Free Career Training In High-Demand Fields in 12 Weeks

$44,620. $47,680. $55,010. These are annual average salaries* for debt-free careers with only 12-weeks of training from Bucks County Community College in careers that are in high-demand. Turning 3 months into a potential lifetime career – not a bad start for young people that either don’t want to – or have the finances to – go to college or are unsure of what they want to pursue for a career. They can start a career in which they can make a living wage and create the lifestyle they want. In addition to salary, many companies offer bonuses and incentives such as profit sharing, holiday bonuses, and referral bonuses.

The Center for Workforce Development at Bucks focuses on career training programs for people seeking to start a career in a high demand job, by offering free training in high-demand fields. Two of our training programs, Pre-apprentice Metalwork and Pre-apprentice Industrial Maintenance (electro-mechanical maintenance and repair), are in manufacturing which, in addition to a growing regional demand, is facing a ‘silver tsunami’ with over 25% of company workforces approaching retirement.

Manufacturing is not the ‘dirty, dumb, and dangerous’ industry it has been perceived to be. Many manufacturers have technologically advanced and even sterile environments. There is a need for employees that are digitally literate and have the desire and capacity to work in the field as many companies automate and use robots to do the jobs there aren’t people to do. The reality is that automation creates more jobs, good middle-skill jobs, than it displaces.

Many companies in the industry, and locally, have openings for people in what are typically considered the ‘middle skill’ jobs. Employers need workers with education beyond high school, but not necessarily a 2- or 4-year degree, which creates great opportunities for those that are looking for a job and career, and may not be sure what it is. In a survey of local manufacturers by Kreischer Miller, over 66% of respondents reported that in 2019 they planned to increase their workforce headcount, but their biggest barrier to growth is a lack of qualified workers/skilled labor.**

We do a disservice to our young people, and our local and national economy, when we only focus on college for all; great opportunities exist for graduates and young people to move into middle skill jobs, and start careers, in fields that are expected to grow and provide a good living wage and opportunity to advance in the company. And once they start a career, they may realize that they want to go to college so they can advance their career. For those young people that are unsure of college, this is an opportunity to start a career that could give them a great start as independent adults.

Find out more at www.Bucks.edu/wfd

*2019 High Priority Occupations for Bucks County Workforce Development Area – Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal & Plastic; Machinist; Industrial Machinery Mechanics

** Kreischer Miller 2019 Greater Philadelphia Manufacturing Survey

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