?? Stop Paying for Certifications - You've Earned Better Options!

Transitioning from military to civilian life presents unique challenges, especially when it comes to career development. Many service members, veterans and military spouses, are seeking to upskill or change careers, only to find themselves facing financial barriers. This article aims to dismantle these barriers by highlighting FREE resources that provide invaluable support for the military community in their journey toward a successful civilian career.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." – Winston Churchill.

The Need for Accessible Career Resources:

The transition from military to civilian life is a critical period for many and the same can be said for military spouses who are looking to get back in the job market and have PCSing for the umpth time. Gaining new certifications can open doors to employment opportunities, but the cost of these certifications often poses a significant hurdle.

For instance, consider the EC-Council 's Certifed Ethical Hacker exam alone carries a price tag of $1,199, or Prosci 's Change Management Certification course, priced at a straggering $4,500. These costs can be quite prohibitive to members of the military community, especially if you're just making ends meet while exploring new career avenues. Investing such significant amounts without any certainty of a return – in terms of landing a role or it paying off in the long run – can be a challenging prospect.

Recognizing this challenge, several organizations have stepped up to offer free resources that help military community members translate their skills into valuable civilian qualifications.

Key Resources:

For Active duty

Military Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) OR Army's Credentialing Assistance: All RATE, MOS, AFC or Designator-related, leadership-related certifications.

Military COOL offers a pathway for Active Duty Military to convert their military training into civilian certifications, aligning their skills with the demands of the job market. COOL effectively bridges the gap between military and civilian skill sets. It empowers active duty members to not only enhance their understanding and performance in their current military roles but also to translate the skills developed into meaningful employment opportunities across various industry sectors.

Link to signup https://www.cool.osd.mil/

For Military Spouses, Vets, and Active duty

VetsinTech : AWS Security, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, AWS Solutions Architect, SEC+, FullStack, Intro to Python, A+, NET+, CYSA+, PMP.

This platform offers specialized tech-focused educational opportunities designed specifically for members of the military community aspiring to break into the tech industry. In an industry that's rapidly growing and evolving, VetsInTech plays a crucial role in ensuring members get the skills needed to succeed.

Link to signup https://academy.vetsintech.co/

For Spouses, Vets, and Active duty

Boots2Books : Any certification up to $1000

Boots2Books is dedicated to assisting members of the military community in advancing their academic goals or embarking on new professional journeys. By offering job fairs and training resources, this resource supports individuals seeking to further their education, facilitating smoother transitions to civilian careers.

Link to apply https://www.boots2books.com/tPath.html

For Military Spouses, Vets, and Active duty

Institute for Veterans and Military Families - IVMF Onward to Opportunity (O2O): AWS Cloud, A+, LINUX +, SEC +, CASP, SSCP, CISSP, NSE 1-8, NET+, CLOUD+, SERVER+, JSE, SE8, CCNA, ITIL, PMP, CAPM, Six Sigma Green Belt, PHR, aPHR, SPHR, PCEP, PCAP, NDG Linux.

O2O offers comprehensive career training and certification, aligning with the unique experiences of military spouses, veterans, and transitioning service members. The program helps individuals leverage their experience in the civilian job market, providing them with a competitive edge.

Link to signup https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/career-training/o2o-admission/onward-to-opportunity-application/

For Vets, Active duty, (Spouses can apply as well)

Purdue University Northwest Cyber Workforce Certification Training (CWCT): A+, SEC +, CEH, CHFI, Linux, CyberOps.

CWCT prepares active-duty, veterans and first responders with the opportunity to earn certifications in the high-demand field of cybersecurity. As cybersecurity becomes increasingly important, CWCT ensures individuals have the skills and certifications needed to succeed in this field.

Link to signup https://www.pnw.edu/cybersecurity/cwct/steps-to-apply/

For Military Spouses, Vets, Active duty, and College Age Dependant

NPower : ITIL, A+, SEC+, AWS Cloud, AWS Solutions Architect Associate, Google IT Support Certificate.

NPower is an organization dedicated to helping veterans, military spouses and their college age dependents transition into the tech industry. They offer free tech training, certification programs, and career development resources tailored specifically for the unique needs. By focusing on the fast-growing tech sector, NPower bridges the gap between military service and civilian tech careers. They not only provide technical training but also assist with job placement, ensuring individuals have the support they need to successfully navigate this transition.

