Trade & Vocational Schools Certificates, Licenses & Associates Degree

Skipping the “4 year college” Many people who do not complete 4 years of college are still able to hold high earning jobs. After high school many people enroll themselves into trade or vocational schools to earn: Certificates – nondegree awards for completing an educational program of study. These show that a worker has attained competency in an occupation. Schools or professional or industry organizations issue certificates. Licenses – are required to practice in certain occupations. They are based on professional certification standards. States or other governments issue licenses.

Areas of interest Trade/ Industrial/ Construction Precision Production Business & Marketing Sciences Transportation/ Material Moving Maintenance/repair workers Automotive technicians Mechanics Heating/air conditioning Refrigeration mechanics Motorboat mechanics Service technicians Home entertainment equipment installers Electrical installers Carpenters Plumbers Pipefitters Steamfitters Electricians Elevator installers Segmental pavers Stonemasons Boilermakers Machinists Welders Cutters Solderers Brazers Machine tool operator Machine tool setter Patternmakers Gas plant operators Model makers Jewelers Claims adjustors Examiners Investigators Industrial production managers Property managers Real estate managers Community association managers Farm products buyer & purchasing agent Medical or legal secretary Assessors Tax preparer Ship engineers Crane & tower operators Motorboat operators Ship mate Boat mate Barge mate Transportation vehicle inspector Equipment inspector Systems inspector

Areas of interest Health Occupations Public Safety & Security Technology/ Engineering Personal & Culinary Services Nurses Medical assistants Pharmacy technicians Phlebotomists Home health aides Dispensing opticians Endoscopy technicians Medical equipment preparers Diagnostic medical sonographers Police Officers Sheriff Officers Correctional Officers Jailers Firefighters Detectives/criminal investigators Fire inspectors Surveillance officers Lifeguards Ski patrol Bailiff Computer support specialist Computer programmers Information security analysts Web developers Computer network architects Security analysis Network/computer system administrator Computer systems analysts System software developers Geospacial information scientist & technologists Electrical drafter Civil engineering technicians Electromechanical technicians Surveying/mapping technicians Electromechanical engineering technologist Personal care aides Fitness trainers Aerobic instructors Childcare workers Hairdressers Hairstylist Cosmetologists Skincare Specialists Private cooks Barbers Theatrical/performance makeup artists

2014-2024 Occupations with the most job openings (Riverside/San Bernardino) Title Openings Median Hourly Median Annually Entry Edu. Level Heavy & Tractor Trailer Truck Drivers 10K $22.75 $47K Postsecondary Non-degree award Supervisors of office and Admin. Support workers 4K $25.71 $53K High school diploma Sales reps: wholesale, manufacturing, technical, science $26.84 $55K Licensed nurse 3K $22.66 Electrician $27.22 $56K Carpenters 8K $21.91 $45K Maintenance & repair workers $18.16 $37K Maintenance workers with machinery Est. 1K by 2024 $19.72 $41K Industrial Machinery Mechanics Est. 2.5 K by 2024 $24.25 $50K

2014-2024 Occupations with the most job openings (Riverside/San Bernardino) Title Openings Median Hourly Median Annually Entry Edu. Level Reinforcing Iron & Rebar Workers Est. 1.5K by 2024 $32.57 $67K High school diploma Glaziers Est. 930 by 2024 $19.26 $40K Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration mechanics and installers Est. 4K by 2024 $22.95 $47K Postsecondary Non-degree award Paving, surfacing, tamping equipment operators Est. 860 by 2024 $40.49 $84K Structural Iron and Steel Workers Est. 1300 by $35.14 $73K Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters Est. 5K by 2024 $24.22 $50K First-line Supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers Est. 6K by 2024 $32.47

Other occupations that require a certification or license Title Median Annually Vet Assistants/laboratory animal caretakers $22K Radiologic technologists/technicians $55K Childcare workers $19K Fitness Trainers $31K Correctional Officers/Jailers $38K Detectives/Investigators $71K General maintenance/repair workers $35K Telecommunications equipment installer $53K Electromechanical equipment assembler Tool and die makers $46K Procurement clerks $37K Industrial production manager $88K Architectural/Civil Drafters $47K Engineering technicians $58K

Other occupations that require a certification or license Title Median Annually Computer support specialist $47K Computer occupations $79K Helpers of pipe layers, plumbers, steamfitters $27K Pipe layers, plumbers, steamfitters Automotive and watercraft service attendants $19K First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving machine and vehicle operators $52K Teacher assistants $24K Dental hygienists $71K Paralegals and legal assistants $48K

I only need a High school diploma??? Yes, for some careers Getting a certification, license or even a college degree can push your pay scale up!

How do I find out what I need to get? Step 1 – Find out what is typically required to get a job in the occupation you hope to enter. Private for-profit schools and public community colleges award most certificates. Step 2 – Find a school/program that offers this accreditation and research it! Compare cost and make sure that this school has a good reputation and is accredited! Any school can be accredited, but only legitimate ones are accredited by valid, independent, third-party organizations. Check: U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Step 3 – Enroll yourself

Websites to check out Education, outlook, wage and more info about occupations: https://www.bls.gov/ Search for certificate or other programs that take less than 2 years: https://www.careeronestop.org Explore careers and see relevant credentials in single occupational reports: https://www.mynextmove.org/ Find community colleges that offer 2-year certifications: https://www.aacc.nche.edu/ To check the accreditation of a school: https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/