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The Traditional Upskill SB is no longer accepting applications until the summer cohort, but our Upskill SB Climate Action Cohort is accepting applications and you can apply here!
Learn about specific careers and training options for tech, project management, advanced manufacturing, climate action and more. If one of these careers interests you, indicate your certification interest on the application form. For more information, find the FAQs section on the homepage or email us at upskillsb@southbendin.gov. Please note that study/training times might vary based on your current skill level and specific training program.
Advanced Manufacturing
Planning, managing, and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related professional and technical support activities such as production planning and control, maintenance, and manufacturing/process engineering.
- PLC Technician Salary – $58,991 (BLS)
Ivy Tech
The Advanced Automation and Robotics (AART) program at Ivy Tech offers hands-on learning with modern equipment in classes taught by faculty who have spent their careers working in manufacturing. Students will be able to troubleshoot automated manufacturing equipment like PLCs, robotics, pneumatics, hydraulics, and motors and controls.
- 64 contact hours
- Earn two SACA PLC certifications
There is significant demand for PLC technicians preferably those with experience using relevant machinery.
Ivy Tech requires a course in electricity prior to enrolling. We highly recommend taking an electricity course through Upskill SB and Ivy Tech if you have not.
Upskill SB also offers reimbursement for other Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) certs. that are embedded in Ivy Tech courses. Please check offerings at this site and talk with an Ivy Tech academic counselor.
Climate Action
Sponsored by the City of South Bend Office of Sustainability
Increasing the renewable energy resources and transitioning to energy-efficient, low-carbon buildings are two critical strategies for reducing our community’s greenhouse gas emissions. With major funding from the federal government through the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, these job sectors are expected to expand in the coming years. To meet this expanding market and workforce need, Upskill SB is working with the Office of Sustainability to offer entry- and advanced-level climate-focused courses below!
Solar
There are currently over 3,000 jobs in the solar industry in Indiana. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Indiana ranks 4th in the nation in terms of growth projects, with 6,746 MW of solar expected to be installed in the state over the next 5 years.
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- Solar PV Installer Salary – $66,000 (The Solar Foundation, National Solar Jobs Census)
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- Solar PV Sales Rep. Salary – $90,000 (IREC, National Solar Jobs Census)
ENTRY-LEVEL
The NABCEP PV Associate Program recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge of the fundamental principles of the application, design, installation, and operation of Photovoltaic, Solar Heating or Small Wind energy systems. It is an entry-level credential that qualifies an individual to design, sell, install, or maintain systems.
Qualified Certification:
- PV Associate Program
- No pre-requirements
- 32 hours
This program is perfect for electricians, people who have an entrepreneurial spirit, and anyone excited to pivot to green jobs.
Learn more about NABCEP certification.
The approved training partner, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, has three course modules that are online and self-paced with live office hours.
ADVANCED
Upskill is offering support for the advanced NABCEP Board Certifications. Our team will work with you to ensure you meet the required education and experience levels, as this track requires a number of hours on the job.
- NABCEP Board Certifications
- 8 highly specialized professional certifications (listed below).
- Requires high levels of previous education and experience.
- PV Installer Professional (PVIP)
- PV Design Specialist (PVDS)
- PV Installer Specialist (PVIS)
- PV Commissioning and Maintenance Specialist (PVCMS)
- PV Technical Sales (PVTS)
- PV System Inspector (PVSI)
- Solar Heating System Inspector (SHSI)
- Solar Heating Installer (SHI)
Learn more about NABCEP Board Certifications here
Developed by subject matter experts for industry professionals, certifications are built on rigorous standards and ongoing research to meet the real-world needs of customers, businesses, utility companies, and governmental organizations. To view the many potential career options through a NABCEP Board Certification, follow the link below.
Green Buildings
LEED Certifications
Offered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certifications provide a framework for healthy, efficient, carbon and cost-saving green buildings. The LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement, and it is backed by an entire industry of committed organizations and individuals paving the way for market transformation.
- LEED Green Associate – Will enhance your professional credentials, open doors to new job opportunities and help advance your career in the green building industry.
- LEED AP with Specialty – Distinguishes those with advanced knowledge in green building, plus expertise in a particular LEED rating system. Previous experience working on a LEED-registered project is strongly recommended.
- LEED Green Rater – LEED Green Raters provide verification services for LEED residential projects and play a critical part in the LEED certification of residential buildings.
Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) Certifications
Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) Certified professionals save firms money. They do this by improving energy efficiency, reducing energy use, and implementing sustainable practices. Equally important, their work creates healthier living and working environments, reduces carbon emissions, and ultimately offsets the factors contributing to climate change.
- Certified Energy Manager (CEM) – A Certified Energy Manager is an individual who optimizes the energy performance of a facility, building, or industrial plant. The CEM is a systems integrator for electrical, mechanical, process, and building infrastructure, analyzing the optimum solutions to reduce energy consumption in a cost-effective approach.
- Certified Energy Auditor (CEA) – Energy Auditors undertake energy efficiency assessments of large buildings and industrial facilities. Their audits cover building systems, occupancy, operations, maintenance, and code compliance.
National Association of Realtors (NAR) Green Designation
NAR offers the GREEN Designation certification which is designed for real estate agents looking to learn about issues of energy efficiency and sustainability in real estate. (Upskill will be partnering with our the South Bend Realtors Association to offer this training to its members in the spring of 2023. Please contact the local realtors association if you are interested in participating in this course.)
- Green Designation – Gain a comprehensive understanding of homes with green features and how they should be marketed differently than traditional homes. Learn how to utilize market research about communicating with clients interested in different facets of green building.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing resources — including storage, processing power, databases, networking, analytics, artificial intelligence, and software applications — over the internet (the cloud). By outsourcing these resources, companies can access the computational assets they need, when they need them, without needing to purchase and maintain a physical, on-premise IT infrastructure.
- Cloud Developer Salary – $159,000 (Amazon)
AWS Cloud
Qualified Certifications:
- AWS Certified Developer Associate
- 43 hours
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate
- 36 hours
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate
- 43 hours
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Foundational
- 14 hours
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional
- 45 hours
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional
- 55 hours
Training hours here assume taking a full Coursera course.
Recommended Qualifications
- Foundational: 6-months of exposure to AWS
- Associate: 1 year hands-on experience with AWS
- Professional: 2+ years of hands-on experience with AWS
An Associate or higher-certified AWS professional can earn $155,000+
Amazon provides a short free exam-prep course and two free practice exams.
There are third-party online courses and remote live instruction.
Amazon has a 47.8% market share in cloud computing Gartner (2018).
Microsoft Azure Cloud
Qualified Certifications:
- Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)
- 16 hours
- Azure AI Engineer (AI-102)
- 18 hours
- Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- 20 hours
- Azure Network Engineer (AZ-700)
- 10 hours
- Azure Stack Hub Operator (AZ-600)
- 16 hours
- Azure Database Administrator (DP-300)
- 13 hours
- Azure Data Scientist (DP-100)
- 24 hours
- Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- 15 hours
- Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)
- 15 hours
- Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)
- 15 hours
- DevOps Engineer (AZ-400)
- 11 hours
- Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)
- 12 hours
Fundamental courses have no prerequisite, but associate or higher will require at least 6-months or 1-year of prior Azure exposure.
An associate holder can make on average $121,000
Instructor-led courses
- IQShare
- Microsoft virtual courses
- There are a list of virtual courses under each certification here.
Self-guided
- Udemy
- Microsoft study guide (Free)
- Free practice questions
Cyber Security
CSX workers protect our most important and private information, from bank accounts to sensitive military communications. However, there is a dangerous shortage of cybersecurity workers in Indiana that puts our digital privacy and infrastructure at risk. There are 20,500 openings requesting cybersecurity-related skills in the state, and employers are struggling to find workers who possess them.
- Cybersecurity Associate Salary – $114,000 (Indeed)
ISC2
International Information System Security Certification Consortium
Qualified Certifications with estimated study time and qualifications:
- Entry-Level Cybersecurity Certification
- 6 hours
- Security Administrator Certification (SSCP)
- 40 hours
- 1+ years of experience in security administration domain
- Cloud Security Certification (CCSP)
- 40 hours
- 5+ years of general work experience
- 3+ years of IT experience
- 1+ years of cloud security experience
- Healthcare Security Certification (HCISPP)
- 22 hours
- 2+ years of cybersecurity work experience that can substituted with healthcare experience
- Certified Information Systems Security (CISSP)
- 45 hours
- 5+ years of cybersecurity work experience
- Secure Software Development Certification (CSSLP)
- 38 hours
- 4+ years of software development experience
A CISSP can make $120,552 according to a 2020 ISC2 survey.
First-party instructor-led online training available. There are no third-party study options specifically for ISC2 certs.
ISC2 certifications target managerial and technical workers.
