High-demand careers with short-term training offer the opportunity to quickly enter the workforce and enjoy jobs with long-term growth potential. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 14 percent growth rate for all U.S. occupations from 2010 to 2020. However, high-demand careers -- many of which are in the health care industry -- are increasing at a much faster rate. And the high demand jobs with short-term training require minimal education and brief on-the-job training.

Home Health and Personal Care Aides

The BLS projects a 70 percent increase in demand for home health and personal care aides from 2010 to 2020, making this the fastest-growing job category among those surveyed. Home health and personal care aides care for people who are sick or disabled, providing such services as laundry, cooking, bathing and light housekeeping. The educational requirement for home health and personal care aides is a high school diploma, followed by short-term on-the-job training. According to salary data from the BLS, home health aides earned an average income of $21,830 a year as of May 2012, while personal care aides averaged $20,830.

Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides

The BLS expects employment of occupational therapy assistants to increase by 43 percent from 2010 to 2020, while jobs for occupational therapy aides should grow by 33 percent. Occupational therapy assistants help patients perform stretches and other therapeutic exercises, in addition to teaching them how to use specific medical equipment and devices. Occupational therapy aides handle administrative tasks such as billing, scheduling appointments and answering the telephones. Occupational therapy assistants need an associate degree, while aides need a high school diploma and a short period of on-the-job training. Occupational therapy assistants earned an average of $53,090 a year in 2012, while occupational therapy aides earned $29,870.

Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienist jobs are expected to grow by 38 percent from 2010 to 2020, according to the BLS. Dental hygienists clean and polish teeth, take and develop X-rays and instruct patients on proper oral hygienic techniques. They need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene, where they gain clinical, laboratory and classroom instruction. Because they are expected to learn their skills in school, they have no on-the-job training requirements. Dental hygienists earned a median annual wage of $70,700 as of May 2012.

Cargo and Freight Agents

Demand for cargo and freight agents should increase by 29 percent from 2010 to 2020, according to BLS data. These workers handle shipments through planes, trains and trucks, coordinate logistics with shipping and freight companies, negotiate rates and prepare invoices and other shipping documents. The educational requirement for cargo and freight agents is a high school diploma, and there is short-term on-the-job training provided. Cargo and freight agents earned an average of $42,310 a year as of May 2012.