You can get all of this without the need for a traditional four-year degree and a huge student loan.
Even better is that certification, taken online from the comfort of home or elsewhere, is becoming easier than ever.
From electrical and HVAC to plumbing, welding, and auto repair, online credential programs and digital learning platforms are lowering the cost of vocational training, increasing accessibility, and making it more flexible.
Whether you’re a recent high school grad, someone just entering the workforce, or a professional interested in career change, online certifications can be a great option.
Here are five compelling reasons online certifications are opening the door to trade careers.
1. They Provide an Easier Gateway to the Trades
Online certifications don’t dumb down training. They make access to jobs in the trades easier. It’s not always easy for people to physically attend traditional trade schools. Doing so might mean having to hire a babysitter, commute, and spend too much time away from home and daily duties and responsibilities.
With the freedom of studying at your own pace, you can acquire trade-related skills while employed or balancing other things like family and other obligations. Some courses even permit you to study at your own learning speed, which will allow you to earn a certification within weeks rather than months or years. In fact, it’s possible to earn a certification even faster. You can, for instance, earn a forklift certification in a day.
Online certification is a great option for people who want to take the next step career-wise without shouldering massive debt or disrupting their lives. It’s clear that online learning is here to stay.
2. They Reduce the Barriers of Entry
One of the largest turn-offs to any form of career training is the expense. Old-fashioned trade schools don’t cost as much as post-secondary institutions offering three- and four-year degrees. But the costs can still add up.
Enter online learning. With online certifications, you can get trade skills without the markup. Online certifications are reasonably priced and won’t take forever to complete.
Reducing the barrier of entry, online certificates are opening up trade careers for all segments of society and addressing the skilled labor shortage across America.
3. They Can Be Used as a Launching Point for Apprenticeships
Being certified online isn't merely a prelude to working in a trade job. It can be a way of putting your skills as a candidate for coveted apprenticeships, which are typically necessary for hands-on work such as plumbing, electrical repair, or welding.
Apprenticeship programs are competitive, and showing that you’ve already completed relevant coursework or certifications demonstrates initiative and commitment. Some trade unions and employers even partner with online training providers to pre-train their apprentices or help them pass required entrance exams.
By getting an online certificate in the first place, you stand a good chance of establishing the foundational skills needed to stand out among a pool of qualified candidates.
4. They Open Up Career Opportunities and Salary Potential
Once certified in a specialty area, it is easier to add additional skill sets and cross-train into related, ancillary specialties or careers. A certified HVAC technician, for example, can specialize further by becoming certified in solar energy systems, commercial refrigeration, or smart building technology. All this can enhance your value as a job applicant.
The internet provides you with the option of adding to your skillset without your life having to revolve around going to school full-time.
If you're starting out or looking to upgrade skills you've already learned, don't dismiss the power of an online certification in the trades. It could be your ticket to a new job.