Purdue Applied CSX Essentials Course
The Applied Cybersecurity Essentials (A.C.E.) Core series consists of the Cybersecurity Foundations, Vulnerability Management, Enterprise Security, and Ethical Hacking. Each badge provides theoretical and applied learning activities to increase your base of cybersecurity knowledge. This series includes 20+ virtual lab exercises. All of the badges used to compile the A.C.E. Series are delivered online. Hybrid, online, or in-person activities.
The course is 16 weeks long and a certificate is awarded.
This course is perfect for beginners who do not have the requisite cybersecurity experience that is required in the other certifications.
CompTIA
Qualified Certifications with estimated study time and qualifications:
- Security+
- 40 hours
- Recommended qualifications: CompTIA Network+ Cert. and 1-2 years of IT admin experience
- CySA+
- 40 hours
- Recommended qualifications: CompTIA Network+, Security+ cert. or equivalent knowledge
- Minimum of 4 years of hands-on information security or related experience
Data Analytics
Data analysts take data and use it to help companies make better business decisions. Data analysts acquire information about specific topics and then interpret, analyze, and present findings in comprehensive reports.
- Data Analyst Salary (INFORMS) – $64,000
- Data Scientist Professional Salary – $92,600 (ICCP)
INFORMS
Qualified Certifications:
- Associate Certified Analytics Professional
- 12 hours
- Masters with less than 3 years of experience
- Certified Analytics Professional
- 12 hours
- Bachelors with 5+ years of experience
An application is required prior to taking an examination.
INFORMS has a list of first-party exam resources including a handbook, free study guide, instructor-led training, and a sample test.
CompTIA+
Qualified Certification:
- CompTIA Data+
- Unknown hours
- 1-2 years of analysis experience or exposure
This is a brand new limited-offering certification that was launched in late February 2022.
You can pick and choose a variety of study options including self-study, lab exercises, and live instruction.
Database
Database Administrators, or DBAs, are responsible for overseeing the maintenance and security measures of company databases. Their duties include monitoring and updating malware protection software to combat potential security breaches. Knowledge of general computing concepts and SQL (language used to manage relational databases) is good to know.
- DBA Salary – $94,000 (BLS)
Oracle
Qualified Certifications:
- Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate
- 17 hours
- Some knowledge of computing concepts and SQL
- Oracle Database Administration Certified Professional
- 90 hours
- Recommended experience with Oracle databases and SQL fundamentals
An Oracle DB Associate can make $98,000 (Salary.com).
All training/certification is done on Oracle’s proprietary learning platform. The associate level is free for anyone, but the professional certification requires platform subscription. The platform subscription includes labs, and live instructor sessions.
IBM
Qualified Certification:
- IBM Certified Database Associate
- Recommended grasp of DB2 concepts, database cleaning, and SQL
There are no live instruction classes. Training can be done on Coursera or on via textbook provided by IBM.
EnterpriseDB/Postgres
Qualified Certification:
- EDB PostgreSQL 12 Associate
- 10 hours
- A Postgres foundational course must be taken prior
An Postgres associate can make $110,000 (Salary.com).
The certification includes a required training program that is split into three courses.
Postgres, in comparison to traditional SQL, is an open-source relational database capable of storing, reading, and writing large databases.
Human Resources
Human resources managers link the management and employees of an organization. They recruit, screen, and manage the hiring of employers. Many also oversee benefits and compensation, employee relations, performance management, training and development, and termination.
- PHR Salary – $76,000 (Payscale)
HRCI
Human Resources Certification Institute
Qualified Certifications:
- Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR)
- 160 hours
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR)
- 180 hours
- Masters and 1 year of HR experience required or Bachelors and 2 years of HR experience
Both certification programs have a “choose your own bundle” option, allowing you to customize between self-study and/or instructor-led training. Instructor-led training can be chosen from a list of approved providers on HRCI website. Past participants recommend hr.com live instruction.
HR professionals with certifications from HRCI are leaders of a broad range of enterprises, including large multinational corporations, small businesses, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, publicly traded companies, government entities, universities, military branches and more (HRCI).
An application to take this exam is required. Upskill SB can foot the application fee on behalf of the participant.
IT Support
IT professionals provide technical assistance, support, and advice to computer users to help troubleshoot software and hardware problems. Includes instruction in computer concepts, information systems, networking, operating systems, computer hardware, the Internet, software applications, help desk concepts, problem-solving, and principles of customer service.
