Continuing Education

Website: http://conted.waketech.edu

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Wake Technical Community College plays an active role in the continuing education of the citizens of the Capital area. The College's Continuing Education programs provide courses for those who need to train, retrain, and update themselves in a vocational or professional area, for those who desire instruction enabling them to grow in basic knowledge, improve in home and community life, and develop or improve leisure time activities, and for those individuals whose education stopped short of high school graduation.

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Wake Technical Community College awards Continuing Education Units (CEU's) for non-credit courses and special activities. A permanent transcript will be established for each non-credit student. The transcript will be updated each time the student completes a non-credit course. CEU's will be awarded for non-credit courses satisfactorily completed on the basis of one CEU for each ten hours of instruction. Fractions of CEU's will be awarded. Thus, a 66-hour course meeting three hours per evening, two evenings per week for eleven weeks will earn the student 6.6 CEU's. CEU's will not be awarded to students who fail to complete a course satisfactorily. Certificates will be awarded upon completion of courses that earn CEU's.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools became the first regional accrediting agency to require that all member institutions use the CEU to document non-credit special activities.

Students who have taken non-credit classes may request copies of their official transcripts by going to http://registration.curred.waketech.edu/transcripts.php.

Continuing Education Grading Policy
All classes except Adult High School classes use the S-U system.

*CEU's are not awarded with these grades.

ADULT HIGH SCHOOL
Adult High School classes use the A-F system.

Any adult, 18 years of age or older and not enrolled in public school, may be admitted to an adult education class. In extenuating circumstances, and upon the approval of the appropriate public school principal or superintendent, a person 16-18 years of age may enroll in certain courses. A course schedule is published and made available to the public prior to the beginning of each term. Information about all continuing education classes may be obtained by calling the college at 919-866-5800 or on the web in my webadvisor.

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Many continuing education courses and services are provided on the main campus. Other classes are conducted in surrounding communities or within a particular business or industry in Wake County. Almost any course can and will be organized in other areas of the county when a sufficient number of citizens indicate an interest in having a class brought to a particular location, providing there's an instructor and suitable facility.

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Special provision legislation states that "Community colleges may permit a student to repeat a course more than once if that student demonstrates that the course repetition is required by standards governing the certificate or licensing program in which the student is enrolled."

A minimum registration fee will be charged those who have taken an occupational extension class more than twice in a five-year period and who are not exempt. (See Expenses section regarding exemptions.) An individual who takes a course more than twice will pay at least the amount an individual will pay who has taken it less than twice. A predetermined rate of $6.18 per scheduled hour will be charged to those individuals who have taken an occupational extension class more than twice and are not otherwise exempt.

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Although course descriptions for continuing education courses are not provided in this publication, examples of the types of courses that are offered are listed. Specific course descriptions are furnished upon request. Courses, in addition to those listed in this publication, may be offered to meet expressed needs of the community when evidence of these needs is presented to the College.

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A registration fee is charged for Community Service and Occupational Extension Continuing Education courses:

There is an additional fee for classes held at Community Schools.

Self-supporting classes have a pro-rated cost per individual or group and are not waiver eligible.

The registration fee may be waived for students enrolling in special classes for fire service, rescue, and law enforcement personnel, Wake Technical Community College full-time employees (one course per term), citizens over the age of 65 (up to 96 hours per term), and prison inmates. The registration fee is not charged for Adult Basic Education programs, for preparatory instructional programs for the High School Diploma Equivalency Certificate (GED), for the Adult High School Diploma program, or for English as a Second Language program. There is a $7.50 fee for final GED testing.

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Refund requests and withdrawals must be made in writing by the student (no exceptions). Refund request forms are available at each class site. A request for refund may be made by letter.

A 100-percent refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from the class before the first class meeting by submitting a written request.

A 75-percent refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from the class prior to or on the 10-percent date of scheduled hours. Community school, facility, and lab fees are not refundable.

A full refund shall be made for classes canceled by the College. You do not have to request a refund.

