[Alpharius]

Looking over a lot of the threads here it seems like a lot of guys are asking about where they can learn some basic skills to get a foot in the door in various industries. Certifications and licenses are quick ways to enter a new field or learn a new skill. I figured it might be good to list make a thread listing different certifications, what it takes to get them, and what they're good for.

Here are the ones I know about off hand.

CPR/AED/First Aid - If not required, then certainly looked for in just about every field I can think of. There's no downside to taking this course. The class usually runs for 3 hours and costs US$70. Certification lasts for 2 years.

Blood Borne Pathogens - Only required if you work in the medical field. Basically it's $25 to get "Put gloves on!" drilled into your head. Worth it if you plan on doing anything where you could have someone bleed on you.

EMT - Not really required for any job beyond the medical field and some law enforcement agencies. Does teach you some awesome like skills. The course is about 110 hours + practical (riding around in an ambulance or running around an ER). Certification lasts two years. You can find jobs with small time fire and rescue departments, hospitals, clinics, and police departments. Pay varies wildly. You need to take a refresher every two years. Typically costs range from US$600-1000.


We have a lot of guys from tons of different fields here who could probably list a few courses people would be interested in taking. In my experience, a little extra training and knowledge are never a bad thing.

What's out there?

[Hannibal]

I wish I knew more about stuff like this, I'd make a massive list of marketable skills and certifications.

I know that it doesn't take a lot of effort to get a CDL to drive large trucks, and that you can use that in the oilfields to make bank.

[billbudsocket]

Welding - with different welding certs you should be able to get a good paying job almost anywhere in North America.

[thegmanifesto]

(02-26-2013 02:06 AM)Osiris Wrote:  

CPR/AED/First Aid - If not required, then certainly looked for in just about every field I can think of. There's no downside to taking this course. The class usually runs for 3 hours and costs US$70. Certification lasts for 2 years.

I had this when I was younger.

Damn, now you are making me feel like I should do this again.

---

Locksmithing school is pretty dope.

Learn that, get some trucks on the road, and boom, you got a biz.

I have actually thought about it, as I bet if you marketed it well, you could do well.

I bet it is wide open for internet marketing, social media, etc.

There is another biz idea for you young bucks.

[Timoteo]

I've been going through the process of getting certified for security work, and I want to get the CPR/First Aid cert. Some places require it to get hired. If you shop around, yeah, you can get it from$70 - $100.

[Alpharius]

(02-26-2013 12:47 PM)billbudsocket Wrote:  

Welding - with different welding certs you should be able to get a good paying job almost anywhere in North America.

What welding certifications are out there? How long does it take to get them?

[Aliblahba]

I teach a certified course in being a player. $3K per week not including hotel and food. PM me if interested.

[big poppa]

Not sure about regulations and such in the States, but an RSA (respsonible service of alcohol) and an RCG (responsible conduct of gambling) are needed to work in bars and licensed venues.

First Aid cert, truck licence, forklift licence I'm sure would all be beneficial as well.

[GBG]

I have two certifications. I didn't even use the first one

Pharmacy Tech License: Easy and cheap. The job isn't too bad but after I got certified I decided it wasn't for me. Still, a good fallback option if I slip.
You don't even need to take a class. I bought a review book that they recommend. I didn't bother learning about the drugs. I just studied what I thought the majority of the test would be over; mostly law and conversions.

I'm not going to name the second certification/license because I cheated and they can't find out about it! If you want to know just send me a PM.

There were a bunch of courses I had to take, I chose to take them online. It is supposed to take a minimum of 30 hours to complete each course and there were several, but with my method I completed the whole thing in three days.

Each course had a test at the end that you had to pass to move onto the next course. I simply made it an open book test and looked up all of the answers. Then after I took all of those courses I had to take one more final test that I couldn't cheat on, the proctored licensing exam. I bought a review guide and studied that for a week. Passed the test got my licence and now I'm in good shape.

[cherico88]

One business that I'd like to invest in is a discount optician store. Glasses/contacts are something that you absolutely need to have. It's almost as bad as needing a dentist when you have a toothache.

I went to this discount optician here in the San Fernando Valley to get a new pair of glasses. First, I had to go to an optometrist to get my prescription. I went to my local community hospital and it cost me $30. You can have an exam done even cheaper if there is an optometry college in your area.

After going to 5 different opticians on Ventura Blvd., they all wanted in the area of $275 for a nice pair of Dior glasses. I think that's a rip and I won't pay it. I looked on Yelp and found a guy that will do my Dior glasses for $150.

This guy is in a tiny shop in a low rent area of Van Nuys. He has no employees. There was a line to get into his tiny store and he had my glasses ready the next day.

My retired buddy that used to wholesale frames says that the glasses cost around $40 wholesale and $5 for the glass so he is making $125 and he is doing this all day. Also, he only takes cash.

Here in California You don't need to go to a school to get licensed. You can intern for 4 months at an optometrist's office and get your training that way. My local hospital takes optician interns. Of course you work for free, but you don't have to pay tuition to a school.

I think in this tough economy that discount designer glasses is a winner business.

[GBG]

Damn. All that cash and he's the only guy in the place? He's begging to get stood over.

[Beyond Borders]

(02-26-2013 11:51 PM)GBG Wrote:  

Damn. All that cash and he's the only guy in the place? He's begging to get stood over.

I imagine he's armed.

[bojangles]

Going to do a PRINCE2 next week, worldwide recognised qualification.

[Alpharius]

(02-27-2013 05:38 AM)bojangles Wrote:  

Going to do a PRINCE2 next week, worldwide recognised qualification.

How does it teach you to do? Who looks for it?

[bojangles]

(02-27-2013 06:59 AM)Osiris Wrote:  

(02-27-2013 05:38 AM)bojangles Wrote:  

Going to do a PRINCE2 next week, worldwide recognised qualification.

How does it teach you to do? Who looks for it?

It's a project management course, teaches you the procedures behind project management. Project managers are used in nearly every industry, this is a worldwide qualification meaning you can be employed as a project management anywhere where you can speak the language. All companies wanting a project manager look for at least this as a qualification. Most places will pay at least £250 a day for a PM.

[Aliblahba]

Certified Welding Inspector. These guys make big bank, and you don't need a history of welding. The test is hard, and a lot of guys don't pass due to the math. It's not hard in the U.S. to pull down a six figure salary.