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Short-Term Training

Nearly 70 percent of jobs created in the United States require some level of education or training after high school.1 This postsecondary education includes a range of options other than a four-year college degree, including short-term training programs, certifications, and apprenticeships.

Some short-term programs can be completed in a few months and require less financial commitment than most college degrees. In many cases, the time commitment is also shorter. Some, like programs in health care, can serve as the starting point for more advanced careers.

  1. (Morgan et al., 2018)
  2.  

Short-term training might be a good fit for you if:

  • You want to enter the world of work after high school
  • You have been a stay-at-home caretaker or parent, and you want to enter or re-enter the workforce
  • You want to make a career change

Read about alumni who completed short-term programs.

Hannah (Hipple) Pietri ’17, grew up with a love for culinary arts and being in the kitchen—a passion she shared with her grandmother, that only grew when she enrolled at Milton Hershey School in fifth grade. Originally from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and the only girl among her four brothers, Hannah wanted to carve her own path to success.

 

 

Through the hands-on learning experiences Nate Cunfer ’18 gained from his Auto Tech classes at MHS, Nate took part in a cooperative education program where he worked at an auto mechanic shop. During his senior year, he worked with the mechanics on campus to repair MHS buses and other heavy equipment. More than a year after graduating from high school, Nate took the skills he learned to the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, where he learned how to work on yet another form of transportation—aircraft.

Click on the plus sign next to a career to view information about  jobs that require short-term training. Many of the jobs listed are in high demand. Samples of training programs to prepare for these jobs are included, and there are more options depending on where you live.

Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)

Average Salary in Pennsylvania =  $36,340

Projected Pennsylvania Employment Growth through 2030 = 10%

Required Education:  Certification

Where can I obtain training to become a certified nurse assistant? 

Community College of Philadelphia

Harrisburg Area Community College 

Northampton Community College

Child Development Associate (CDA)

Average Salary in Pennsylvania =  $36,000

Projected Pennsylvania Employment Growth through 2030 = 8%

Required Education:  High School Diploma

Where can I obtain training to become a child development associate? 

Harrisburg Area Community College 

Northampton Community College

Computer User Support Specialist

Average Salary in Pennsylvania = $56,130

Projected Employment Growth in Pennsylvania through 2030 = 10%

Required Education:  Certificate

Where can I obtain training to become computer user support specialist? 

NuPaths (Cofounded by Harrisburg University) 

Electrician

Average Salary in Pennsylvania = $64,170

Projected Employment Growth in Pennsylvania through 2030 = 10%

Required Education:  Vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or associate degree  

Where can I obtain training to become an electrician? 

Harrisburg Area Community College 

IEC Apprenticeship 

Pittsburgh Technical College

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology 

Emergency Medical Technician

Average Salary in Pennsylvania = $34,880

Projected Employment Growth in Pennsylvania through 2030 = 6%

Required Education:  Certification or diploma  

Where can I obtain training to become an EMT? 

Harrisburg Area Community College

Northampton Community College

HVAC Mechanic/Installer

Average Salary in Pennsylvania = $50,860

Projected Employment Growth in Pennsylvania through 2030 = 5%

Required Education:  Vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or associate degree  

Where can I obtain my training to become an HVAC Mechanic/Installer? 

Harrisburg Area Community College 

Pittsburgh Technical College 

 

Machinist

Average Salary in Pennsylvania = $48,320

Projected Employment Growth in Pennsylvania through 2030 = 7%

Required Education:  Vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or associate degree  

Where can I obtain training to become an industrial machinery mechanic? 

Harrisburg Area Community College 

Pennsylvania College of Technology 

Milton Hershey School for Senior Division Students – Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Medical Coding and Billing

Average Salary in Pennsylvania = $45,660

Projected Employment Growth in Pennsylvania through 2030 = 9%

Required Education:  Certification or diploma  

Where can I obtain training to become a medical and coding professional? 

Central Penn College 

Northampton Community College 

Pittsburgh Technical College

Welder

Average Salary in Pennsylvania = $47,360

Projected Employment Growth in Pennsylvania through 2030 = 7%

Required Education:  Certification or diploma  

Where can I obtain training to become a welder? 

Harrisburg Area Community College

Northampton Community College 

Penn College of Technology 

Pitt Technical College 

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

Interested in learning more about short-term training, but you’re not sure how to get started? Please contact Wendy Gillman, Workforce Development Specialist, for assistance.

References:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projection

O*NET Online

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