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Transfers to a different course in the same semester are allowed up until the 10-percent point of the total number of hours in both classes. A student may not transfer to a course that has passed the 10-percent point. Transfers from one semester to another are not allowed.

Transfer requests must be in writing. Requests received after the 10-percent deadline will not be considered, and a refund will not be processed.

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Wake Tech admits all adults into the College and makes every effort to place students in programs where they can experience success and meet their goals. Basic Skills offers educational opportunities in several areas, including Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Educational Development (GED), Adult High School (AHS), English as a Second Language (ESL), and Compensatory Education (CED). Placement into these programs is determined by standardized assessment tools. If students do not demonstrate progress in their placement level within 50 hours of attendance, they will be moved to another level in Basic Skills or referred to other College programs or an appropriate agency.

POLICY ON ADMISSION OF MINORS, NON-HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES, INTO THE BASIC SKILLS PROGRAM
This policy applies to Wake Technical Community College and is in addition to State Board of Community College policies as published in North Carolina Administrative Code, 23 NCAC 2C.0301, Admission to Colleges and 23 NCAC 2C.0305, Education Services for Minors. This policy specifically addresses non-high school graduates' admission into the Basic Skills Program excluding English as a Second Language (ESL):

Non-high school graduates who are 16 or 17 years of age will not be allowed to enroll in the Basic Skills Program before a minimum of six months from the official date of withdrawal from a public or private high school or from a home school program.

The student must exhaust any suspension period given the student by a public or private high school or a home school program in addition to the College's six-month waiting period before being eligible for enrollment in the College's Basic Skills Program.

The Administration of Wake Technical Community College has the express authority of the Board of Trustees to implement necessary procedures for enforcement and regulation of this policy.

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Basic Skills programs are offered throughout Wake County to help adults:

1. Learn to read.
2. Improve math, reading, and writing skills.
3. Earn an adult high school diploma or GED high school diploma equivalency.
4. Learn English as a second language.
5. Develop basic skills needed in the work place.

Basic Skills programs also help:

1. Developmentally disabled persons achieve their potential.
2. Families strengthen literacy skills and family bonds.
3. Underemployed/unemployed persons prepare for employment or further education.
4. Business and industry develop a highly skilled work force.

ADULT BASIC EDUCATION
Adult Basic Education is designed to assist individuals who need to improve their skills in reading, writing, and/or mathematics. Instruction covers the fundamentals of mathematics, reading, and oral and written communications.

There are no fees or charges of any kind. All materials have been especially prepared for adults and instructional plans emphasize individual needs and interests. Students enroll in Adult Basic Education to improve skills for the work place, achieve personal goals, and/or enroll in one of the College's high school completion programs. Classes are offered on the main campus, at the Adult Education Center, and at community sites throughout Wake County.

GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (GED)
The General Educational Development program offers instruction for adults who are preparing for the GED exam. Instruction covers high school level reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies skills. Students may prepare for the exam on the main campus, at the Adult Education Center, at a community site, and also by enrolling in the college's GED online program. Materials are provided to students, and there is no tuition.

Those achieving a passing score on all five sections of the exam receive a high school equivalency diploma from the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges. The GED is generally recognized as a high school equivalency for purposes of college admission and employment.

Wake Technical Community College has two GED Testing Centers, one located on the main campus and the other at the Adult Education Center. Students are required to pay a (one-time only) $7.50 testing fee when they take the official GED exam.

ADULT HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
The Adult High School Diploma program is provided through a cooperative arrangement between Wake Technical Community College and the Wake County Board of Education with the College serving as the administering agency. Adult High School provides academic courses in a lab setting. Students are placed in courses in English, mathematics, social studies, science, and in electives based on their previous high school transcripts and acceptable scores on a standard battery of tests administered prior to program admission.

The Adult High School diploma program is offered at the Adult Education Center. Upon completion of "job ready" activities, the required credits, and successful completion of the North Carolina Competency Test, students are awarded an adult high school diploma. There are no tuition fees; however, students must purchase some books and materials.

