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It’s common knowledge that degree programs can increase your chances of landing a job with great pay and benefits. But what if you don’t have the money or time to invest in a degree program? Fortunately, we’ve gathered together some of the best certification programs for well-paid jobs that can enhance your career or help move into a new career that could change your life.
A certification program offers training to improve upon current skills or acquire new skills. Certification programs are perfect for those who:
To determine the best certification programs for you, consider the following questions:
Below is a list of 10 in-demand positions and the certification requirements to help you land them.
Many drafters have a two-year or four-year degree or certification in engineering and architectural design. Areas of focus include wastewater, public works, transportation (i.e., bridges and roadways), and more. The majority of drafters have experience working with computer-aided design and drafting (CADD).
Some construction and building inspectors have an associate degree, whereas others have a certificate in construction and building inspection. Inspecting buildings and construction sites to ensure required regulations, laws, and codes are met is the primary responsibility of a construction and building inspector.
Court reporters sit in on trials and court proceedings to transcribe what’s said. They typically work in legislatures and courts and have a minimum of a post-secondary education or certificate from a technical institute or community college.
HVAC and refrigeration professionals work on heating, cooling, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems in offices and homes. HVAC professionals usually complete a certificate or degree program that lasts anywhere from six months to a year or longer.
The primary role of an industrial engineering technician is to support industrial engineers with updating and administering the requirements they must meet for jobs. They support efficient operations of industrial sites. The majority of industrial engineering technicians have an industrial engineering certification or associate degree from a community college or vocational-technical program.
As the title implies, mobile equipment and heavy vehicle mechanics work on and inspect machinery and vehicles used for construction, transportation, farming, business, and more. Mechanics who have completed an associate degree or a one- to two-year certification program are often sought after by organizations that have heavy machinery and vehicles that require maintenance and repair.
Some plumbers and pipefitters secure jobs through a certification program. Some employers require a four- to five-year apprenticeship program on top of a certification program for open positions. Licensure requirements for plumbers and pipe fitters vary by state.
Sheet metal workers install and construct thin sheet metal products. Duties include drilling holes, carrying, welding, soldering, riveting, and marking sheet metal. Sheet metal workers secure certificate programs and apprenticeships for future work.
Surgical technologists support surgeons in hospital operating rooms. They typically complete a surgical technology certification program that can take anywhere from a few months to a couple of years to complete.
Websites and web pages are developed and designed by web developers. Web developers determine how a site looks and handle how it performs, including user capacity and speed. It is common for web developers to either have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree or a web developer certification. Web developers can work for businesses in a variety of industries as well as marketing firms and website development companies.
Some certifications, like CPR, require regular recertification every one to two years. Other certifications do not require recertification. It’s up to you to determine which certifications you need to recertify and which ones you do not.
