Upskilling Pathways
Cultivating Your Next Chapter
Fairfax County and Northern Virginia offer countless opportunities to learn, adapt, and thrive—whether you’re pursuing a degree, advancing your career, or exploring new fields. With 60+ colleges and universities, nationally ranked programs, and innovative learning options, you can gain the knowledge and credentials needed to meet the demands of today’s—and tomorrow’s—job market.
Explore education and upskilling pathways designed to help you thrive at any stage of your career.
Fast Facts
Educational Attainment with 51.7% having a Bachelor’s Degree of Higher
CBRE Scoring Tech Talent, 2022Higher Ed Students in the Greater Washington Region
Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, 2024Largest Multi-Campus Community College in the U.S. - Northern Virginia Community College
Campus Explorer, 2024
Career Advancement Resources
AI & Digital Skills
Access free and low-cost online training in areas like AI, data analytics, project management, and digital marketing.
Explore thousands of courses in technology, business, and creative skills to enhance your professional toolkit.
Access free courses, hands-on projects, and digital credentials in high-demand fields like cybersecurity, data analysis, and emerging technologies.
Learn cloud computing, AI/ML fundamentals, networking, and cybersecurity through self-paced modules.
Expand your skills in cloud, AI, and other AWS services with hands-on labs and guided learning paths.
Career & Professional Development
Complete short-term, affordable workforce training that prepare Virginians for in-demand jobs in industries like healthcare, IT, skilled trades, and manufacturing.
George Mason University Continuing Education Unit
Maintain professional licenses or prepare for advanced career opportunities with flexible courses.
Build expertise in digital marketing, advertising, and social media strategy.
Learn CRM management, workflow automation, coding, and customer service skills.
Gain skills in inbound marketing, SEO, and content strategy with industry-recognized certifications.
Specialized & Community Programs
Awards college credit for military experience, FastForward training, on-the-job industry certifications, professional licensure, and prior academic learning.
Training and education program for students with a family income of less than $100,000 to help prepare them for high-demand careers in Virginia.
Earn digital credentials in data analytics, software engineering, and other high-demand tech skills through flexible, employer-aligned courses.
Access free, hands-on cybersecurity training and certifications to help launch or advance a career in the cyber workforce.
Onward to Opportunity (O2O) Learning Pathways
Receive free career preparation, certification training, and job placement support for service members, veterans, and military spouses in fields like customer service, IT, and business management.
Additional Tools
Explore career paths, analyze your skills, discover new opportunities, and prepare for interviews with these interactive tools: Career Dreamer and Interview Warmup.
Get personalized tutoring, skill guidance, and learning support across multiple subjects.
Access self-paced technical training with the option to earn free industry certifications.
Higher Education in Northern Virginia
Looking for a top-tier higher educational institution that will set you on the right career path? Northern Virginia has plenty of options, including private universities like the University of Northern Virginia and the newly opened Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, and public ones like Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University, which has 10 graduate programs in the top 30 nationally.
And, if you’re seeking inclusive financial assistance, the University of Virginia has been recognized for both its academic excellence and outstanding value, having ranked No. 2 for best value public university by the Princeton Review.
Higher Education Engagement
Discover Northern Virginia’s Colleges, Universities, and Career Pathways
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