Career training programs: What are they and how do they work?
January 19, 2023 – 4 mins
Making the most of your career training program
College can be a great pathway to a fulfilling and lucrative career—but it’s not your only option. If you’re not sure college is for you, that’s okay! There are other possibilities out there. One of the most popular non-college routes for high school graduates is a career training program.
What’s a career training program?
Career training is just what it sounds like. It’s schooling that prepares you for a job in a specific field. It can include professional training or a trade certificate course at a non-degree-granting school.
In fact, a significant portion of high school students enroll in career training after graduation. According to the study, Higher Ambitions: How America Plans for Post-secondary Education, 12% of student said they’re planning to enroll in a career training program (a technical or vocational program, or an intensive training boot camp) after high school. The Department of Education has also launched a new initiative, “Raise the Bar: Unlocking Career Success,” to expand access to high-quality training programs.
Here are just a few examples of careers you can find programs for:
- Automotive mechanic
- Certified bookkeeper
- Certified nursing assistant (CNA)
- Computer programming
- Culinary arts
- Cybersecurity
- Dental assistant
- Electrician
- EMT certification
- HVAC
- Medical assistant
- Personal fitness
- Pharmacy technician
- Plumbing
- Veterinary assistant
How much of a commitment is a career training program?
Career training programs can be a great option because they generally take less time to complete than a traditional 2- or 4-year degree. Some take as little as six months. In some cases, you may earn an initial certificate, followed by on-the-job training through an apprenticeship for a year or more.
Enrolling in a career training program can allow you to try out a career and see if it’s the right fit for you long term. Once you start earning money, you could also work and pursue a 2- or 4-year degree part time, if you wanted—and many students do. Higher Ambitions found that 44% of students planning for career training expect to eventually earn a traditional degree like an Associate’s (11%), Bachelor’s (16%), or Master’s degree and beyond (12%).
How do I pay for a career training program?
One major advantage of career training programs is that they’re generally less expensive than a traditional 4-year degree. Of course, that doesn’t mean we all have the money to pay for them out of pocket. The truth is, only about half of families who say their student plans to pursue higher education actually have money saved for it.
When planning to pay for a career training program, try this approach.
1. Start with money you won’t have to pay back.
Supplement your savings and income by applying for scholarships and grants—that’s money you won’t have to pay back. Do some research about scholarship opportunities for career training students (they’re out there!) Here are just a few free resources to get you started:
- Scholarship Search by Sallie is your new go-to for finding and applying for free money opportunities for school. Best part? You don’t have to register—and you can use filters to narrow down your search based on your background, major, the state you live in, and more.
- A guide to scholarships and grants for vocational students
- Vocational scholarships on the U.S Department of Labor
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2. Next, apply for federal financial aid.
To be eligible for financial aid, you need to fill out the FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Some federal financial aid is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. So don’t wait! Students can fill out the FAFSA® as early as October 1 for the following academic year.
3. Consider a private student loan.
If you still have a financial gap to fill after using your savings and income, and exploring scholarships and federal financial aid, then you might consider a private student loan. Private student loans are offered by banks and credit unions—and some offer specific private student loans for career training students.
NOTE: You can even get a career training student loan.
Private student loans are credit based, which means that the lender will look at how good your credit is—whether you’ve proven that you’ll be able to pay the loan back. Since students haven’t had a lot of time to build up their credit, you may need to apply with a cosigner. This can be a parent, relative, or another creditworthy adult. Their strong credit can improve your chances of being approved.
Before borrowing any student loan, make sure you know when you’re required to start making payments, how much your monthly payment will be, and how long it will take you to repay the loan. And if you don’t understand something, now’s the time to ask.
Choose what works for you
Whether you’re considering career training, college, or something else—it’s okay if you’re not 100% sure right now! Everyone’s different, and what’s right for someone else might not work for you. When you’re ready, set yourself up for success by doing some research and making a plan for how you’ll pay for your higher education, before you begin.
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