Link to signup https://www.npower.org/apply/

For Military Spouses, Vets, and Active duty

ServiceNow Early Careers : NextGen programs ServiceNow System Administration.

ServiceNow provides specialized training and certification in its cloud computing platform, emphasizing digital workflow management. This program arms candidates with sought-after IT and business process management skills, opening doors to significant roles across multiple industries and fostering advancement in the tech sector.

Link to signup https://nextgeneration.service-now.com/skillbridge

For Military Spouses, Vets, and Active duty

SANS Institute SANS Cyber Academy VET Success : GSEC, GCIH, and seven other certs to choose from GCFE, GISP, GCED, GCIA, GMON, GWAPT, GPEN

Offers specialized cybersecurity training and certifications for the military community, utilizing SANS's rigorous and advanced courses. Equips their students with essential cybersecurity skills and credentials, enhancing employability in high-demand tech sectors that value precision and analytical abilities, aligning well with veterans' skills.

Link to signup https://www.sans.org/cyber-academy/

For Vets

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VET TEC: AWS, DevOps, AWS Web Services, CSIS, Sec+, Net+, Cloud+, Java

VET TEC, a program by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, is specifically tailored for veterans looking to fast-track their entry into high-technology career fields. This program covers a wide range of tech-related training, from information science to computer programming, without using up GI Bill entitlements. Additionally, veterans receive a housing stipend, making it financially feasible to focus on training. VET TEC is a game-changer for veterans aspiring to tech careers. It addresses a crucial need: equipping veterans with current, marketable skills in a rapidly evolving job market. The program not only provides education in high-demand tech fields but also facilitates connections with leading employers in the tech industry. This strategic approach ensures that veterans are not just trained but are also seen as competitive candidates for meaningful employment in the technology sector.

Link to signup https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/vettec-high-tech-program/

Currently on pause at the moment.

For Military spouses

My Career Advancement Account Scholarship (MyCAA) Any certification up to $4,000

For Spouses of service members on active duty in pay grades E-1 to E-6, W-1 to W-2 and O-1 to O-3 MyCAA provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance to military spouses pursuing licenses, certifications, or Associate degrees in a range of career fields and occupations. This program empowers military spouses to gain relevant, marketable skills and credentials, enhancing their job prospects and supporting career advancement, especially during frequent relocations.

Link to signup https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa/

For Military Spouses, Vets, Active duty (College Age Dependents for Splunk)

ACT Now Education : SEC+, NET+ Project+, Scrum PSM1, PMP, DASSM Splunk Core User, Splunk Advance User, Splunk Power, SHMR, and CISSP

ACT Now Education is a Nonproft with a team of volunteers that goes above and beyond offering courses; we have built a community for FREE educational and career support with over 69,000 members within the military community. Our platform offers a holistic approach to career development, focusing on both skill-building and community support. We also provide free one access to Coursera 7,000 course category to include the 34+ certificates, some of which are worth college credit, totaling up to 201 college credits for free below is a short list of some of the certificates offered.

Google: Project Management Professional Certificate, Data Analytics Professional Certificate, UX Design Professional Certificate, IT Support Professional Certificate, IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate, Cloud Networking Professional Certificate

IBM: Full Stack Cloud Developer Professional Certificate, Data Analyst Professional Certificate, Data Science Professional Certificate, Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, Machine Learning Professional Certificate, Applied AI Professional Certificate.

And more.

Link to signup https://actnoweducation.org/programs

Join our Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/ACTNOWEDUCATIONGROUP

Cohorts are currently on pause at the moment.

"Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking."

– William Butler Yeats

These resources offer more than just free certifications; they provide a foundation for veterans, military spouses and service members to build successful civilian careers. They recognize the unique skills and experiences of veterans and military spouses offering tailored pathways to new opportunities. As a member of the military community, it’s essential to explore these options and take proactive steps towards a fulfilling post-military life.

My Call to Action For You:

Share this information with fellow military spouses, veterans and service members. Together, we can support each other in unlocking new horizons and achieving success beyond our service.

#ACTNowEducation #Veterans #CareerTransition #FreeResources #Empowerment