As the cost of traditional 4-year degrees has gone up and increasingly priced out more and more students, alternative means to gain professional training has become more popular. Professional certificates have become increasingly common due to their specialized training and low relative cost.

As more certificates have been developed, they continue to gain traction with employers, increasing their value to people in the workforce.

Professional certificates allow someone to gain real world skills from an accredited institution while spending less money and time doing so. This increase in popularity has lead to an upsurge in the development of new and innovative certificates.

A shining example of this innovation comes from Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada where they have produced successful certificates in both Special Events Management, and 3D Printing.

Tourism drives much of the Northern Nevada economy and large special events are very popular. Due to Reno’s high volume of convention space and hotels, it has become a popular destination for companies to host large events. Pairing that with traditional Reno events, such as The Reno Rodeo, The Great Reno Balloon Race, and The Nugget Rib Cook-Off, and you have a clear demand for event managers. This led to Truckee Meadows Community Colleges’ development of their Special Event Management Certificate.

The college paired with the City of Reno and its city manager to produce this comprehensive certificate. Over the course of two months, students learn real-world event management skills that prepare them for jobs in the industry. After completion, they are prepared to handle and fulfill the expectations of event workers, attendees, sponsors, and host communities. They also gain hands-on skills through a required internship. With two sections already under their belt, Truckee Meadows Community College has had 21 participants and generated over $10,000 in income!

Another niche in the world of certificates is the ever growing field of technology. 3D printing has already begun to change the way things are made, as well as by who and where they can be produced.

As the cost of the technology has started to go down, the popularity of the technology has been on the rise. Noting this budding industry, Truckee Meadows Community College partnered with the University of Reno to teach and certify students in this emerging technology. During the five-week program, students learn the mechanics and maintenance of a 3D printer, as well as how to design and print their original ideas. Six students participated in the first iteration of this certificate and its popularity is sure to continue to rise as 3D printing is now being used for everything from city planning to the production of prosthetic limbs.

These two certificates are great examples of how to develop programing that fits your area and its trends for future employment. These certificates are sure to grow and Truckee Meadows Community College should be commended for developing programing that has high growth potential and local relevance.

For these accomplishments, LERN is excited to present Truckee Meadows Community College with the Award for Outstanding Programing!

Read about the other 2015 LERN International Award winners.