Column: The Focused Student: Where can you learn a trade?
Last month we talked about the option of occupations that don’t necessarily require a college degree. So where do you find programs to learn the skills needed for these occupations?
Lots of places. How you learn a vocation depends in part on what there is to learn, in part on how you best learn and in part on personal circumstances such as finances.
In many cases there are multiple ways to get to the same job spot. One route is via traditional educational institutions, both public and private. California community colleges offer programs that lead to certifications in a wide variety of fields, from welding to nursing and finance to food science. This option gives students an opportunity to not only learn a vocation but also deepen their general education, which yields many benefits socially and professionally.
Many private institutions offer training in specific areas, such as health sciences or computer sciences. These programs tend to be less like college and more intensively focused on the career training goal. They are also a more expensive option in almost every case.
Another route is a certification program through business or trade associations. Some offer programs, both in person and online, that enable a person to acquire the skills that will make them employable. Software development, public safety and many other professions can be learned in whole or part this way, often supplemented by on-the-job training.
Some vocations require state or federal licensure, such as beauticians, barbers, financial advisers, real estate agents, aircraft dispatchers, trucking and many others. In California, more than 200 occupations are licensed, from tree trimmers to contractors. An online search will reveal both the requirements for being licensed and often links to options for training.
And finally, there are variations of on-the-job training, ranging from informal mentorships and “learn by doing” to formal trade apprenticeships. The latter is quite common in the building trades, for example. I know several people who wound up in the wine trade, having started at the farm level and learned their way up. Another friend picked up the business of wholesaling semiprecious stones from a dealer because he showed passion and interest for the business.
There are so many skill areas we have not even mentioned such as television/film technicians, music technicians, criminal justice jobs and more. To get an idea of the cornucopia of possibilities offered locally, just go to the website of any nearby California community college. Check two or three — their offerings vary, with many offering one-of-a-kind programs for which they become quite well known.
Success can be achieved in many ways. It is very important that students feel they have the option to explore all the possibilities. Most students will lead happier, more productive and more financially successful lives if allowed to pursue the post-high-school educational path that is a natural fit with their interests, inclinations and abilities.
Passion and commitment count. Supporting and nurturing that is our most important role as parents.
ROBERT FRANK is the executive director of the Hillside School and Learning Center in La Cañada. He holds a master’s of science degree in special education and has more than 40 years of teaching experience. His column appears on the last Thursday of each month. He can be reached at frank@hillsideforsuccess.org.
