Thanks to the COVID pandemic and economic downturns, many people have decided that now is the right time to return to school. Whether you are attending to learn a new skill or refresh your current ones, knowing what jobs are in demand could affect your decision.
These industries continue to grow and need skilled employees.
Healthcare
The healthcare industry continues to grow and relies on skilled workers to take care of patients and the latest technology. Because people will always age and get sick, hospitals and patient care facilities will need to provide services to keep them alive and make them well.
Many healthcare education programs provide certificates in just a few months. For example, you can become a phlebotomist or nurse assistant with a short vocational program. Nursing programs require a minimum of two years of education, depending on the type of certification.
Hospitals also need employees for food, cleaning, and technology services. Foodservice and cleaning employees often need training to ensure they are following safe practices, while employees in tech services usually need to know how to repair and maintain a variety of machines. Some tech programs provide certifications in under a year.
Education
Colleges and universities report that they have fewer students studying to be teachers than in past years. As teachers retire from the profession, there aren’t enough new teachers in training to replace them. If you want to become a teacher, you’ll need to earn a four-year degree from an accredited college and pass a state test.
However, you can also enter the education industry as a teacher aid, secretary, or food service professional. These types of jobs have on-the-job training, and they can be just as rewarding but without the challenges that come with managing student behavior, developing lesson plans, and grading papers.
Online education continues to grow. Many online education companies don’t require teacher certifications for people to tutor students or help them improve their language skills. Before you invest in an expensive college degree, explore other options to see how you can help students learn new skills.
Renewable Energy
The renewable energy industry is growing, especially as more people consider adding solar panels and EV charging stations to their homes. More companies need people who can install solar panels. Depending on your role in the process, you might need to become an electrician, which involves a lengthy training process at a vocational school and an apprenticeship.
Other career paths in renewable energy include sales, customer service, and factory jobs. You could learn to drive a hi-lo in just a few months, then become a valuable part of a factory or warehouse that manufactures and sells renewable energy products.
Agriculture and Food
People and pets need to eat, so farms and factories need to provide sustenance. Most jobs in this industry do not require education or certification unless you decide to work in financing, engineering, or a high-tech science field. If you want a high-paying job in agriculture or natural resources, you’ll need at least a four-year degree.
However, if you want to work on machinery or in a processing facility, you might need some on-the-job training or a certificate in engine repair. Truck drivers are needed to move food around the country. You’ll need a special driver’s license to drive a big rig or another specialized vehicle. You can learn to drive at your nearest truck-driving school in a few weeks or months.
Gambling Industry
As more states legalized gambling, casinos need more employees. Working in a casino can be rewarding, especially if you enjoy working with people. Most of the jobs do not require any training unless you want to learn to fix the slot machines or work with the high-tech equipment that entertainers use on stage.
Casinos do need people with management and finance degrees, and you could earn an associate’s degree in business, management, or accounting in two years at your local community college.
Most jobs at casinos have on-the-job training. Casinos need people to deal cards, work in food service, and take care of hotel rooms. The hospitality industry always needs friendly faces who enjoy helping people while they are on vacation.
There are tons of industries looking for people right now – and joining them could be as simple as a community college course. Don’t wait, get started today!