Transform your career: 10 must-try vocational training programs

Welding is a dangerous occupation that exposes a lot of workers to health risks like eye damage, electrical shock, burns, and exposure to toxic fumes. SC Training’s Welding Safety course is a vocational training program designed to protect both aspiring welders and experienced workers from such hazards.

The course starts by discussing the fundamentals of welding, safety protocols, personal protective equipment, and the main differences between welding, soldering, and brazing. As learners advance through the lessons, they’ll also gain a better understanding of the most popular welding techniques, including Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, and Shield Metal Arc Welding.

The best part? This safety course has a huge advantage compared to other online welding courses. Through SC Training’s mobile learning platform, learners can choose to complete this self-paced course on their preferred device, making training more engaging and user-friendly.

SC Training developed the Electrical Safety course to help aspiring electrical technicians acquire practical knowledge and skills in electrical safety measures. This vocational training program teaches them how to use insulated protective equipment and execute first aid for burns and electrical shocks caused by an arc flash.

Like other electrician courses, it also goes into detail about working with energized equipment, spotting hazards, and grounding electricity, which prevents electrical currents from traveling through someone's body. The last part of the course highlights the common dangers to watch out for when working with electricity. These hazards include overhead power lines, damaged tools and equipment, exposed electrical parts, faulty wiring, and overloaded circuits.

The best part of this course is that it’s filled with interactive gamification elements that motivate learners to engage with their training.

What is vocational training without basic plumbing? NPTC Group of Colleges’ Basic Plumbing Course is a vocational training program that’s specially designed for novice plumbers and construction workers.

The first part of the course provides learners with an introduction to cutting, bending, joining, and soldering techniques. It then discusses ways of installing and testing rainwater gutters and downpipes. The last lesson focuses more on jointing, bending, and pressure testing copper tubes.

By the end of their training, aspiring plumbers will be able to properly install and fix plumbing fixtures with ease and have more career opportunities. Overall, the course takes one year to complete and learners are required to attend in-person classes at Neath College. 

With Cameo Beauty Academy’s Cosmetology Course, aspiring salon stylists, estheticians, entry-level apprenticeship graduates, and cosmetology instructors can build their knowledge about cosmetic basics and provide effective treatment to the hair, skin, and nails of their future customers.

Some of the topics covered in this course include practical chemical application, hair styling, esthetics, nail technology, salon management, sanitation, and interpersonal relations. They’ll also go through 150 hours of basic training in subject areas like shampooing, types of hair, sanitary standards, skin diseases, anatomy, and physiology.

Through combined classroom instruction and hands-on experience, learners will be able to apply the latest hair, beauty, and nail trends and become more confident in their esthetician skills. 

The Massage Diploma by the International Career Institute is a vocational training program that introduces aspiring massage therapists to the fundamentals of massage and its common applications.

Learners can expect a rundown of the different types of massage, including athletic massage, medicinal massage, aromatic massage, lymph drainage massage, and reflexology relaxation massage. This course also walks them through topics such as human anatomy, physiology, body mechanics, and the application of various massage techniques, movements, and styles. 

Upon enrollment, learners will receive all required study materials, course notes, and a tutor who will be available to answer all of their training and career-related questions. On successful completion of this massage program, learners will receive a graduation diploma, transcripts, and a letter of recommendation for future employment. 

Circle of Life Care’s Caregiver School is a vocational training program designed to help aspiring caregivers understand the different levels of care needed to help cognitively impaired patients. It breaks down subtopics such as medication administration, residents' rights, legal and ethical issues, food handling processes, and emergency procedures.

The course also touches on the various techniques that caregivers can use to manage their patients’ mental health and social service needs. The entire course can be completed in just two weeks and it’s taught using a variety of instructional methods, which include lectures, readings, videos, demonstrations, group projects, and hands-on practice.

Targeted at aspiring housekeeping personnel, SC Training’s Cleaning and Sanitizing in Hospitality provides a comprehensive overview of fundamental housekeeping topics such as stain removal, restroom sanitation, spot disinfection on high-touch areas, and commercial cleaning procedures and maintenance.

Similar to other cleaning training courses, this course also underscores the best practices for cleaning dining areas as well as common areas such as lobbies, waiting rooms, and corridors. By the end of this vocational training program, your apprentice will understand the difference between cleaning and sanitizing and they’ll also be able to perform proper cleaning techniques with more confidence and ease.

This course can be found in SC Training’s course library under the Food & Hospitality category. You can also find other housekeeper training courses that can help you expand your housekeeping and hospitality skills.

Also offered on SC Training, this vocational training program emphasizes the importance of providing an excellent dining experience for customers. Composed of 4 lessons, learners will get a good grasp of the key areas of a restaurant, as well as the step-by-step procedures for serving and interacting with customers.

The course also discusses how to take orders, maintain a section of tables, carry plates confidently, and communicate with a team of wait staff. The final lesson concludes with selling strategies that learners can use to suggest additional meals or upsell better deals for their customers.

This editable course is available through SC Training’s course library, making it readily available for anyone to import and use. Its mobile learning design also makes it convenient for learners to access their training on any mobile device.

Assiniboine Community College developed the Carpentry and Woodworking course to provide aspiring carpenters and woodworkers with the basic knowledge needed to do general home repairs and more complex woodworking projects.

Some of the topics covered in this vocational training program include blueprint reading, building materials, construction safety, woodworking machines, and construction trades geometry. It also tackles fundamental carpentry skills like cabinet making, exterior finishing, roof framing, and stair building.

The entire program only takes 9 months to complete but learners must be prepared to shell out a hefty fee. This already includes their tuition, course fees, student’s association fees, textbooks, tools, and supplies.

Forklift Operation Safety by SC Training equips forklift operators and warehouse personnel with the fundamental skills needed to safely operate forklifts.

This vocational training program covers all aspects of forklift handling, including pre-operation, traveling, maneuvering, and load handling. It also highlights maintenance procedures and specific forklift driving hazards to watch out for, such as overheating, leakage, fire, and mechanical failure.

With SC Training’s award-winning microlearning platform, learners have the opportunity to take their training in bite-sized increments, ensuring higher engagement and retention of knowledge. They can even take the lessons at their own pace using any mobile device. 

The Kitchen Operations course offered by SC Training is a great addition to vocational education and training courses for anyone looking to build a solid foundation in culinary skills. Approved by HACCP, this course helps participants learn essential practices for running a kitchen efficiently. Over five engaging lessons, learners dive into how to prepare the kitchen for service, maintain a clean and organized workspace, and implement effective sanitization techniques. These skills are key for promoting food safety and creating a welcoming environment for both staff and customers.

As the course progresses, participants also discover important closing procedures that make sure everything is in order at the end of the day. This practical training wraps up with a final assessment that checks their understanding of the key concepts covered. Whether someone is just starting their culinary journey or looking to sharpen their skills, this course offers a hands-on approach to kitchen operations that prepares them for success in the food service industry.

The Guest Service in Hospitality and Tourism course offered by SC Training is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to break into the hospitality industry. This course covers key topics like customer service skills, how to greet guests warmly, and how to handle complaints effectively. Each lesson is engaging and practical, giving learners tools they can use in real-life situations. At the end of the course, participants take an assessment to see how well they’ve grasped the material.

Developed in collaboration with industry experts at SafetyCulture, this course is a great guide for those wanting to master excellent customer service skills. It helps learners understand how to create positive experiences for guests, which is crucial in today’s competitive hospitality environment. Whether someone is just starting out or looking to sharpen their skills, this course offers valuable insights that can help them succeed in their careers.