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Training and Certifications
Workforce Development
Entry Level Training and Certifications:
Microsoft Certification
- According to Microsoft, with the certification you can make 20% more money, and are 49% more likely to be hired.
- Requires that you pass an exam.
- Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert - Certifications | Microsoft Learn
ITIL Foundation Certification:
- The IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is a set of guiding principles used by IT service professionals to standardize their processes
- Consists of 40 multiple choice questions in 60 minutes with a pass rate of over 65%.Content includes IT services training and management.
- ITIL 4 Foundation- (peoplecert.org)
Google Data Analytics Certification
- Online courses completed in six months, ten hours a week.
- Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate | Coursera
HubSpot Content Marketing Certification
- One 8-hour course.
- Beneficial for personal representation and professional.
- Content Marketing Certification Course - HubSpot Academy
eCornell Digital Marketing Certificate
- Online course through the business school at Cornell University.
- Online Certificates - eCornell
CCMA: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
- Recognizes the completion of basic medical tasks.
- Requirements: High school diploma, one year of a medical practice to be eligible.
- Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Training in as little as 2 weeks at Northeast Medical Institute!
CNA: Certified Nursing Assistant
- Entry level position of someone who works in healthcare.
- Requirements: 75 hours of training, two-part exam
- Certified Nurse's Aide Class (CNA)- Hybrid Self Paced Online (northeastmedicalinstitute.com)
Manufacturing Engineering Certification
- Signifies understanding in certain skills of manufacturing engineering.
- Requirements: Pass an exam, have manufacturing and engineering skills.
- Architecture and Systems Engineering Online Program from MIT | MIT xPRO
Advanced Trainings and Certifications:
CFS: Certified Funds Specialist
- Recognizes a certain level of expertise in mutual funds (investing)
- Requirements: About 50 weeks (2,000 hours) of work experience, a completed set of modules, and a passing grade on the exam.
- Certified Fund Specialist Designation - Institute of Business & Finance (icfs.com)
CFP: Certified Financial Planning
- Fits for the planning style of finance.
- Requirements: 6,000 hours of work experience, bachelor’s degree, pass exam.
- CFP Exam Prep Review Courses & Study Packages (kaplanfinancial.com)
CRM: Certified Risk Manager
- Recognizes the ability to assess the risk and possibly liabilities that companies may face.
- Requirements: A bachelor’s degree, experience in the field, five course modules (150 hours total), and a final exam.
- Risk Management Essentials • RM-10 • PBI Education
- Specialization in certain types of properties such as residential, luxury home, and commercial investment.
- Requirements differ across fields, but most seem to consist of meetings, courses, exams, or interviews.
- All certifications are in addition to a general real estate license.
- Real Estate - eCornell
CCSM: Certified customer service manager
- Demonstrates understanding in service.
- Requirements: Minimum of high school diploma, 2 years of experience, pass an exam, completion of training and course work.
- Customer Service Training Courses & Team Solutions | Dale Carnegie
CSEP: Certified Special Events Professional
- A special events planner, often used in places such as hotels.
- Requirements: Exam, 3-year employment within the force.
- https://omnipear.com/?msclkid=f648e239d40a19b8686384ace4766950
Other Trainings and Certifications:
Mayor’s Youth Employment Program (https://www.stamfordmyep.com/) employs young adults and gives them experience in the workforce. The program connects current high school seniors and juniors in Stamford with various workplaces in Stamford, from hospital to offices. If accepted into the program, students also attend leadership class that prepares the students for finances and future jobs. The program allows for 140 hours of paid work experience in the field of their interest.
Connect: (203) 977-0830, mlappas@stamfordct.gov
State of Connecticut Judicial Branch (Job Shadow Program - CT Judicial Branch) inspires students to discover the world of the judicial system. They have options of online or in person jobs and shadowing sessions, for high school students. They will have the opportunity to understand Judicial Branch careers with a special presentation from a Supreme Court justice. If on site, students will be able to shadow the day to day at a Judicial Branch that is local to them.
Connect: external.affairs@jud.ct.gov
Connecticut’s Children (Connecticut Children's | Internships, Job Shadows and Student Placements (connecticutchildrens.org)) has opportunities for fellowships, internships, and job shadowing for college students entering or exploring the healthcare workforce. Job shadowing can operate many different medical fields that match the student’s interests. The shadowing may include meetings, conferences, and patient check-ins.
Connect: 860.545.9000, studentplacements@connecticutchildrens.org
Stamford Partnership - TechFWD (TechFWD - The Stamford Partnership) takes your digital skills to the next level. A series of online courses with a live instructor will take you through learning the digital skills that are crucial in today’s world. The course includes the fundamentals of Google Apps and will give you access to Google-Certified Experts.
Connect: 203 274 5750, hello@stamfordpartnership.org
Family Centers (Family Centers - Pathways to Employment Growth) has resources which prepare the people of Fairfield County for work in the Healthcare industry, which is one of the largest sectors in all of Connecticut. They can offer training, but also the connection of finding an employer. The program is offered at no cost to residents. These resources are available through a state grant.
Connect: 203-869-4848, djones@familycenters.org
SoundWaters Harbor Corps (https://soundwaters.org/youth-programs/harbor-corps/) can train people to have the skills that marine employers are looking for. There are many unfilled positions regarding the Long Island Sound, which can be easily filled with the correct qualifications. The program is four months long with two main sessions: June and September. There is no cost to participate.
