject material
While career training programs are important to individuals who are seeking career growth, they also are vital to our country as a whole. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, these programs are a key component in achieving economic growth and addressing shortages in our workforce.
Types of Career Training Programs
Career training is available in a broad array of employment areas, such as:
- Dentistry. Enrolling in a training program to become a dental hygienist or dental assistant is a great way to enter the dental field. In addition to working in dental offices, dental hygienists and dental assistants can work in an array of settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, and public health organizations.
- Healthcare. Working in healthcare can be extremely rewarding. Students can enroll in specific training programs to enter careers in fields such as medical assisting, medical coding, or medical office administration. They also can pursue training to become pharmacy technicians or laboratory technicians.
- Nursing. With our healthcare system experiencing a nationwide nursing shortage, career training programs focused on nursing are very attractive. Training programs are available for students to become licensed practical nurses, or to earn associate degrees and become registered nurses, both of which are great ways to enter nursing practice.
- Medical technology. Students who want to specialize in the technology associated with healthcare can enroll in a wide range of medical technology career programs. For example, they can complete career training programs focused on surgery technology, radiologic technology, or sterile instrument processing.
- Skilled trades. Completing a training program in a skill trade is a good way to acquire the expertise to work in a variety of fields. For example, students can focus on gaining the knowledge and skills to work in electrical trades; welding; or heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration.
- Commercial driving. Learning commercial truck driving can enable job seekers to enter a growing field. Career training programs in this area provide students with the skills to drive a tractor trailer and earn a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Becoming a commercial driver comes with the ability to work at the local, regional, or national level.
Beauty and wellness. Cosmetology has long been a popular type of career training program, but students also can enroll in programs that focus on fields such as massage therapy. After completing these programs, students can enter professions that offer scheduling flexibility, the opportunity to help others, and full or part-time employment
6 Career Training. Program Benefits
The benefits associated with completing career training programs make them a compelling choice for individuals who aspire to work in a specific field. Examples of those benefits are highlighted below.
1. Career Training Programs Are Shorter and Less Expensive Than Bachelor’s Degree Programs
The length of career training programs can vary, but students usually can complete them in one to two years. This is significantly shorter than the four-year time frame typically associated with earning a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, the cost of tuition for a program in career training is usually less than that of a bachelor’s degree.
2. Students in Career Training Programs Can Enter the Workforce Quickly
Because they can complete their education more quickly, students who complete career training programs can enter the workforce and begin using their skills sooner than students who pursue bachelor’s degrees. This also enables students in career training programs to start earning a full-time salary in their chosen fields more quickly.
3. Career Training Programs Concentrate on In-Demand Careers
Pursuing career training programs can enable students to focus their education on in-demand fields such as nursing, electrical trades, or commercial driving. Securing employment is a major goal for most students, so the ability to pursue careers for which employers are actively hiring can make programs for career training appealing.
4. Career Training Programs Offer Students Individualized Attention
In many cases, classes within career training programs are smaller than college classes, so students can experience more individualized attention from their instructors. This can be particularly important in hands-on learning and in acquiring the specific skills to perform a job.
5. Students Can Build Professional Networks Through Career Training Programs
In getting to know their instructors and fellow students, those who enroll in career training programs have the opportunity to start building professional networks that can be valuable for future career growth.
6. Career Training Programs Are Focused
Career training programs are great for students who know the careers they want to pursue, and who want to concentrate on acquiring the knowledge and skills to enter those careers. Students in these programs typically are not required to enroll in courses that are not directly related to their fields of interest.
Career Training Programs Can Pave the Way to Fulfilling Jobs
Completing a career training program is a great way to acquire the expertise to pursue a wide variety of satisfying careers in areas ranging from healthcare to skilled trades. If you have an interest in enrolling in such a program, explore the Fortis career training programs to learn how they can help you achieve your goals. Offering training in everything from nursing, to welding, to commercial truck driving, Fortis has an extensive selection of career training programs that appeal to a variety of interests.
Start moving along your career path today.
Recommended Readings
Benefits of Trade School: Why a Hands-on Skilled Trades Career Might be a Good Fit
Five Tips to Help Juggle School, Work and Family
Signs You Need a Career Change