Job Training in 2021 & Beyond: What’s New & What to Expect

If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it's that some jobs offer a lot more security than others during a crisis. In the early days of the pandemic, unemployment rates increased significantly. Millions of workers were laid off or had their hours reduced.

While states stayed locked down for months, many workers began looking for new jobs. In fact, a survey indicated that 89% of American workers are interested in gaining new skills and up-training for a new job.

In order to successfully navigate the job search and training, students need to know the latest, high-demand industries to enter and the educational opportunities that will prepare them to do so. COVID-19 leveled the world. But the global response to the pandemic also took down many former obstacles to career advancement and change.

What and how can students learn in 2021 and beyond? Here are the best industries to enter, and how students can find the door to do so.

Industries in High Demand

‌While the travel, hospitality and restaurant industries were destroyed during the lockdowns, the technology industry and areas of the healthcare industry soared.

‌Information Technology

‌Current data indicate that the information technology — or IT — industry is expected to add 531,200 new jobs by 2029. IT job titles expected to grow include:

• Computer programmer

• Computer support specialist

• Software developer

• Cybersecurity expert

• Network and computer systems administrator

Not only can students take classes that will train them for these skilled positions but they can also pursue the certifications that employers want to see through MedCerts and other reputable online training programs.

‌Healthcare

While healthcare specialties that focus on elective procedures are vulnerable to market volatility, emergency healthcare workers are always in demand. And during a crisis, that demand only increases. ‌

Many laid-off healthcare workers began seeking out job training in other healthcare areas, and there remains plenty of room for newcomers to the healthcare industry. After all, it needs people to fill the expected 2.4 million new jobs in healthcare by 2029. In-demand specialties include:

• Clinical laboratory technician

• Behavioral health worker

• Medical Assistant

• Medical records and health information specialist

• Pharmacy technician

Job training trends include online programs that offer education in both healthcare administration and technical specialties.

Remote Programs and Government Funding

Two of the biggest barriers to job training for the future have been knocked down.

Online Learning

There’s no longer any need to travel in order to go to school. You can take the classes you need in the convenience of your own home.

The world’s dependence on technology skyrocketed during the pandemic lockdowns — one of the reasons IT jobs are in such high demand. All education and job training facilities were shifted online. Remote learning saw an 8,000% increase in search traffic.

In response, eLearning platforms improved, and students became comfortable with them. Now, many students choose to continue their education through eLearning instead of returning to the classroom.

Financial Aid

One of the biggest reasons that people fail to pursue new careers is their concern over the cost. First of all, online programs are already cheaper than in-person ones. But you may not need to foot the bill at all.

Government funding has made it easier than ever to change careers — particularly for individuals who experienced job instability during the pandemic. Students should explore current grants and assistance available for job training.

Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the world to modernize by leaps and bounds. The IT industry is expanding significantly as it tries to keep up with this new normal. At the same time, the healthcare industry is seeking out a constant influx of essential workers.

Job training for these growing fields is easier than ever with online programs and government funding. There’s no need to fear the future — only to train for it.