Community Colleges Take the Lead in Lucrative Certificates

Community colleges have taken the lead in offering certificates that teach students the basic knowledge, skills and training required to land an entry-level position in growing and lucrative industries. Jeff Strohl, director and co-founder of Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, notes: “I think it’s developed because the community colleges are the center of our workforce development system.” In one year, 64% of California community college students completed a noncredit [Career Technical Education] or workforce preparation course, according to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

The Strategic Value of Certificates

Strohl said certificates can be a valuable component to someone who already has a bachelor’s degree, especially for in-demand jobs that require certain certificates. “It could be that the certificates of value are those that add…a very specific skill set on top of the general education,” he said. For students, it is vital to be purposeful about why you yourself are trying to get a certificate and how it builds your career pathway. According to Salary Surfer, a website that tracks the salaries of college graduates, several programs offer significant financial returns.

Most Lucrative Certificate Programs

The top five most lucrative certificates offered at California community colleges include specialized fields ranging from healthcare to technical infrastructure. Data from Salary Surfer highlights the earning potential for these certificates:

Electrical Systems and Power Transmission

The most lucrative certificate available for California students is in electrical systems and power transmission. Recipients can earn up to $159,160 according to Salary Surfer. Students with this certificate can apply for entry-level jobs which include:

• Solar installers
• Traffic technicians
• Electrical engineering technicians

Leonard Barela, a professor at Long Beach City College, said the electrical field is a growing industry with a need for electrical workers.

Paramedic and Emergency Medical Services

Paramedics is one of the most lucrative certificates offered, and El Camino College offers a paramedical technician certificate. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average paramedic in California makes an annual salary of $69,870. Salaries for paramedics range from $50,000 to over $100,000, depending on whether they work for a hospital, a private ambulance company or a fire department. El Camino paramedics director Kevin Huben said, “Being a paramedic in any way, shape, or form is…a very good-paying job.”

Growth in Emerging Industries

Beyond traditional trades, community colleges are addressing needs in newer fields like social media. At Orange Coast College, professors launched a social media strategist program to help students enter this growing industry. Now the program is a success, with classes filled and graduates moving on to work for large social media companies. This demonstrates how community colleges remain the center of our workforce development system, adapting to the needs of the modern job market.