Sometimes there are really great things hiding in plain view: The Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) Continuing Education program is one of them. The program provides classes in several areas — whether you are looking to get a GED, brush up on technical skills, take a safety course or learn how to reupholster furniture, there is pretty much something for everyone.

Whether it’s an individual looking to improve or acquire basic skills or a certifi cate or license, or a business seeking to train employees or to grow the business through the small business center, chances are, an answer can be found at FTCC.

“We are trying to serve the needs of the community whether it is job training for adult high school programs or vocational programs that people enjoy taking or one of the many things in between,” said Dr. Joe Mullis, associate vice president of continuing education at Fayetteville Technical Community College. “That is our focus, to try and provide a wide range of courses that people can take to improve their lives, whether it be for a GED or trying to get job training and job skills or their personal enrichment.”

Starting with the Basics

FTCC Continuing Education provides education to build a strong foundation for basic skills and is divided into several parts:

• The Adult Basic Education program is designed for adults who are weak in reading, writing, speaking, problem solving or computation. Adults seeking a high school diploma have access to the Adult High School Diploma Program.

• The Basic Skills Education Program is offered on Fort Bragg to soldiers to promote retention, increase reenlistment options and improve job performance.

• English as a second language, family literacy classes and General Education Development (GED) classes are offered as well.

Moving up and Moving on

With a solid educational foundation, students have access to classes that are related to workforce preparedness.

• The Human Resource Development Program trains unemployed and underemployed persons by providing classes aimed at educating students in job seeking skills, job search techniques and job retention and advancement strategies.

• Workforce Basic Skills classes play right into getting people matched up with companies that need high quality workers. This program is about improving skills that will lead to enhanced competitiveness for business and industry.

When it comes to learning basic skills, most anyone with a desire to learn can find a home at FTCC. The institution provides distance learning and has a wealth of information that students can access when they need it — and FTCC is looking to take these opportunities into the community.

“We are looking to expand as far as location — we want to be in even more locations throughout the county,” Mullis said. “As technology changes and people need different types of training, we try to provide that to them as effi ciently as we can with things like online classes and other technology-based training. We try to do this with as many of our programs as we can.”

No place to study? No problem

• The basic skills resource center/open lab offers individualized instruction and study opportunities, including employment readiness and advancement training. Computer-assisted instruction, along with a variety of other materials, allows students to learn at their own pace to reach their goals.

• The workforce preparedness center serves adults who are looking to reenter the workforce and need a place to prepare for employment tests and improve their reading, writing or other skills. It also offers free, self-paced computer-assisted instruction to students enrolled in the workforce center.

Business Resources

FTCC not only helps individuals, but it offers a lot to the business community as well. The Customized Training Program supports the economic development efforts of the State of North Carolina by providing education and training opportunities for eligible businesses and industries.

The Industry Services area of Continuing Education supports local industry by customizing educational programs and training courses for employees. The staff is available to assess, design and implement appropriate courses to meet the needs of industry.

Small businesses can also benefit from the Small Business Center. The goal of this program is to increase the success rate of small businesses in Cumberland County and surrounding communities by assisting prospective and established small business persons to reach their full potential by utilizing all resources available to the Network. The center offers free and confi dential business counseling, free seminars and workshops, the N.C. Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning program and an extensive resource library of business planning tools, business books and pamphlets.

“We are trying to do a lot of small business center programs and get out into the community so people can have the opportunity to learn to work with the government or to start a small business,” said Mullis. “These courses are free also. We want to teach people who are interested in how to start a small business or to help them learn how to win government contracts.”

Certification

If the basics are already covered and what’s really needed is a professional certifi cate to update some skills (for individuals or businesses) FTCC can help here, too.

• Individuals can benefi t from a myriad of courses and classes that involve everything for emergency and protective services training. This program includes training for fi re, rescue, EMS, CNA and law enforcement. The courses are offered on campus and at other local facilities like local fi re departments, schools and churches. Many of these classes are offered to the public, but there are a few that are limited to in-service training.

• Occupational extension education offers courses in aviation, business, computer education, general contractor’s license preparation, vocational shop and general interest programs (including such courses as bartending, travel agent, and effective teaching training). These courses are designed to provide training to upgrade a person’s skills or qualifi cations and assist in preparing an individual for a new career.

• If you are new to the job market or looking to refocus your career, check out the JobsNOW Program. It consists of short-term courses and is designed to help in getting some occupational training that can lead to better job opportunities. These courses take six months, at the most — often times much less — and are designed to help folks who have lost their jobs return to the workforce quickly. They include not only technical training but also touch on things like understanding company culture, meeting deadlines and learning to work well with others. The courses offered are certified nursing assistant I, Geriatric Aide, Introduction to HVAC, Introduction to Plumbing, Medical Offi ce Essentials I and II, Phlebotomy and Solar Panel Installation.

Even with all the specialized programs, there are several other classes offered ranging from property management to becoming a notary public or a bank teller, how to use quick books, stress management and more.

Mullis sees growth is a few areas and is working to make sure FTCC stays ahead of the curve in providing training.

“One of the big growth areas we see is in technology as well as the green industry,” Mullis said. “We want to help businesses with that and also train individuals who will be able to work in those fi elds. We see those as having huge growth in the future not only here but around the country.”

Relaxation

Speaking of stress management, many of FTCC’s continuing education classes are the kind that will help you unwind. Always wanted to take up painting? There is a class for you, be it oils, pastels or watercolor. Looking to busy your hands? Try the pottery, matting and framing, basketry or even one of the cooking classes. Energy to burn? Try Hip-hop, Latin or Salsa Zumba classes. Gardening, home improvement, financial planning, creative writing, foreign language and motorcycle safety classes are also offered at FTCC along with music lessons, quilting, crocheting, sewing and more.

Whether you are looking for a new skill, trying to polish your existing repertoire or are just looking to take on a new hobby, FTCC is a great place to start. Check them out at www.faytechcc.edu/ con_ed or pick up one of the course catalogs at the Continuing Education building on the FTCC campus.