Connect: harborcorps@soundwaters.org
Women’s Mentoring Network (https://wmninc.org/) serves Fairfield County by providing career, educational and personal resources that lead to the economic empowerment of low-income women. The community allows for women to share opportunities with one another. They also have workshops which work through resume building, interview practice, and financial literacy.
Connect: 203-357-1561, tgreenwatson@wmninc.org
Women Back to Work (Current Returnships - Welcome (womenbacktowork.org)) aims to bridge the gap between women, technology, and their opportunities for careers. Backed by the full recruiting resources of an award-winning IT staffing firm, participants are carefully interviewed and screened before being placed into their roles. The returnships are meant for women who are looking into returning to work and have flexible options.
Connect: (408) 907-6400, wbw@akraya.com
Building One Community (Building One Community - (b1c.org)) provides opportunities of integration to immigrants and their families, as well as enrichment. The center has their own workforce development program which focuses on three certification-based industries. This includes Culinary and Catering, Healthcare Skills, and Construction + Landscaping. Once trained, participants have ample help to guide them through the process.
Connect: (203) 674-8585, Info@Building1Community.org
Troops to Teachers (Connecticut Troops to Teachers | TEACH.org) is a program that hopes to reduce veteran unemployment. Veterans are eligible to receive counseling through other veterans, as well as stipends to fund their education. They will also be connected to a position very quickly after their certification. Participants also have individualized support to complete their training.
Connect: dodhra.mc-alex.dssc.mbx.troops-to-teachers@mail.mil
Jobs First Employment Division (Program Details (ct.gov)) can help recipients of the Temporary Family Assistance get jobs by connecting them with resources and training. Determined and dedicated managers assist on the case and offer help from point A to point B by putting job assistance first.
Connect: Individuals need to be referred to the program by DSS
American Job Center (American Job Center Finder | CareerOneStop) is an organization originally implemented through the Workforce Investment Act can help people to find jobs, and complete the necessary training for said jobs with no cost.
Connect: (203) 353-1702
The WorkPlace (About | The WorkPlace) is a corporation who highlights their ability to allow for career progress while also creating a stronger workforce for employers. They serve the people of the Southwestern Connecticut area, having its main location in Bridgeport. They can connect you with national programs, or smaller ones to get you started on your career development.
Connect: (203) 610-8500, info2@workplace.org
Office of Apprenticeship Training (RELATED INSTRUCTION (state.ct.us)) lists a number of different institutions which offer apprenticeship training. Apprenticeship training is paid work-based learning through physical modules within a trade career. These programs may vary in competitiveness and may take one to four years to complete.
Connect: (860) 263-6085, dol.apprenticeship@ct.gov
Connecticut Career Resource Network (Connecticut Career Resource Network) serves as a link between the education community (including teachers, counselors, students, parents, and others) and the workforce community. Its goal is to drive career decision-making by providing resources related to career guidance and decision-making.
Connect: (860) 263-6267, jessy.george@ct.gov
Workforce Alliance (Workforce Alliance) helps in finding residents a job which matches their skill set. Using their partner network, they can prepare and train individuals for open positions in business, healthcare, manufacturing and more.
Connect: 203.867.4030
Office of Continuing Education (Professional Education - CCSU) offers several different certifications within each field, as well as different education opportunities. Their courses are non-credit courses that allow advancement within a career with the mission to offer learning opportunities to all people of all.
Connect: 860-832-2277, csterling@ccsu.edu, jratcliffe@ccsu.edu
Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT: Advancing Technology, Talent & Training Innovations) is focused on creating workforce solutions for manufacturers in Connecticut. They take in entry-level workers, train current employees, and elevate job quality produced. Through their incentive involvement, they can bridge the gap between employees and employers.
Connect: 860.291.8832
Connecticut Insurance and Financial Services (_IFS Workforce 2021 - NEW – (connecticutifs.com)) offers research and training for those interested in the insurance and finance fields. Their goal is to create a workforce filled with experts. From career fairs to boot camps, participants are guaranteed an experience which opens doors for them.
Connect: 860-728-227, swinkler@connecticutifs.com
Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board (Home (ewib.org)) offers several innovative solutions to the workforce development within Connecticut. They can serve adults, as well as youth in a variety of different sectors. They are governed by a Board of Directors comprised of representatives from regional businesses, organized labor, educational institutions, state agencies, and other stakeholders.
Connect: 860-859-4100, Information@ewib.org
Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (NRWIB | Developing A Strong Workforce For Connecticut) offers opportunities for both employers and employees. They offer services across all sectors, but specifically the high demand industries. It provides career services, job training, and education for job seekers.
Connect: 203.730.0451
Connecticut State Technology Program (Workforce Development Consulting in Connecticut | CONNSTEP) provides employers with the access to training and assessments. Their system is able to target sensitive spots in the workforce that may need more focus. Ideal for supervisors. Their main concerns are workforce administration, continuous improvement, operational opportunities, and quality management.
Connect: 860-513-3200, info@connstep.org
Connecticut Community Action Agencies (https://www.cafca.org/agencies/caawc/) can be found throughout various regions in Connecticut. They offer several services including but not limited to financial counseling, free income tax preparation, eviction prevention & mediation, food pantries, and skills training.
Connect: (203) 602-8833, bettyann.mccree@caawc.org
CTHires (CTHires) is a system that matches your skills with jobs local to you. The program also assists in building your resume, and even offers insight on a job switch if that is what you are looking for. Both employers and job seekers can make use of this online one stop. It is a state system that can be minimized to view jobs local to you.
Connect: DOL.CTHiresHelpdesk@ct.gov