Many trades require certification vs degree programs
The number of employment opportunities available with certification range from part-time school bus driving to professional plumbers and welders and a host of other certificate-based opportunities.
Pilots simply have to know where to look to find these opportunities and chances are they are a lot closer to where pilots live than they may have guessed.
Some certifications take a matter of weeks and require no sponsorship or apprenticeship. Other certifications can take years and require levels of supervision.
Local Community Colleges
I know what your thinking, I already have a four-year degree, why would I go back to a community college?
Why? Community Colleges are likely one of the most underutilized educational resources in many cities. They do specialize in associates degrees and educational credits that often transfer to 4-year Colleges and Universities, but they also specialize in Trade Work and Certifications.
These trade-work and certification courses are usually tailored to those who already have collegiate training or may be interested in it at some future date, but for now, are primarily concerned with obtaining a marketable skill to earn money. These courses aren’t tied to a degree program and are designed to get you out the door to make some money.
Scholarships and Grants
It’s not uncommon for states to have scholarship and grant money available to those who have been furloughed or laid off. It is worth checking with the schools financing department.
Medical Certifications
Compensation is tied to the level and depth of training and demand. Medical professionals are without a doubt in demand.
Phlebotomist
Specialize in drawing blood.
Average Pay: 25-30,000$ per year
Available at specialty schools and community colleges. Time to certification ranges from 6 weeks – 4 months depending on the course.
Tuition: 1,000-2,500$ but may be free if eligible.
Dental Assistant
Assist with patient preparation, Dental X-rays, schedule appts and other functions to assist Dentists.
Average Pay: 30-40,000$ per year
Available at specialty schools and community colleges. Time to certification ranges from 6 -9 months depending on the course.
Tuition: 4,500$ but could be eligible for financial assistance.
Electrocardiography Monitor Tech
Electrocardiography Monitor Technician monitors vitals during surgical operations and is by nature more mentally tiring than physically. Pilots naturally fit this bill since monitoring instrumentation for hours each day comes more naturally.
Average Pay: 35,000$ per year or 17$ per hour.
Available at specialty schools and community colleges. Time to certification takes about 11 weeks depending on the course to obtain the certificate.
Tuition: 400$.
Electrocardiography Technician
If you have gotten an EKG you’ve worked with someone with this certificate.
Average Pay: 40,000$ per year or 20$ per hour.
Available at specialty schools and community colleges. Time to certification takes about 6-8 months depending on the course.
Tuition: 2,500$.
EMT
Like any career, there are different levels based on certification. The levels include EMR, EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic.
Average Pay: 30,000$ per year or 15$ per hour but climb higher with more certification.
Available at specialty schools and community colleges. Time to certification takes about 3-11 weeks depending on the course.
Tuition: 500$.
CNA (Certified Nurse Aid), LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse)
The levels in nursing include CNA, LPN, RN, and Nurse Practitioner.
CNA – Average Pay: 12$ per hour.
Time to certification takes about 6+ weeks depending on the course and how they combine the labs.
CNA -Tuition: 1,500$.
LPN – Average Pay: 22$ per hour, 47,000$ per year.
Time to licensure takes about 12 months depending on the course.
LPN -Tuition: 4,000$ at a local community school. It could be much higher depending on the school, U.S. average is around 10,000$.
Technology
A+ Certification
An entry-level computer repair certification for repairing or modifying home computers. It allows holders to apply for jobs online as a help desk specialist, computer repair, and technical support.
Average Entry level Pay: 40,000$ per year
Available at specialty schools and community colleges. Time to certification is roughly 10-12 weeks depending on the course.
Tuition: 1,200$.
Auto Cad Draftsman Certificate
An entry-level start to draftsman and design.
Average Entry level Pay: 36,000$ per year
Available at specialty schools and community colleges. Time to certification is roughly 4-5 weeks depending on the course.
Tuition: 1,600$.
Automotive Technician Certificate
Entry-level automotive certification. There are many different tests depending on the focus, as they increase in complexity and focus. Certifications also have an experience component.
Average Pay: 30,000$ per year or 15 per hour. This number can increase with additional certifications.
Available at specialty schools and community colleges. Time to certification takes about 3-6 months depending on the course and initial certificate.
Tuition: 1,600+$.
Welder
Average Pay: 17-22$ per hour.
Available at specialty schools and community colleges. Time to certification takes about 6-8 months depending on the courses.
Tuition: 8,500$.
Web Developer/ Designer
Web developers build websites while web designers
Designer – Average Pay: < 44,000$
Developer – Average Pay: > 44,000$
Available at specialty schools and community colleges. Time to certification takes about 3-6 months depending on the course.
Tuition: 1,700$ for a designer to 2800 for a developer$.
IT support (Entry Level)
Google IT support professional certificate. 5 part course prepares students for entry-level IT work. It could be wise to combine this with A+ certification.
Average starting Pay: 52,000$ per year
Available at specialty schools and community colleges. Time to certification is about 7 months depending on the course.
Tuition: 1,000$.
Other Certificates
CDL
Commercial Drivers Licenses if properly endorsed can be used on wide-ranging applications. This could include interstate transport to even a School Bus driver. Often school districts or companies will pay for applicants to get their CDL.
Average Entry-level Pay: 35,000-50,000$ per year depending on the job
Available at specialty schools and community colleges. Time to certification is roughly 7-15 weeks depending on the course.
Loan Officer
If you have purchased a house with credit, you’ve talked with a mortgage broker. Many banks require their loan officers to have a four-year degree but the certification process does not take long.
Average Pay: 46,000$ per year depending on the job
Available at specialty schools. Courses are 20-23 hours.
Personal Trainer
Develop fitness/health plans and goals for clients.
Average Pay: 19,000$ per year. This is extremely varied.
Available at specialty schools and community colleges. Time to certification takes about 4 weeks depending on the course and initial certificate.
Tuition: 1,400+$.
Massage Therapist
Average Pay: 38,000$ per year.
Available at specialty schools and community colleges. Time to certification takes 9+ months depending on the courses.
Tuition: 2,500$.
Insurance Agent
Having a four-year degree certainly helps, but most states only require passing the licensing examinations. There are exams tied to each insurance specialty. For example, personal, pubic will be different. A producer and an adjuster will also be different.
Average Entry Pay: 38,000$ per year. Tied closely to the type and insurance company.
Prep classes available at specialty schools. Time to certification takes just a few weeks depending on the number of courses licenses.
Tuition: 300$.
School Teacher
If you have a Bachelors’s degree many states and schools offer accelerated certification programs to become school teachers.
Entry Level Pay: $36,000
Available at specialty schools and community colleges. Time to certification takes 6 months to a year depending on the course, followed by an internship(paid or unpaid).
Tuition: 4,500$ but may qualify for state grants and funding.
Realtor
If you have a passion for people and property this might be your thing.
Average starting Pay in the first year: 45,000$ – Pay is based on average commission.
Licensing requirements are different depending on the state. Course range from 8 weeks to 6 months depending on the intensity of study. Your first year after completion of the test will need to be sponsored by a Broker, who will take a portion of your commission.
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