• Job training programs are great for anyone who wants to change their career.
• Most, if not all, job training programs do not require a degree to enroll in their program.
• These programs provide a cost-effective pathway into technology careers.

In this short guide, we’ll discuss what a job training program is, how to choose one and where to find one.  We’ll also share the best available job training programs.

What Is a Job Training Program?

Job training programs help you build the skills needed to perform a specific job and its functions successfully.  They are a great way for people who want to make a career transition into a new field. Unlike college degree programs that mainly focus on theory and research, job training programs are focused on teaching you the practical skills, applications and knowledge of what would be required for a specific position or career path.  These programs are usually hands-on and offer an immersive experience where you’ll be able to apply what you’ve learned to real-world projects. 

What’s the Goal of Job Training Programs?

The purpose of these programs is to help you become job-ready once you’ve completed the job training program.  These programs will primarily prepare you for entry-level positions in a high demand field.  However, if you have previous work experience and are able to customize your resume to showcase applicable and transferable skills and related experience, you might have a good chance at landing a more senior role. 

In these job training programs, you’ll learn from real world professionals who hold senior level positions and those who have many years of experience in their role. 

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Do You Need a Degree or Diploma to Enroll In a Job Training Program?

Job training programs usually don’t require that you have a minimum education level.  However, there may be some intermediate-level courses that require some background knowledge.  Examples of these programs include technology-related programs like Data Science and Software Engineering where they might require students have a background knowledge in some of the top programming languages.  Some online program providers and schools will detail exactly what you should know prior to enrolling in the program.  This will make it easier for you to determine if you’re qualified.  You should make sure that you understand what the pre-requisites are before you start the program. Lastly, you should determine if you have the necessary skills to excel in the program and follow along with the material. 

If you don’t have a background in the required subject area or you need to learn additional skills before you enroll in a job training program, there’s a very cost-effective way to meet those requirements.  You can easily learn a new subject by taking one of Udemy’s massive course listings.  They are cheap online courses and give you the flexibility to learn on your own time due to the nature of them being self-paced.  You could also check out Coursera’s course listings as well.  Some courses are free, while others have a cost associated with them. 

Where Can You Find Job Training Programs?

You can find job training programs anywhere these days, both online and offline.  This includes any of the following:

• Community Colleges
• Vocational Schools
• 4-year Colleges
• Online program providers such as Udacity, EdX and Coursera
• Coding Bootcamps

How to Choose a Job Training Program? 

As you can see, there are many ways that you can access job training programs.  And the best ways to prepare for a job are through vocational training and certification or certificate programs.  But now you might be wondering how to choose the best job training program.  There are a few things you should consider and questions you should ask before choosing a job training program:

Job placement percentage

Job placements statistics will vary by program and these should be listed on the program page.  If it’s not clear on their website or you would just like to confirm if the numbers are accurate, a great place to get real world information is to pose your question on a Quora board in one of their education discussion boards or career discussion boards. 

Support Services

You want the program you enroll in to offer both academic support services as well as technical support.  Academic support will be useful for the obvious reason that should you need help with your studies, then you’ll have access to a live person who can help guide you.  Technical support will come in handy should you encounter any technical issues during the program. 

Payment Requirements

Some questions you might consider asking include:

• Will I need to pay upfront?
• Can I pay over the period of the program?

If the program gives you the option to pay a one-time payment or to pay monthly, weigh the benefits of paying upfront versus each month.  There’s usually an incentive paying upfront in the form of discounted tuition.  However, just make sure you to complete the program within the time frame allowed.  Otherwise, you’ll end up paying more. 

If you’re using financial aid, ask your financial lender to discuss all of your repayment terms and options ahead of time.

If enrolled in an income share agreement, understand your repayment terms and what’s the minimum salary you’ll need to secure before beginning to pay back your loan.

Learning Format

Is the program self-directed or guided-learning?  Knowing how you learn best will help you determine which type of program will be right for you. 

Time to Complete

All job training programs should include on their website an estimated time to complete the program.  This is based on the average time it takes their students to complete the course.  Make sure you’re able to commit the time required each week to complete the course on time.

What Type of Job Training Programs Are Available?

The most common and lucrative job training programs available today are in the technology, business and marketing fields.  These programs are affordable, shorter than a traditional bachelor’s or master’s degree and have pretty great outcomes in terms of job placement.  And because they are in such high demand, they tend to pay well.  You can find job programs in the following fields:

• Cybersecurity
• Data Analysis
• Data Science
• Digital Marketing
• Front-End Web Development
• Full Stack Web Development
• Graphic Design
• Product Management
• Project Management
• Software Engineering
• UX Web Design

If you’re looking for a career that you can train for quickly and affordably, check out the following top job training programs.

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Top Job Training Programs