Short-term training

Certificate programs focus on developing skills related to a particular job. They are usually offered at a community college or online, and take between a few weeks up to 18+ months to complete, depending on the program. Costs vary a lot.

Certificates may be earned in many different fields, including healthcare, sales, hospitality, customer service, marketing, data science, and more. 

You can find certificate programs taught in your area or online on the Local Training Finder. To start:

• Enter a keyword for the type of job or training you’re looking for.
• Enter your location to view a list of programs near you.
• Use the filters at left: select "Award or degree" to choose the program length you prefer. Select "Online or in-person" to choose a training format.
• Contact the training provider to ask about financial aid options and how to register.

Microcredentials are online learning programs designed to build very specific skills quickly - from a few hours to a few months. Topics vary from the very specific to more broad, for example using a certain function of Salesforce software, leadership for Human Resources, or classroom management.

Users register for microcredentials directly on the learning platform, and earn digital badges to add to resumes or social media profiles. Some of the leading platforms that offer microcredentials include:

• Coursera, edX, and Academic Earth. All offer free online college classes using video lecture, quizzes, and readings, as well as shorter microcredential programs.
• Udacity provides tech skill courses, check to see if there is a cost for your preferred course.
• Google certificate courses are offered on Coursera.
• Microsoft has their own academy with a wide variety of levels and lengths of courses.
• LinkedIn online skills learning offers online skills courses to enhance employability. Unemployed job seekers may be eligible for certification exam discounts.
• Major universities such as Stanford, Harvard, MIT, and Yale offer free online courses to the public, including microcredentials. Find listings by searching the name of the institution and "free online classes."

A certification is a credential usually related to a type of job, technology, or industry, and may be required to qualify for certain jobs. They are usually earned by passing an exam that demonstrates a certain level of knowledge and skill. Training to prepare for certification exams is usually offered at community colleges or through the organization that sponsors the certification.

Search the Certification Finder for opportunities related to your field. When you select a certification from your results, you'll find details and a website to learn more, find training, and how to register for the certification exam.

There are a lot of free online training sources that offer courses you can take on your own schedule. A wide variety of topics are available, including foreign languages, coding or cybersecurity, health and safety standards, and much more. Typically, you must create a free account to use them, and they may offer a premium version for a fee. Some examples include:

• Code Academy offers free online coding instruction for a variety of computer programs.
• IBM SkillsBuild offers free online courses on topics such as AI, cybersecurity, data analysis and workplace skills. 
• Popular language apps such as Duolingo, Babbel, Busuu, or Memrise provide foreign language instruction in Spanish, Swahili, Japanese, Hindi, Russian, and more. 
• The OSHA Outreach Training Program provides workers with basic and more advanced training about common safety and health hazards on the job.