Career Training

Twenty-five thousand men and women work as air traffic controllers in the United States. Every year between 400 and 500 new air traffic control positions become available. Working in aviation as an air traffic controller is a lucrative career with a median salary of over $100,000 per year.

In order to become an air traffic controller, one must earn a two or four-year degree in aviation control or a closely related field, pass a medical exam, a security investigation, have related work experience and pass the Federal Aviation Administration’s pre-employment tests. The first test, the bio-data assessment, assesses a worker’s experience, general education, and work habits. The second test, the AT-SAT is an eight-hour computer-based test that assesses an applicant’s knowledge directly related to air traffic control.

Two-year air traffic control degree programs are developed specifically to help applicants acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to pass the AT-SAT exam. They are intended to supplement a student’s prior experience in aviation and serve as a pathway to a qualifying to become an air traffic controller. Students with no prior aviation experience can also prepare for the FAA Academy via an accredited two-year program.

The Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative is a partnership between the FAA and thirty different colleges and universities designed to make high-quality Air Traffic Control education available to students around the country. While earning a degree from a college or university within the program does not guarantee that an applicant will get a job in

Careers: Brewing and Wine Making

One of the more popular and less conventional fields of study at community colleges today is a degree in beer crafting or winemaking.

• While these programs may not seem like paths to lucrative professions on the surface, the truth is that the wine and beer industry is a booming one in the U.S. and beyond.
• Check out these community colleges that offer training in a long-standing craft that continues to be highly sought after today.

Canva generated this photo of a craft brewery.

The Booming Business of Beer Crafting

According to a report at Blue Ridge Now, craft beer is a U.S. industry that is growing by leaps and bounds.

• The article cites numbers from the Brewers Association that show the $26.8 billion industry grew to 27 percent of the $100 billion beer market in 2021.
• The total number of craft breweries in 2021 is 9,118.

“I think it’s a great idea for a school to start this kind of program,” Andy Cubbin, co-owner and head brewer at Southern Appalachian Brewery, told Blue Ridge Now. “I think [the craft beer industry] is growing about 15 or 16 percent a year.”

The Community College Times reported earlier this year that providing a degree program in beer crafting gives community colleges another avenue to do what they do best, namely, offer training for employment opportunities right in their neighborhoods.

Entrepreneurship has long been the backbone of the American economy, providing jobs and opportunities for U.S. residents across various industries. To help budding entrepreneurs see their dreams of business ownership come to fruition, community colleges across the country provide the training and education these aspiring capitalists need to succeed in their endeavors. Check out a sampling of what prospective and experienced business owners can find from their own local community colleges.

Entrepreneur Training through the California Community College System

Community college students and others in California looking for help in meeting their entrepreneurial dreams can find the assistance they need through the Business and Entrepreneurship Center offered by the California Community College System. This program brings together business, industry, and community leaders in the state to provide the information that budding entrepreneurs need to succeed. The center also serves as a resource for business improvements throughout the state.

The Business and Entrepreneurship Center works with various partners, including non-profit, private, and public organizations to build strong businesses throughout California. By strengthening local business, this center strives to improve the state's economic health through job and wealth creation and retention. The centers include locations throughout California, including sites in Redding, Oceanside, Bakersfield, Napa, Santa Ana, Aptos, and San Luis Obispo.

Alabama Community College System Offers New Network for Entrepreneurs

Another state that is taking entrepreneur training to the next level is Alabama. The Alabama Community College System is building a network of entrepreneurs to come alongside those

Culinary arts have become a popular degree program at community colleges across the country. What is fueling this sudden surge of foodies? Some believe it is the growing number of cooking programs on television that tend to glamorize what was once known as a relatively mundane, low-paying industry. TV has also increased interest in food enjoyment, which has further fueled the need for talented chefs – providing more opportunities for those who pursue a two-year degree in culinary arts. As the cycle continues, more college students are taking a serious look at the potential for a culinary arts degree, as well as the best schools to pursue an education in all things culinary.

Los Angeles Colleges See “Explosion” of Enrollment

The culinary arts programs at community colleges in Los Angeles have never been healthier. According to the Daily Breeze, enrollment in some programs has more than doubled within a few years. Some schools are reporting an overflow of students in classes and an even longer waitlist for students who were unable to get into the classes of their choice.

For example, the culinary arts program at Los Angeles Mission College has more than doubled the student population in just three years – from 250 students to 600 currently. The school has recently expanded the space for its program, adding an extensive new facility that boasts seven full kitchens equipped with some of the latest cooking technology. The 40 million dollar facility seemed to

Careers: Dental Hygienist, Medical Lab Technician & More Healthcare Positions

The healthcare industry is one of the hottest regarding employment and job stability. The good news is that many of the in-demand positions in health care can be landed with a two-year degree from your local community college. Check out these top 10 healthcare careers you can enter with a community college degree.

Canva created this photo of a medical laboratory technicain at work.

Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists assist dentists in their offices, educating patients and providing cleaning and preventative care.

• The average annual salary for these professionals is around $81,000, and many only work part-time.
• You can launch your career as a dental hygienist with a two-year degree at your local community college. Many schools feature dental laboratories, where students work with actual patients for practical, hands-on experience.
• In some states, hygienists must also pass an examination to practice, but community colleges often provide the preparation and opportunities for testing as part of the degree program.

Medical Laboratory Technician

This medical professional performs routine laboratory tests for diagnostic and monitoring purposes.

• Tests might include blood and urine tests, as well as examinations of tissue and other bodily fluids.
• Medical laboratory technicians typically work in the lab of a hospital, according to the website for the MHA Health Careers Center.
• They might also work in the laboratories of public health clinics,