Explore articles tagged with "certifications" to find relevant resources about trade education and career development.
16 articles found
We pulled the federal admissions data on every U.S. institution that tops out below a bachelor's degree. Nearly 90% are open admission. Among the selective minority, only 31% require a GPA — but 55% require an aptitude test. Here's what trade school admissions actually screens for, and the one place a weak transcript still costs you.
A realistic, BLS-sourced guide to the skilled trade careers with the shortest training paths — from 3-week CDL programs to 12-month surgical tech certificates — with honest tradeoffs on ceiling pay, licensing, and the difference between finishing class and being allowed to work alone.
A practical guide to EPA Section 608 — the federally-mandated refrigerant handling certification — covering Type I, II, III, and Universal in plain language: what each Type lets you legally work on, the 70% pass threshold, the proctored-Core rule for Universal, where to test (ESCO, Mainstream, RSES), what it costs, and why it does not expire.
A practical guide to EVITP — the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program — for working electricians and apprentices: what the certification is, who can sit for it, what it costs, why federal NEVI funding has made it a near-requirement on charger projects, and the realistic pay delta over a generalist electrician.
Low voltage technicians install the systems that run smart buildings, hospitals, data centers, and homes — security cameras, fiber networks, fire alarms, and more. Here's what the work actually involves, what it pays, and the real path to getting in.
How to write a skilled-trade résumé that gets read — what to put in your Certifications & Licenses section, how to list OJT hours, why specific tool names beat generic descriptions, and the cover-letter structure JATCs actually respond to.
A data-driven comparison of the three most common medical coding credentials — AAPC's CPC and AHIMA's CCA and CCS — covering eligibility, exam cost, pass rates, and real 2025 salary differences so you can pick the credential your target employers will actually hire.
A step-by-step guide to becoming a welder — comparing trade school, community college, and apprenticeship paths, the AWS certification structure including D1.1 structural, and what welders earn from first-year helper to pipeline and specialty rates.
A step-by-step guide to becoming an HVAC technician — covering school vs apprenticeship, the EPA Section 608 certification, NATE credentials, state licensure, and what you earn from apprentice to senior tech across the first five years.
A practical step-by-step guide to becoming a medical biller and coder starting from no healthcare background — training paths, choosing between CPC, CCA, and CCS, exam strategy, and removing CPC-A apprentice status to hit full coder pay.
Data-driven guide to smart home and building automation technician careers, covering salary ranges ($55K-$84K+), CEDIA certifications, the $30 billion U.S. professional installation market, and practical steps to break into this growing trade.
Already working in one trade but thinking about a change? Here's how to leverage your existing skills, handle credentials, pay for retraining, and make the switch without starting from scratch.
Essential trade certifications for 2026: cost, time to earn, which employers require them, and how to decide which credentials to pursue first.
A complete guide to aircraft mechanic careers — FAA A&P certification, salary data, the growing technician shortage, and why aviation maintenance is one of the best-paying trades you can enter right now.
Everything you need to know about becoming a surgical technologist — job outlook, salary data, education requirements, CST certification, and why hospitals are competing to hire OR techs.
A step-by-step guide to building a trade career portfolio — what to include, how to go digital, and why 72% of employers now prioritize skills-based hiring over degrees.