COMPENSATORY EDUCATION
Compensatory Education is for adults with developmental disabilities who want to improve their academic, social, and vocational skills and achieve their full potential. The Compensatory Education program operates year-round in close coordination with mental health professionals and agencies.

In addition to classes offered in cooperation with area service providers and agencies, some locations serve students from the broader community. Parents or guardians of adults with developmental disabilities who would like additional information about the program should contact the Compensatory Education coordinator. The program is offered free of charge.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
English as a Second Language (ESL) is designed for students whose native language is not English. The program focuses on addressing English for life skills, such as filling out various forms, seeking medical attention, or helping parents of young children to navigate the public school system. ESL classes give students the opportunity to increase their level of communication with emphasis on speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Instructors also assist students in pre-employment preparation, community interaction, cultural enrichment, and professional and academic advancement.

ESL classes are offered free of charge at the Adult Education Center and various locations throughout the county. Students may enroll at any location until the classes are full.

HEP PROGRAM

The High School Equivalency Program (HEP) is a grant from the United States Department of Education, Migrant Education Division, to Wake Technical Community College and a collation of service organizations to provide migrant and seasonal farm workers and their families the necessary training to obtain a GED (high school equivalency certificate).

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The BioNetwork Capstone Center provides affordable, high-quality, hands-on training in biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and biopharmaceutical/pharmaceutical operations in a simulated industrial (cGMP) environment. The Capstone Center is also home to the Validation Academy, which provides training and education in the philosophies and skills of validation.
Importantly, short-course training (1-5 days) at the Capstone Center is carried out by highly qualified professionals with extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical/biomanufacturing industry.

The Capstone Center is situated in the Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) on the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University. Built in 2007 at a cost exceeding $38 million, the BTEC is the largest facility of its kind in the nation. It provides a training environment that mirrors a biomanufacturing plant facility. The Capstone Center's training facilities within BTEC include state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, and a certified cleanroom suite.

The Capstone Center serves:

• Incumbent workers
• New hires
• Workers in job transition
• Community college and college students enrolled in the life sciences, especially those in biotechnology-related degree and certificate programs, providing an invaluable extended hands-on learning experience
• College/university and community college faculty.

Four certificates are offered by the Capstone Center, including a Certificate in Biomanufacturing and a Certificate in Analytical Lab Skills. Course offerings focus upon a variety of critical skill sets within areas important to biomanufacturing: good manufacturing practices, aseptic manufacturing, operations in biotechnology processes, industrial microbiology, good laboratory practices, HPLC, and validation.

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In today's fast-paced digital economy, businesses must seek new knowledge and leverage new technologies if they are to survive and grow. The Business and Industry Services Division serves the lifelong learning needs of the business community.

The Business and Industry Center (BIC) is located at the Western Wake Campus in Cary where it provides classes and seminars. It also offers customized employee training at employer sites as well as other area locations, including our new Northern Campus.

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING
Wake Tech has been designated by the North Carolina Community College System as a center for formal apprenticeship training. The College assists companies that are participating in a customized apprenticeship training program by providing the related classroom instruction.

FOCUSED INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (FIT)
Wake Tech assists area industries in training and retraining employees with courses that range from basic fundamental skills to sophisticated technical skills to skills in supervision, management, PLC, CNC, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, Welding, Electricity and more.

CUSTOMIZED TRAINING PROGRAM (CIT)
The customized training program supports the economic development efforts of the State by providing training assistance for eligible business and industries. This enhances the growth potential of companies located in the state while simultaneously preparing North Carolina's workforce with the skills essential to successful employment in emerging industries.

PROFESSINAL DEVELOPMENT AND CORPORATE TRAINING
To meet the supervisory and managerial needs of business and industry, Wake Tech offers management development programs in sales training, computer skills, problem solving, office occupations, project management, import logistics and international marketing.

SMALL BUSINESS CENTER (SBC)
Wake Tech's Small Business Center (SBC) works to increase the success rate and number of viable small businesses in North Carolina by providing high quality, readily accessible assistance to prospective and existing small business owners and their employees. The Small Business Center provides education and training, information, and referral.

