One of the ways you can gain additional training is through continuing education, which can include attending college classes or enrolling in distance education. The latter has become one of the most popular because it allows you to study in your spare time, at your own pace, and in the convenience of your home or office. Distance education is especially suited for busy people who wish to gain additional skills without giving up their current jobs. This “learn-while-you-earn” opportunity distance education offers is popular. For those out of work (the U.S. Department of Labor says there are currently 7.9 million people unemployed in the United States), enrolling in a distance education course can be a quick and convenient way to train for a new career. It’s also an ideal way for those employed to enhance their skills and become a more valuable employee. According to the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), a nationally recognized accrediting agency, more than 130 million Americans have studied at DETC member institutions since 1890.

The Wellspring, an online community of distance educators, says the number of distance education programs offered by community colleges and universities across the United States and Canada is “increasing at a phenomenal rate.” In Virtual College, author Pam Dixon estimates that there are currently five to seven million people participating in various forms of distance learning.

Almost any field of interest imaginable is available via distance education, including architecture, engineering, computer programming, and jewelry – to name just a few. Each field also contains specialities. For example, positions in the gem and jewelry industry can range from identifying and grading gemstones to designing or manufacturing the latest jewelry, and from selling jewelry to managing a retail jewelry store. Each of these requires specialized training. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), in Carlsbad, Calif., offers many distance education programs – along with its On Campus programs. GIA is recognized as a leading educational institution for this industry. GIA educational officials say training for a position in retail jewelry sales via distance education is one of the easiest ways to start a career in the gem and jewelry industry.

And opportunities in this field are expected to be plentiful. Industry experts estimate there are approximately 250,000 employed in retail jewelry sales in the U.S. A retail jewelry sales position can also lead to a substantial income for top sales professionals, and commissions can add even more to the income, according to GIA.

For more information on training for a career in the gem and jewelry industry, call GIA at 800-421-7250, ext. 4001, or go to www.gia.edu.

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