Career Academies

Career Header 

Are you ready to make $15-25 an hour in six months or less? Discover Kalamazoo Valley’s Career Academies and be ready for in-demand careers today!

Academies Offered

Cell Tower Technician

Corrections Officer

Law Enforcement Training

Patient Care

Phlebotomy

Wind Turbine Technician

Career Academies are skill-focused, employer-driven training programs that prepare students for in-demand jobs in growing and diversifying industries.

Candidates must be selected to take part in Career Academy programming. The selection process is based on each industry’s specific requirements for employment. Applicants must successfully complete an application, pass prerequisite testing, interview, and meet applicable physical requirements to take part in the training.

Getting students into the workforce fast is our mission. We’re proud of our results: more than 96% of our wind turbine technician academy alumni obtain gainful employment within a few months of graduating. Many have transitioned into leadership roles within their company. Over 92% of our police academy alumni work in law enforcement - the highest in the state! (compared to a statewide average of 69%)

Salary Range

Patient Care Assistant (Kalamazoo/Portage)

$20,680 - $38,630

Phlebotomist (Kalamazoo/Portage)

$24,250 - $48,030

Wind Turbine Technician (U.S.)

$37,850 - $80,170

Job Outlook

Because the Career Academies at Kalamazoo Valley Community College are developed in cooperation with industry leaders, participants are prepared for new and emerging careers. Area employers are consulted before academies are launched to ensure that our students are ready for placement in existing jobs. Job prospects for people in the fields of human services, health sciences and skilled trades are expected to continue to rise.

Salary information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program, a semi-annual survey that provides wage and employment statistics for the nation, each state, and sub-state regions.