Short Term Certificates have fewer than 20 credits. They usually cover an entry-level or specific skill set needed for that industry. Students can complete a short-term certificate and enter/re-enter the workplace with improved skills. They may also continue on a pathway to a higher certificate or degree, and some or all of the credits from the short-term certificate may apply to the next level certificate or degree.
Among these short-term certificates are some that are considered “stackable” certificates. Stackable Certificates are short-term certificates of fewer than 20 credits each, which are specifically designed to build, or “stack” sequential skills and credits. On completion of each certificate, students can return to the workplace with added skills or they can continue building additional skills at the next level in the stackable series of certificates. Taken together, stackable certificates lead to a sequence of increasing skills, potential job advancement and/or cumulative credits toward a higher certificate or degree.
For example, in Wood Technology, students can take 18-credit certificates independently in Carpentry, Finishing and/or Framing Fundamentals. These skills can lead to jobs, or students can accumulate the skills, which can lead to more job skills, further certificates or an A.A.S.-T degree. In Welding, there are six levels of skill. Each new skill level can increase job potential for students who need to stop studies to work. On returning to school, students resume work at the next certificate level, accumulating skills which can lead to further Certificate and/or an A.A.S. degree.
Contact the program for additional information. New certificates are frequently added as industry needs change.
*For information call Worker Retraining at (206)934-5835(S) (206)934-3854 (206)934-3787(N)
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