The Small Business Center has a library of printed materials available to assist with small business research and problem solving. The library includes books, pamphlets, magazines, trade journals, and a wide variety of tapes and videos.

Confidential counseling services and access to resource libraries are free of charge along with seminars and workshops.

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CONTINUING EDUCATION REGISTRAR
This department ensures accuracy and quality in all Continuing Education programs to comply with the NC General Statues, Title 23 of the NC Administrative Code, Continuing Education Guidelines, Numbered Memoranda and the Colleges' Accountability and Credibility Plan in all of Continuing Education registration and reporting processes.

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HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT (HRD) JOB SKILLS
Human Resources Development (HRD) provides assessment services, employability training, and career development counseling to unemployed and underemployed individuals, ages 18 and older, to prepare them for success in the workplace. Training focuses on helping students obtain and perform successfully in entry-level jobs. Training is based on national skills standards, assessments, and certifications that enhance participants’ ability to compete effectively in the high-tech, high-performance, global economy. Courses are designed to enhance students’ skills and improve their employment opportunities. Class length and times vary.

The Employability Skills Training Component is the centerpiece around which the other four HRD core training components revolve. This training component is broken down into five subsets: Job Preparation, Job-Seeking Skills, Job-Keeping Skills, Lifelong Learning, and Life Skills.

NONCREDIT COMPUTER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
The goals of the Noncredit Computer Education Department are to enrich personal and workplace computer skills and to enhance opportunities for employment and job advancement.

The department consists of continuing education classes taught at various campus sites, including the State Personnel Development Center (SPDC), and online, such as Education-to-Go (ed2go).

SPANISH PROGRAMS
The Spanish Program Department provides language instruction for students at all levels, from beginner to advanced level. The goal is to build language skills for personal enrichment and enhance employment opportunities in various fields of work. Classes from beginning Spanish to advanced immersion are available to help students improve and develop understanding and communication. The Spanish Programs also offer basic computer skills, sewing, cake decorating, and other classes in Spanish to meet the needs and interests of the Hispanic/Latino population.

Command Spanish, one of the programs offered by the Spanish Programs Department, is non-grammar based training designed to provide employers a practical way to provide professional development for their employees. The program helps employees learn and use limited amounts of everyday Spanish. The training is offered at Wake Tech locations and is also provided on site at businesses and organizations, during day or evening hours.

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OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING AND UPGRADING
An ongoing priority of Wake Technical Community College is to offer evening and weekend programs that provide non-credit courses appropriate to the needs of the working adult. These programs focus on assisting adult students, who are primarily part-time students, in developing new skills to obtain employment or to change career paths, and on helping students upgrade their skills to maintain employment. Programs for personal development are also offered in the evening.

Occupational training and upgrading courses provide training for specific job skills essential to successful employment.

New skills are taught and present skills are updated in order to make an employee more efficient on the job, to improve the chances for advancement to a new job, or to meet legislated requirements. The following are examples of the large variety of courses offered for this purpose:

1. Automotive Repair
2. Building Trades
3. Business Management
4. Computer Skills
5. Electrical-Electronics Trade
6. Foreign Languages
7. Internet-based Instruction
8. Machine Trades & Welding
9. Medical Terminology, Coding, and Transcription
10. Plumbing
11. Real Estate Updates

LATERAL ENTRY PROGRAM
Lateral Entry is an alternative route to obtaining a North Carolina teaching license. Eligible individuals must have completed a Bachelor's degree (at least 2.5 GPA) and have 24 credit hours completed in the subject area they wish to teach.

Wake Tech offers several Lateral Entry competencies through curriculum and continuing education courses.

WAKE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL PROGRAM
The goal of Community Schools is to make quality educational and recreational experiences available in convenient locations at reasonable costs. Through interagency cooperation a variety of offerings are provided for the general public. Wake Technical Community College actively supports and participates in this program by offering numerous credit and continuing education courses at local schools four evenings per week.

