Career Training

Career Training can mean a few things. Almost all training programs first require that a person has completed a High School education. Young people can earn a high school diploma by finishing high school in the U.S. Adults who have not finished high school in their country or want to earn a high school diploma in the U.S. must pass an exam called the “GED.” All adults 18 years and older who are not already enrolled in a high school can go to a school in their community to receive study help for the GED exam. First, many people need to have very good English reading, writing and listening skills to do well on the GED exam. The local GED program (Option 1 on the next slide) will have professional staff who can make a recommendation for each person if ESL and English classes should be taken before GED classes and exams.

For those who have already completed high school or a GED there are many more options available, but these all also require that a person have high level English reading, writing, listening and sometimes speaking skills. These options include longer-term training like College and many types of short-term trainings, which are sometimes offered by a college. We have listed those options in this Guide into 3 categories: 2 Year Training, 4 Year Training and Other Types of Training. 

We encourage you to review each category to understand the options available. There will be an opportunity to contact each school or training program directly so they can discuss how you can participate in their programs and any requirements that they may have.

​

Each Career Training listed in this guide will take different lengths of time to complete. Each training also has different prices. The GED program offers free classes and sometimes the costs to take the exams can be waived. The other training programs may have scholarships or opportunities for the costs to be reduced or waived. You will have to contact the training provider to find out if you can qualify for financial assistance to attend the training program. 

The good news is that there is more financial help available for people to attend college or training programs. You will need to complete forms and paperwork to prove you need financial assistance. You may also have to take an exam so the school, college or training programs know that you will be able to understand the content and do well in your studies.

All training programs also offer professional staff who can advise you on the steps you must take before, during and after completing a training program. There are also ways to take short tests called “aptitude tests” that can predict if you have the skills and interest to pursue a certain field of study and do well in it.