What is Short-term Training?

Short-term training options encompass a wide variety of possibilities. Seminars, workshops, continuing education, personal enrichment courses, non-credit and open enrollment courses, college diploma or certificate programs are a few of these options. Generally, short-term training programs can be completed in less than 1 year. However; some could take 1- 2 years. Short-term training is offered through community centers, public and private colleges and universities, private career/vocational schools, licensing agencies, organizations, libraries, adult basic education centers, and the Minnesota Workforce Center system.

Career changers can take programs in many fields through the different public and private schools in Minnesota.
Currently employed professionals can take continuing education courses for careers requiring licensing, certification or to upgrade their skills.
Life-long learners can take a course or program to explore a new hobby or avocation.
Individuals who qualify for Workforce Investment Act funds may be eligible for short-term training.

Short-term training examples

These are some of the careers that you can achieve with short-term training. Link to Areas of Study and their Career descriptions* below:

Areas of Study in Architecture and Construction: (The list below focuses on the design and maintenance of man-made structures. This includes roadways, bridges and (industrial, commercial and residential) buildings).

Custodial Services/Building Maintenance Workers: career description
Construction Trades/Cement Masons: career description
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology/HVAC: career description

Areas of Study in Business, Management and Administration: (The list below focuses on planning and management. It includes the following areas: administrative support, information processing, accounting, human resources and other related management support services).

Areas of Study in Health Science: (The list below focuses on providing diagnostic, therapeutic, informational and environmental services in health care).

Nursing Assisting: career description
Emergency Medical Care: career description
Health Aid/(Trained) Medical Assistant (TMA): career description
Medical Coding and Billing/Medical Records or Health Information Technician: career description

Areas of Study in Human Services:The list below focuses on providing human services (including social and related community services).

Areas of Study in Manufacturing: (The list below focuses on the processing of materials into intermediate or final products, as well as related support activities).

Auto Body Repair/Auto Glass Installers: career description
Automotive and Diesel Technology/Automobile Mechanics: career description
Electrical and Power Transmission/Industrial Mechanic/Stationary Engineers: career description
Machine Tool Technology/Metalworking/Numerical Control Machine Operators: career description
Electrical and Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair/Medical Equipment Repair career description
Engineering Technology/Gas and Oil Plant Operators: career description
Sheet Metal Technology/Metalworking: career description

Miscellaneous:

Review Areas of Study and Careers (source: the U.S. Department of Education's 16 clusters) to learn more about the following:

Fire Science and Firefighting/Fire Fighters: career description
Vehicle and Equipment Operations/ Heavy Truck Drivers: career description
Starting Your Own Business – Using Keyword Search for courses, search for "small business". Also see: Self-employment
Test Preparation - Using Keyword Search for courses enter keywords such as: "test prep" “GED” “GRE” “SAT” “ACT” “LSAT” “GMAT.” Also see: Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs and Admissions Tests.

* Most Areas of Study and their career descriptions contain information on similar studies and careers. Career descriptions also contain a link to “Other titles and keywords for this career.”

To learn more about short-term training

This page contains only a sampling of careers that you can prepare for with short-term training. Schools are constantly creating new training opportunities based on such things as the changing economy, and the need for re-training, continuing education, and personal enrichment courses. Be sure to explore other training opportunities offered by the different Types of Minnesota Schools or using Keyword Search for courses.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education
Page last updated in September 2004.