EVENING CURRICULUM PROGRAM OFFERINGS
For detailed information concerning Wake Tech's Evening Program offerings, refer to those sections of this catalog that contain descriptions of the day offerings. Current curriculum programs offered in the evening and on Saturdays include:

1. COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY TRANSFER
2. GENERAL EDUCATION
3. ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE
   DIPLOMAS
4. PREPARATORY COURSES

WEEKEND PROGRAMS
Computer Programming:
Internet Programming
Visual Basic Programming
Early Childhood Credential Courses
Information Systems:Networking
Networking Technology:MCSE
Visual Basic Certificate

Assorted courses from other curricula are also offered evenings and Saturdays.

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The following program areas provide training to public safety personnel and to persons who wish to increase their individual competencies in specialized occupational areas.

HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES
Courses are designed to meet the needs of local EMS agencies, healthcare providers, and the public with emphasis on emergency patient care in traditional pre-hospital and non traditional environments. Health education courses are also designed to assist individuals desiring employment or retraining in health institutions or related fields.

FIRE SERVICE TRAINING
Fire Service Training is delivered directly to individual fire departments. Training held in local fire departments allows personnel to utilize equipment they will actually use in controlling fires. Fire Service classes include:

• Arson and Unlawful Burning
• Fire Apparatus Practices
• Fire Fighting Practices
• Forcible Entry
• Hazardous Materials
• Ladder Practices
• Portable Fire Extinguishers
• Protective Breathing Equipment
• Rescue Practices
• Rope Practices
• Salvage and Overhaul Practices
• The Company Officer
• Ventilation

Related courses in Fire Service Training include industrial brigade training, home fire safety, search, and rescue.

SERVICE OCCUPATIONS
This program trains individuals in the area of food service, lodging, travel information, and nursing assistant. The primary objectives include providing employers with well-trained personnel to operate their business and developing individuals with skills that will qualify them for better employment opportunities. Hospitality training is arranged and scheduled in accordance with the needs of the industry.

CORRECTIONS EDUCATION
Corrections Education is delivered to immured individuals in Wake County's judicial system.The primary purpose of the training is to increase the safety of the general public by reducing the recidivism rate through training. Vocational training is also provided in the areas of plumbing, electrical wiring, heating and air conditioning and carpentry.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY
Public Safety and Homeland Security courses are designed as in-service and pre-service education for those engaged in law enforcement activities and are provided at the request of these agencies. Program emphasis is on legal and technological law enforcement advancements. Courses such as the following are offered in many areas:

• Child Passenger Safety Training
• Community Policing
• Criminal Investigation
• Domestic Disturbance Response
• D.W.I. Detection
• Effective Report Writing
• Firearms Training
• First-Line Supervision
• Homeland Security
• Juvenile Law
• Laws of Arrest, Search, and Seizure
• Motor Vehicle Laws
• Narcotics Investigation
• Radar Certification
• Spanish for Law Enforcement
• Traffic Accident Investigation

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LOCATION
Main Campus (401 South) in Holding Hall, Room 131

PHONE
919-866-5800

WEBSITE
http://conted.waketech.edu/

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PLUS-50 INITIATIVE
Plus 50 is a program for adults 50 and over, designed to support wellness, lifelong learning, and “creative retirement” through a variety of classes offered at the Western Wake Campus of Wake Technical Community College. This program is for “baby boomers” who are getting ready to retire or want to transition from their current careers to a new “encore” career. Participants will learn how to translate previous successes into service to the community by working in leadership roles in the non-profit sector. Encore classes and workshops include human services, retirement planning, health care, and others.

LATERAL ENTRY PROGRAM
Lateral Entry is an alternative route to obtaining a North Carolina teaching license.  Eligible individuals must have completed a Bachelor’s degree (at least 2.5 GPA) and have 24 credit hours completed in the subject area they wish to teach.
Wake Tech offers several Lateral Entry competencies through curriculum and continuing education courses.

GRANTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS
This department provides program management for division and departmental projects, develops program strategies, goals, and time frames for program implementation, and seeks funding to implement and sustain new and existing programs for workforce development through special projects and grants.

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