Smart Horizons Career Online Education (SHCOE) today announced that it will be expanding its portfolio of certificate offerings. The new career pathways will comprise a Home Care Professional Certificate and Leisure and Hospitality Certificate, which students will earn along with their accredited high school diploma.
The certificates are designed to prepare students for post-secondary education or the world of work in high-potential fields. Home health aides and personal care aides are the third and fourth fastest growing occupations in the country, respectively, with a projected overall growth rate of 40% from 2016 to 2026. Home care professionals typically require a high school diploma, and by completing the high school diploma plus Home Care Professional Certificate, graduates will be equipped with two credentials as well as entry-level skills to help launch their careers.
In addition to industry demand, the expanded offerings are driven by the demand of SHCOE’s student population and demographic, as well as the needs of partner organizations offering the program.
“Seven out of ten of our graduates state that they are going into health care. We need to prepare them for that,” explained Dr. Howard Liebman, SHCOE’s District Superintendent. “We also hear it from our partners—they want to help graduates enter this rapidly growing field. And the Leisure and Hospitality Certificate aligns to the demand from some of our top partners currently offering our program, such as Hilton.”
The addition of the Leisure and Hospitality Certificate will enable corporations like Hilton to upskill their employees, resulting in better retention, lower employee turnover, more promotion from within, and increased employee loyalty. It offers students the opportunity to grow their careers in the industry, and is the first step on the path to further education and opportunities for promotion.
The Leisure and Hospitality Certificate is scheduled to launch in March, with the Home Care Professional Certificate releasing in June.
“We are thrilled to add these new programs to our catalog,” said Wendy Kauffman, Chief Operating Officer for SHCOE. “We anticipate great results for our students as well as our partners in the health care and hospitality sectors.”
The nation’s first accredited online school district, SHCOE was founded in order to re-engage adults and older youths back into the education system, as a pathway to further workforce training credentials and expanded career opportunities. For more information, visit shcoe.org.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Fastest Growing Occupations.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides.