If You're Just Starting Out – Here Are Your 3 Career Paths
If you are just starting out in your career, you have several options to obtain an education that employers are seeking. Choosing an Industry Certification is the fastest way to get credentialed and working — often in just days or weeks — while earning a Degree or attending Technical School gives you the deepest training, the strongest foundation, and the highest long-term earning power in maintenance and skilled trades. All of these paths can lead to excellent-paying jobs in maintenance and skilled trades.
Attend a College or University
Earn an Associate Degree (2 years) or Bachelor’s Degree (4 years) in areas such as:
SOME of the Programs include:
✓ Automotive Engineering Technology
✓ Aviation Maintenance Management
✓ Biomedical Equipment Technology
✓ Building Automation & Controls
✓ Construction Management
✓ Diesel Technology / Heavy Equipment Technology
✓ Electrical / Electronics Engineering Technology
✓ Facilities Management
✓ HVAC-R Technology
✓ Industrial Maintenance Technology
✓ Logistics & Supply Chain Management
✓ Manufacturing Engineering Technology
✓ Marine Engineering Technology
✓ Mechanical Engineering Technology
✓ Mechatronics Engineering Technology
✓ Occupational Safety & Environmental Technology
✓ Plumbing & Pipefitting Technology
✓ Quality Assurance Technology
✓ Renewable Energy Technology (Wind & Solar)
✓ Robotics & Automation Engineering Technology
✓ Water / Wastewater Treatment Technology
✓ Welding Engineering Technology
Time: 2–4 years | Financial Aid: Pell Grants & loans available
Attend a Technical / Vocational School or Community College
Earn a Diploma or Certificate (6 months – 2 years) in:
SOME of the Programs include:
✓ Appliance Repair Technology
✓ Automotive Service Technology
✓ Aviation Maintenance Technology (A&P)
✓ Biomedical Equipment Technician
✓ Building Automation & Controls
✓ CNC Machinist / Precision Machining
✓ Commercial Truck Driving (CDL)
✓ Diesel & Heavy Equipment Mechanic
✓ Electrician / Electrical Technology
✓ Elevator Constructor Mechanic
✓ Facilities Maintenance Technician
✓ HVAC-R Technician
✓ Industrial Maintenance / Mechatronics
✓ Locksmithing & Security Technology
✓ Marine Diesel Mechanics
✓ Pest Control Technology
✓ Plumbing & Pipefitting Technology
✓ Robotics & Automation Technology
✓ Solar Energy Technology / Photovoltaic Installer
✓ Water / Wastewater Treatment Operations
✓ Welding Technology
✓ Wind Turbine Technician
Time: 6 months – 2 years | Financial Aid: Pell Grants & loans available
Get an Industry Certification
Through an Association, Company, or Vocational School
Fast, respected credentials you can earn in days to months.
SOME of the Industry Certifications include:
✓ ASE Automobile & Truck Certifications
✓ AWS Certified Welder / Welding Inspector
✓ CompTIA A+ / Network+ / Security+
✓ EPA 608 Refrigerant Handling
✓ FANUC Robotics Certifications
✓ Forklift Operator (Toyota, Crown, Raymond)
✓ NATE HVAC Certifications
✓ NCCER Craft Certifications
✓ NVIDIA-Certified Associate
✓ OSHA 10-Hour & 30-Hour Safety
✓ PMMI Mechatronics Certificates
✓ Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley PLC
✓ Siemens Mechatronic Systems
✓ Six Sigma Yellow & Green Belt
✓ Tesla START Certifications
Time: Days – 6 months
| Path | Time | Examples | Financial |
|---|---|---|---|
| College / University | 2–4 years | AAS Industrial Maintenance BS Engineering Technology |
Pell Grants & loans |
| Technical / Vocational School | 6 months – 2 years | Electrician Certificate HVAC Diploma Diesel Tech Diploma |
Pell Grants & loans |
| Industry Certification via Associations, Government Agencies or Technical/Vocational Schools |
Days – 6 months | OSHA 30 • EPA 608 AWS Welding • CompTIA A+ |
Often employer-paid |