Set Realistic Goals
Encouraging clients to pursue their dreams is important, but setting unrealistic goals can lead to setbacks. Start by conducting an assessment of their interests and abilities to get a better idea of their readiness for post-secondary education. This will help you determine the best path forward.
For most of your clients, breaking up their goals into smaller steps will be the most accessible way to achieve them. For example, if you have a client who wants to become a high-level cybersecurity professional but doesn’t have the experience or qualifications, you can start them off in an entry-level program where they can gain the fundamentals they need before taking the next step.
Choose the Right Program
Once your clients have a clear idea of what they want to achieve, your next step is to help them find the right program. Short-term online programs are ideal for clients balancing family or work commitments that limit in-person learning.
Online job training providers like MedCerts offer structures designed to support clients’ success. Because these programs are designed for non-traditional learners, they’re particularly well-positioned to work with your clients by offering services such as Student Success Advisors who will work with them to overcome obstacles to completing the program.
Programs such as MedCerts also make your job easier by accepting funding options such as workforce grants, which can make the program free for many of your clients. If your client doesn’t qualify for workforce grants, they can often take advantage of other funding opportunities to make their program affordable.
Create a Detailed Support Plan for Student Success
The best way to overcome obstacles to success is to anticipate them and plan for them in advance. Consider your client’s personal circumstances and what hurdles they may face in completing their program. Do they need reliable internet access to attend online classes? Is their home environment conducive to studying?
By asking these questions ahead of time, you can help your client develop a plan for overcoming obstacles. If they don’t have a quiet place to study, you can point them towards options such as studying in the local library. If they need internet access, you can match them with community resources that can provide it.
Plan Ahead for Client Success
By anticipating challenges and developing a plan to overcome them — including finding the right program and community resources — you can help your clients get the job training they need to unlock a rewarding career and a brighter future.
