.Many aspiring healthcare workers think they must complete a four-year college degree to work in the healthcare industry, but there is another viable option in skills-based training programs. These programs focus on helping students develop the specific skills they’ll need to perform their jobs properly, rather than more broad educational programs. At Prism Career Institute, we offer skills-based Medical Assistant and Practical Nursing training programs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Here, we discuss the value and benefits of skills-based training.
What Is Skills-Based Training?
Skills-based training is a method of education that focuses on helping students or employees learn and develop the skills they need to perform their jobs. Contrary to traditional training methods like four-year college degrees, skills-based training teaches practical skills specific to the job you’re looking to pursue rather than covering broad topics, different specialties, and soft skills. This type of training often employs hands-on experience to teach specialized skills, which is very valuable when starting a new career.
If a student is looking to become a medical assistant, a skills-based training program will teach them about the specific skills they need, such as interacting with patients, scheduling appointments, performing certain procedures, and more. They will also often get the opportunity to actively work with patients in healthcare environments, which helps them put the skills they’ve learned to work. This type of program offers great value compared to a four-year degree where students will have to take classes that aren’t related to their career goals and may not get much hands-on experience.
Benefits of Skills-Based Training
Many people in modern American culture place a lot of emphasis on a four-year college degree, but this path isn’t always right for all students. Skills-based training is a valuable alternative to a four-year college degree that can provide several benefits to students, including:
Hands-On Training Experience
As mentioned above, skills-based training programs are ideal for gaining valuable hands-on experience that relates to the desired career, which is a major benefit. This experience can be listed on their resumes when applying to jobs and is often preferred by employers. Completing hands-on training can also help employees feel ready and confident when they graduate and go on to start their careers. Some graduates of four-year colleges will discover that their education isn’t sufficient for the workplace since they don’t have hands-on experience or training that can help them apply their knowledge to a job.
Shorter Completion Time
Another benefit of skills-based training programs is a shorter completion time compared to traditional college degrees. For people who want to get started working quickly, these programs can help them, since most only take one to two years to complete. These shorter programs also offer an alternative to students who don’t find a four-year degree to be a good fit. Since they are completed in less time, they also cost less over time than four-year degrees with expensive tuition.
Networking Opportunities
Another benefit of skills-based training programs is the networking opportunities that can arise from them. Since hands-on experience is a large part of the training, students make connections in their field that can benefit them after completion. For example, if a student in a medical assistant program completes an externship at a local hospital or doctor’s office, it can set them up to work there after graduation. At the least, they can make connections with other healthcare employees that can help them network.
Skills-Based Training Programs at Prism Career Institute
Prism Career Institute offers skills-based healthcare training programs at our campuses in Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These programs feature hands-on learning experiences, along with classroom learning, that prepare students for success in their respective careers. Students in the medical assistant program complete a 150-hour externship program at a local healthcare setting alongside an industry professional. Students in the practical nursing program complete a clinical training experience that helps them simulate work on patients. Both hands-on training aspects help students incorporate what they’ve learned in the classroom into real-world settings.
At Prism Career Institute, our skills-based training programs are led by committed and knowledgeable instructors who are passionate about student success. We also have a Career Services department that helps students with resume and interview prep, finding potential job opportunities, and more. We also offer financial aid opportunities for students who qualify.
Explore Skills-Based Training Through Prism Career Institute Today
If you’re ready to reap the benefits of a skills-based education, enroll in one of the healthcare training programs at Prism Career Institute. These programs can help prepare you for a successful career in the healthcare industry in less time and with more hands-on experience. To learn more about our admissions process, contact us today.