Deciding to change jobs or return to school can be overwhelming, but what if you could fast-track your career growth without making a drastic change? By engaging with your employer and staying up to date with industry trends, you can unlock new opportunities for advancement through trainings and certifications. With a variety of stackable training available at your local community college through FastForward, you can start advancing in your career in just a few months. Here are three tips to keep in mind as you plan your climb.
Start a Conversation With Your Boss
Talk to your boss and stay updated with the company, its future and what additional skills he or she could use to keep the business running. Bring a notebook when you do have these conversations to write down the important key points to show that you are listening and appreciative of their time.
Once you have a list of skills and possible training certifications that your boss is looking for, schedule a meeting with a local FastForward Career Coach to explore relevant training options.
Connect with Professionals in Your Industry
Trade associations for educators, electricians, contractors and other industries can be useful places for making connections with other workers in your field. Additionally, casual online spaces, such as Reddit and Facebook have forums dedicated to industry-specific conversations that welcome all types of questions about the industry.
- Facebook: Chesterfield Education Association and Virginia Manufacturers Association
- Reddit: Electricians of Reddit and Truckers of Reddit
- Professional association websites: Information Systems Security Association International, American Welding Society and Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association
By meeting other people in your field, you can learn what certifications helped them move up at their company and what skills have helped them succeed.
Explore Funding Options
Securing a new workforce credential doesn’t always require out-of-pocket costs. Because many businesses benefit from having employees who wear multiple hats on the job, companies may pay for additional training certifications, or you may qualify for a variety of assistance through programs like FastForward. FastForward graduate Aidan Gould took advantage of our funding and completed Laurel Ridge’s plumbing program and later pursued additional electrical training, launching his career as a master plumber and entrepreneur.
How you Can Get Started Today
If you’re looking to move up the job ladder, it may be time to start planning. FastForward training programs are based on the needs of local, Virginia-based employers and allow you to keep your job while you go to class. To figure out what program is best for you, FastForward Career Coaches provide one-on-one counseling to help you find the perfect fit.
For more information about FastForward, and to get in touch with a coach today, visit our website: https://fastforwardva.org/contact-us/.