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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 =  $32,260

Projected Pennsylvania Job Openings through 2028 = 87,710

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

Computer User Support Specialist

Average Salary in Pennsylvania = $52,190

Projected National Employment = 210,000+ available jobs per year

Required Education:  Certificate

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

NuPaths (Cofounded by Harrisburg University) 

Electrician

Average Salary in Pennsylvania = $63,380

Projected Employment in Pennsylvania by 2028 = 24,840, 7.2% growth

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 2021 = 36,930

Projected Growth 2020-2030 = 11% (faster than average)

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 = $52,490

Projected Employment in Pennsylvania by 2028 = 18,460, 8.9% growth from 2022

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 

 

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

Average Salary in Pennsylvania = $55,630

Projected Employment in Pennsylvania by 2028 = 17,740, 8.4% growth from 2022

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 – Pre-Apprenticeship

Medical Coding and Billing

Average National Salary = $44,090

Projected Job Openings in Pennsylvania through 2028 = 33,180

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 National Salary = $44,190

Projected National Job Openings (2020-2030) = 49,200

Required Education:  Certification or diploma  

Where can I obtain training to become a welder? 

Harrisburg Area Community College 

Thaddeus Stevens 

Northampton Community College 

Penn College of Technology 

Pitt Technical College 

Interested in learning more about short-term training, but you’re not sure how to get started? Please contact the MHS Career Services Support Specialist for assistance.

References:

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

O*NET Online

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