Training and education are critical tools to make you more marketable to employers. Over the next decade, two-thirds of all jobs will require at least some education beyond a high school diploma. Industry-recognized credentials, certificates, licenses, and Associate Degrees are becoming the new minimum standard to qualify for jobs. To help you stay competitive, the Commonwealth offers a variety of opportunities for job seekers to obtain the education and skills needed for good-paying jobs and careers.
Choosing the Right Type of Training
The first step is to identify your job or career goal. Do you want to advance in your current occupation or do you want to change careers? What current skills and education do you have? What skills do you need to get where you want to go?
One of the best ways to answer these questions is through an assessment. The MassHire Career Centers across Massachusetts offer several assessment tools that can help you identify your skills and interests. At the MassHire Career Centers, you can also learn about job openings and how you can prepare for the job you want. To find a MassHire Career Center near you, visit www.mass.gov/careercenters.
Types of Training and Continuing Education Programs
Community colleges and technical institutes provide intensive training and include advanced math and science courses. Both award associate degrees or certificates upon completion, and have alumni in the field that can often provide access to jobs for their graduates. The key difference is that credit for courses taken at community colleges is often transferable to other colleges and universities.
Post-secondary vocational programs teach a specialized skill or trade in a relatively short time. Programs are hands-on, flexible, day or evening classes that range from several months to a couple of years. Good programs use modern, state-of-the-art equipment, have certified instructors with related work experience, and provide job placement assistance.
Apprenticeships allow you to learn a skilled trade and gain valuable, hands on work experience at the same time. Those who complete apprenticeship programs qualify for good-paying jobs in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, general construction and many of the new technology fields. Most apprenticeship sponsors require applicants to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma.
Online learning is the most flexible form of training, letting you control where and usually when the training takes place. Many community colleges offer a wide range of online courses leading to college credits or industry-recognized certificates.
Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) training programs are available through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Courses are often offered through Community-Based Organizations, public schools, or local training providers. Eligible individuals can learn more about these courses by speaking with a career counselor at the MassHire Career Centers.
Many of the One-Stop Career Centers also offer onsite computer training programs. The programs start with entry-level courses, such as Basic Computer Skills, Using A Mouse, and Keyboard Skills and then advance to the full Microsoft Office Suite Training package.
Finding a School or Program
Once you’ve decided what type of training program works for you, you’ll need to find a school or organization that offers this program. On the right you’ll find some helpful tools to assist you in making this important choice. If you need additional help selecting a school, visit your nearest MassHire Career Center.
Researching Schools
Finding a program that's right for you can take time and effort. Here are a few pointers from the Better Business Bureau to guide you in your search.
- Obtain catalogs or bulletins from several schools that offer the training you are seeking. Is the school accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education? Licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education?
- Be suspicious if a school guarantees your job placement or makes promises about how much money you will make. An accredited school recognized by the U.S. Department of Education cannot legally make such guarantees. They can, however, provide you with written statistics on past graduates and their jobs, average wage upon graduation, and employers.
- Visit the school and inspect its facilities. Consider sitting in on a class. Are the facilities and equipment the same as described in the school's brochures and catalogs?
- As you pursue your approved training, keep in mind cost of living expenses in addition to published costs of tuition, supplies, and fees.
- Know the requirements for and terms of the financial aid program. If you don't understand the terms, ask for an explanation. Get the facts about the institution backing the loans, grants, or work-study programs; how and when funds are dispersed; and how loans are repaid.