Six-Month Trade School Training Programs
If you already have a busy schedule full of work and family obligations, you may worry that you don’t have enough time to devote to a trade school course. However, there are several certificate and diploma programs that you can complete in as little as six months.
Course curriculum and program lengths vary across different vocational schools and community colleges. Still, many institutions allow students to earn the following certificates in about six months and qualify for jobs in their chosen fields.
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Veterinary Assistant
What Do Vet Assistants Do?
Becoming a veterinary assistant is an excellent career choice for animal lovers. Vet assistants help veterinarians and vet techs with routine pet care tasks, such as:
- Feeding, bathing, and exercising pets
- Cleaning and disinfecting kennels
- Preparing examination areas in vet clinics and animal hospitals
- Sterilizing surgical equipment and tools
- Restraining animals during examinations
- Completing office tasks like updating pets’ medical records and scheduling appointments
Veterinary Assistant Training
During a NATVA-approved training course, you learn the skills you need to thrive in a veterinary assistant training career. Programs typically offer instruction on standard animal care, workplace requirements for animal hospitals and clinics, and medication administration for pets. Some schools may also provide certification exams for students who want to graduate with an official credential.
How Much Do Vet Assistants Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterinary assistants earn a salary of about $29,780 per year. However, you can sometimes negotiate higher wages if you complete an accredited six-month training program. Obtaining an official certification after finishing your courses can also improve your chances of getting a well-paying veterinary assistant job.
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Emergency Medical Technician
What Do EMTs Do?
While many healthcare certificate courses take about 18 months to complete, you may be able to finish an EMT program in six months, depending on where you enroll. A typical workday for an EMT includes:
- Responding to dispatched 911 calls
- Quickly assessing medical emergencies and providing urgent care and life support by:
- Performing CPR
- Administering first aid
- Clearing patient’s airways and administering oxygen
- Treating minor cuts, burns, and wounds
- Applying bandages to tourniquets to stop or minimize bleeding
- Lifting and transporting patients
- Administering medications for pain management
- Updating hospital staff on patient’s condition during transport
EMT Courses
EMT programs teach students the life support techniques they need for the job. Most classes cover standard urgent care practices and provide hands-on training with medical mannequins and equipment. Your EMT course might also include fundamental EKG tech training and Basic Life Support certification through the American Heart Association or the Red Cross.
How Much Do EMTs Make?
Annual earnings for EMTs in the U.S. stand at about $36,930 per year. However, depending on the particular skills you learn during your training program, you might be able to specialize in providing urgent care for certain types of medical or traumatic conditions. As a result, you could potentially make more than the average EMT earnings.
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Nail Technician
What Do Nail Techs Do?
Creative individuals hoping to work in the cosmetology industry might consider completing a six-month nail technician course. Students in these programs learn the fundamentals of manicuring and pedicuring, including:
- Discussing nail treatments and services based on client’s preferences
- Cleaning, trimming, filing, buffing, and polishing finger and toenails
- Moisturizing and massaging the hands and feet before manicures and pedicures
- Softening and removing rough or calloused skin on the hands and feet
- Applying and removing artificial nails and nail art
- Maintaining a neat and sanitized work area
Nail Tech School
A six-month training program for nail technicians usually involves learning standard nail care techniques, as well as developing your own unique style when it comes to creating and applying nail art. Instructors follow industry-approved curriculums to ensure students are ready to pass their state Board of Cosmetology’s licensing exams and begin their nail tech careers.
How Much Do Nail Techs Make?
Nail technicians earn roughly $29,210 per year, according to reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you complete your training at a reputable, well-known beauty school, you may be able to qualify for higher-paying positions at popular nail salons. Nail tech school graduates who go into business for themselves can set their own rates for their services and typically earn more than the national average.
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Graphic Design
What Do Graphic Designers Do?
A graphic designer uses specialized computer software to create logos, advertisements, marketing materials, and other visual concepts for their clients. When taking on a new project, graphic designers must:
- Meet with the client to discuss the purpose and scope of the design
- Agree on layouts, color palettes, text formats, images, and other style requirements for the project
- Use graphic design software to create visuals to the client’s specifications
- Present designs for approval and make any necessary adjustments before printing or publishing
Graphic Design School
Most graphic design trade school programs teach students to use particular computer programs to create visuals and build their design portfolios, which can help them attract potential clients. You also learn basic marketing techniques that you can use when creating graphics and communication strategies for negotiating your rates and discussing project requirements for each project.
How Much Do Graphic Designers Make?
Although annual salaries for graphic designers in the U.S. vary, people in this profession can sometimes earn about $50,710 per year. Many clients prefer to hire graphic designers who have completed a formal training program, so trade school graduates may be able to charge higher rates for their services.
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Personal Trainer
Got a passion for health and fitness? Take a six-month course to become a personal trainer. These wellness professionals work in gyms, health clubs, and fitness centers, performing duties such as:
- Discussing their client’s health and fitness goals
- Creating workout programs based on their client’s preferences and body types
- Demonstrating proper exercise equipment use
- Motivating clients throughout their workouts
- Suggesting diet and habit changes clients can make to reach their goals
- Tracking each client’s progress and making adjustments to their fitness programs as needed
Personal Trainer Programs
Trade schools with six-month personal trainer courses usually teach students basic human anatomy and physiology, as well as fundamental exercise science and methods for designing effective fitness programs. Some schools also include basic first aid and CPR certification classes so students can learn how to respond to any client accidents and injuries that occur during workouts.
How Much Do Personal Trainers Make?
Typically, personal trainers in the U.S. earn about $40,700 per year. Personal trainers who complete trade school courses might make higher salaries than those who learn their skills through on-the-job training. Freelance trainers with the necessary schooling and qualifications can sometimes charge higher rates than those working at gyms and fitness centers.
Choosing a Six-Month Trade School Program
Since program lengths differ across institutions, you might be able to find schools that offer six-month business, CDL trucking, skilled trades, and even nursing courses. Compare course lengths for your local trade schools to discover which institution has self-paced courses, fast-track programs, or night and weekend classes that allow you to complete your training in six months or less.