- IT Specialist Salary – $84,000 (Ziprecruiter)
CompTIA A+
CompTIA A+ Certification
- 160 hours
- Need to pass two exams to earn certification
- No experience/prior knowledge needed
CompTIA offers an ebook and/or a learning platform for students.
Healthcare
Medical coding involves extracting billable information from the medical record and clinical documentation, while medical billing uses those codes to create insurance claims and bills for patients. COVID-19 has added another layer of complexity to medical coding.
A Health Information System (HIS) refers to a system designed to manage healthcare data. This includes systems that collect, store, manage and transmit a patient’s EMR, a hospital’s operational management, or a system supporting healthcare policy decisions.
- Associate Coder – $79,000 (AHIMA)
- Associate HIS – $58,000 (U Wisconsin)
Certified Nursing Assistant – Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech CNA class and certification
Qualified Certifications:
- Indiana CNA Training approved program
- 105-hour course over a semester in addition to take-home work.
The CNA is an in-person course offered in the fall and spring at Ivy Tech South Bend/Elkhart.
Average base salary for a CNA in Indiana is $45,000 according to Indeed.
An application to take this exam is required.
Health Information System – HIMSS
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society
Qualified Certifications:
- Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS)
- 16 hours
- High school diploma and 45 hours in continuing education credits in healthcare, IT, or 150 hours of experience in IT or healthcare, or Bachelors
- Certified Professional in Digital Health Transformation Strategy (CPDHTS)
- 16 hours
- Bachelors
- 5+ years of IT experience
- More eligibility details at the link below.
HIMSS offers exam prep book and one-day courses. There is a free practice exam available online as well. No third-party online training available.
A HIS certified professional can make $104,000 on average (U Wisconsin).
An application to take this exam is required.
Networks
Network Engineers conceive and deploy computer networks that have been created using products from Cisco. Organizations and companies that want to develop large computer networks employ them. The primary tasks of these engineers are establishing networks, and extending network support, besides detecting and addressing persisting issues.
- CCNA Network Engineer Salary – $84,000 (Ziprecruiter)
CISCO
Qualified Certifications:
- Cisco Certified Technician (Foundational)
- 14 hours
- CCNA: Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (200-301)
- 79 hours
- 1+ years of implementing CISCO solutions usually with a Bachelors
- DEVNET Associate
- 20 hours
- 1 + years with python or software development experience
A CCNA certification is the gateway to further Network engineer certs such as CCNP and CCIE.
An e-learning pass is required to pass the CCT exam.
Training is required for CCNA and DevNet but can be done via e-learning, classroom training, digital subscription, or by a private group.
DevNet is the developer tool that integrates with CISCO. The certification pathway for DevNet professionals is different from other Network operators. A DevNet professional makes $108,000 on average.
CompTIA
Qualified Certification:
- Network+
- 150 hours
- Any CompTIA certification and 9-12 months of Networking experience
CompTIA offers an ebook and/or a learning platform for students.
Project Management
Project managers take on the responsibility for a specific project or several projects within an organization. They are in charge of planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting the project with the use of various project management methodologies. Sometimes, they may even be required to pitch the idea of the project and lead it until its fruition.
- PMP Salary – $120,000 (Project Management Institute)
Project Management Institute
PMI Qualified Certifications:
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- 23 hours
- Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM)
- 14 hours
- Recommended: Some familiarity with Agile
- Disciplined Agile Senior Scrum Master (DASSM)
- 14 hours
- 2+ years of experience with Agile
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- 35 hours
- Bachelors and 3 years of project management experience
- High school diploma and 5 years of project management experience
- PMI Professional in Business Analytics (PMI-PBA)
- 35 hours
- 3+ years of business analysis experience and 6 months of experience leading projects
To earn a certification, each applicant must complete a certain number of contact hours through professional training via PMI or through a third-party like Udemy/Coursera.
An application to take PMI certification exams is required.
PMI Qualified Badges/Micro-credentials:
- PMI Professional in Business Analytics (PMI-PBA)
- Agile Hybrid Project Pro
- Citizen Developer Practitioner
- Organization Transformation Foundation
- Organization Transformation Orchestration
- Organizational Transformation Implementation
- Built Environment Project Communication Pro
- Built Environment Performance and Materials Management Pro
- Built Environment Technology and Innovation Pro
- Agile Metrics Micro-Credential
Each micro-credential course takes between 3-8 hours complete, which taken through PMI directly. They are online and self-guided. There is a final assessment at the end of each badge.
There is no application in order to earn a PMI badge.
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