Upskilling
Forget the Career Ladder—Forge Your Own Path
Looking for a job in Northern Virginia? We’re here to help connect you with top employers throughout the region in a range of fields, from tech to sales to nursing.
Today’s employees will make five to seven career changes over their working lives – and Northern Virginia is the center of modern career opportunity. Whether you simply need a change of pace or have yet to discover your passion, you can safely take the leap in Northern Virginia thanks to our ample resources dedicated to helping people upskill, retrain or switch industries altogether. Access resources below to help you get started with your job search.
Quickly train and kickstart your career with FastForward
FastForward offers both in-person and virtual training options- many of which take mere weeks to complete compared to years. If you’re interested in upgrading your career and ultimately your salary, browse FastForward’s credentials from healthcare to IT to manufacturing and logistics.
Top 25 In-Demand Occupations
GMU Continuing and Professional Education
Mason Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) brings the best of the university to professionals seeking to advance in their careers. Each year, more than 3,000 students gain new skills through transformative learning at Mason CPE, which has 35 years of experience providing technical knowledge and industry-based micro-credentials and professional certificates.
Digital Technology Credential
Are you a student considering a career in tech? Gain in-demand capabilities to get the most out of your field of study with this credential program designed in partnership with Capital Region universities and preeminent businesses.
Jumpstart Your Career
Northern Virginia is ripe with resources to help you jumpstart or elevate your career whether you’re entry-level or senior in your field.
Virginia Career Works – Northern Region offers job seekers everything from career coaching to comprehensive assessments and skills upgrading. FastForward offers a variety of credential training programs that will make hire-ready in no time. Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) offers online programs to help you earn a degree or upskill from home. NOVA Workforce has numerous course options available from Business & Management to IT & Computer Skills (many of which are held online through Zoom).
For more on Northern Virginia’s top-tier colleges and universities, visit our Higher Education page.
The Path to Tech or Cybersecurity Career
Looking to get into tech? College students can apply for Capital CoLAB’s Digital Technology Credential, which allows students to learn essential tech skills while in school, and graduate qualified for tech jobs in the Capital Region, which have a median salary of $104,300.
If you are interested in cyber security, this 8-week program provides the practical skills in computers, technology, and security fundamentals needed to launch your career in cybersecurity. Check out VA Cyber Reskilling Academy with little-to-no cyber/IT experience needed!
Other programs such as Revature and Smoothstack allow you to get hands-on training and experience in tech, and then help you land a job in IT at innovative, reputable companies in the region.
Empowering Experienced Professionals
40Plus of Greater Washington is a volunteer-run non-profit organization with a 67-year track record of training and empowering Washington D.C. area professionals for successful career transitions. Come check out the Monday Morning Speaker Series and Career Transition Skills course.