By Holly Desrosier
The Craven Community College (Craven CC) Workforce Development (WFD) department is offering a variety of short-term classes this spring to help students acquire job skills. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in developing skills for a new career or enhancing existing ones for a current job.
WFD courses differ from more traditional curriculum courses in that they provide courses that refresh or improve occupational skills and knowledge of individuals at all levels of labor and management. They also offer services to small businesses and meet training needs of new and expanding industries. Successful completion of programs from dozens of fields can lead to licensure or certification and set the stage for a rewarding career.
Some upcoming classes include: Phlebotomy (Feb. 8 on Havelock campus and Feb. 9 on New Bern campus), Notary Public (Feb. 13), Basic Rider Motorcycle Safety (Feb. 20), Auto Safety Inspection (Feb. 23) and CDL Truck Driver Training (March 15).
Several are also available on the Volt Center campus, including NCCER Carpentry 1 & 2 (Feb. 8), 8-Week Hazardous Waste Operator Refresher (Feb. 11), 56-Hour Forklift Operator (March 6) and Powered Industrial Trucks (March 10).
“These programs are perfect for working students who want to get a leg up in their current industry or for anyone seeking a new field,” said Jeff Schulze, director of trade programs. “Eastern North Carolina is always in need of skilled workers.”
Many programs listed above offer online registration and have additional classes scheduled at later dates. There are also several other WFD classes being offered later this spring. The Volt Center also offers multiple fast-track Manufacturing Career Pathway programs through partnerships with local manufacturers BSH, Moen and DRADURA, which can lead to immediate employment.
Several WFD programs offer a Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) scholarship for eligible students. GEER scholarships are awarded to eligible community college students who are in workforce continuing education and pursuing high-demand workforce training programs within certain pathways that lead to a state or industry-recognized credential. Scholarships are awarded based on student need, local industry needs, number of eligible students and cost of the course, up to a maximum of either $750 per course or the cost of course fees if it exceeds $750. Scholarships help cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies, credentialing tests, transportation, childcare and other components as deemed necessary.
To be considered, students must submit a completed GEER application to the college’s Financial Aid office in Barker Hall on the New Bern campus, or the WFD department in the Brock Administration building. Applications may be obtained from the WFD department.
Anyone interested in learning more about Craven CC’s WFD program offerings is encouraged to call 252-638-7248 or visit www.cravencc.edu/wfd. For Volt Center programs, visit www.cravencc.edu/volt or call 252-633-0857.
This article was originally published in the New Bern Sun Journal on February 3, 2020.