by Roy Jacobs

Created on: January 19, 2009   Last Updated: March 17, 2009

The job market continues to shrink and there are no immediate signs that things will improve significantly any time soon. However, according to statistics form the US Census Bureau, the number of graduates from both High Schools and 4-year colleges has continuously increased almost yearly since 1940. This discord has forced many to become proactive in etching out a competitive advantage. Among the primary strategies to enhance marketability is to improve ones skill set through career college certification.

The Career College Association defines a career college as "a post-secondary institution that provides professional and technical, career-specific educational programs". There are over 200 career colleges throughout the country. This is matched by an equally diverse range of fields available to choose from. These include technology, business, hospitality, health-care, legal, communications and art related disciplines. Many offer on-line programs which preclude the need for physical relocation. They often also have flexible schedules, ideal for those with family and other commitments.

So why go the extra mile? The obvious answer is economics. As the job market continues to shrink, additional qualifications will often equate to greater job prospects for those job-hunting and well as job security for those employed. High school graduates often lack adequate training for many skill-specific jobs. Also, traditional degrees are oftentimes too generic to be of immediate use in the workplace. As a result Career College programs help to fill a vital gap as they are geared to training persons in particular skills and this is what employers need in terms of relevant human capital. It therefore places potential or present employees at a competitive advantage, bolstering their chances of employment and promotion.

However, the benefits of a career college certification, goes far beyond immediate economic considerations. For many they open the door to other forms of career advancement. Many persons find themselves stuck in their present field with very little, if any, prospects of upward mobility. Gaining alternative qualifications can often open up new areas within your overall field. This is turn may eventually take you beyond the reach of competitors. In addition, many persons desire a total career change. Again, career colleges cater to these markets because of the often shorter and flexible structure of their programs. Present employees can gradually acquire the necessary education for an alternative career while remaining gainfully employed.

As the job market becomes more specialized and particularly during economic downturns, highly skilled labor will become increasingly valuable. It is therefore not surprising that the trends of the U. S. Department of Education are favourable for career college enrollments as their certifications are pivotal to the career advancement of so many.

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