A growing number of college students are accelerating their entry into the workforce by earning a certificate – a “quick career” credential making students eligible for immediate employment or increasing their marketability to employers.

Get one-on-one help from advisors at (512) 223.7704 or [email protected].

This nationwide trend is reflected at Austin Community College, with a 51 percent increase in credit and non-credit (Continuing Education) certificate earners in the past five years (up to 1,159 in 2011-12). ACC offers more than 100 certificate programs in a variety of credit and Continuing Education areas, including:

• Information technology
• Firefighting
• Culinary arts
• Lineworker technology
• Nurse aide
• Sustainable agriculture (coming fall 2013 to Elgin Campus)

ACC set up a special phone line (512.223.7704) and email ([email protected]) answered by advisors to connect prospective students to information on quick career pathways and how to get started. Information also is available at austincc.edu/training. Fall registration for new students is under way.

Many certificate programs take less than a year to complete, and some can be finished in a few months.

“I was 30 when I went back to school, and I was ready to get into the workforce in a career that would benefit me,” says Adam Henwood, who graduated from ACC with his certificate in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technology. “The certificate program was affordable and taught me everything I needed to know. I got my job the day I graduated, and I make a great living.”

A new report from College Measures, a higher education research group, indicates that first-year earnings of Texas certificate holders are often higher than earnings of graduates with associate or bachelor’s degrees. | Read more

“Certificates are a great pathway into a career, especially for students who need to get into work quickly to support their family,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. “We maintain our high standards while allowing students to focus specifically on their chosen career field. Students can always return to broaden their education and earn an associate degree, and they often do.”

ACC is the primary trainer of the local workforce.

“Austin Community College continues to expand its innovative efforts to meet the region’s dynamic workforce needs,” said Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Andres Alcantar. “ACC continues to build essential associate degree and transferable credit opportunities while offering certificate programs that provide an accelerated option for students to acquire the in-demand skills employers need.”