Workforce Development & Community Education

About WDCE
What We Offer

About WDCE

Ongoing changes in technology, and career and job requirements, create the need for life-long learning for individuals in both occupational and vocational areas. The Workforce Development and Community Education Division is responsible for responding to these needs by providing services to individuals, organizations, businesses, and industries within Alleghany, Ashe, and Wilkes counties. Tailored to the needs of our service area, the courses range from basic skills to advanced courses in various technical fields. In addition, a range of vocational courses are offered that are designed to meet the needs and interests of the citizens of the region.

These are non-curriculum courses that provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and are made available whenever there are a sufficient number of students interested in a specific subject area.

Adults may also attend these courses to improve vocational and practical skills. These courses are available to adults 18 years old or older.

The Workforce Development and Community Education Division is located on Wilkes Campus in Kendrick/Church Hall (building 13 on the campus map).

Click Here to View Upcoming Courses

Attendance

Because attendance is pivotal to student success, students are expected to regularly attend all scheduled class meetings. Individual attendance records are maintained and retained, and students must meet attendance requirements to receive recognition for the course. Many certification and licensure courses have specific attendance requirements that must be met for successful completion of the course. In certain instances, missed class time may be made up within a specified timeframe, with the permission of the faculty, the respective program director, and in accordance with state auditing and accrediting body guidelines.

Certificates

Workforce Development and Community Education courses do not earn college credit. Certificates, however, are awarded for the completion of some courses. Licenses, diplomas, or other forms of recognition may be awarded for specific courses by agencies outside the college upon successful completion of the specified course.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded to students who satisfactorily complete specific courses. One CEU is awarded for each 10 contact hours of participation in a specific continuing education course of the college. A permanent record of each student’s CEUs is maintained by the college. Individuals, firms, and professional organizations may use compilations of CEUs for measures of recognition or non-credit educational attainment.

WCC’s Non-Credit to Credit Policy (Continuing Education to Curriculum) can be found in the Academic Credit section of the Academic Regulations page.

Class Locations

Classes are offered at the college’s locations in Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and in various other places throughout the three-county service area. Customized training courses are often offered at specific businesses or industries.

Online Courses

A wide variety of online continuing education courses are available through the college. Typically, students have the option of logging in to the courses through the Internet at times that are most convenient to students.

Insurance

The following courses are offered through partnership with IES:

Property Insurance Pre-licensing: This course is designed to prepare student for the NC Property Insurance Agents exam. Students are given 30 days to complete the course. The total cost is $205 ($70 tuition + $135 non-refundable supply/technology fee).
Casualty Insurance Pre-licensing: This course is designed to prepare students for the NC Casualty Insurance Agent exam. Students are given 30 days to complete the course. The total cost is $205 ($70 tuition + $135 non-refundable supply/technology fee).
Property & Casualty Insurance Pre-Licensing Bundle: This series of courses is designed to prepare students for the NC Property and Casualty Insurance Agents exams. Students are given 60 days to complete both courses. The total cost is $345 ($125 tuition + $220 non-refundable supply/technology fee).
Life Insurance: This course is designed to prepare students for the NC Life Insurance Agents exam. Students are given 30 days to complete. The total cost is $205 ($70 tuition + $135 non-refundable supply/technology fee).
Health & Accident or Sickness: This course is designed to prepare students for the NC Health & Accident or Sickness Insurance Agents exam. Students are given 30 days to complete. The total cost is $205 ($70 tuition + $135 non-refundable supply/technology fee).
Life and Health & Accident or Sickness Bundle: This course is designed to prepare students for the NC Life and Health & Accident or Sickness Insurance Agents exams. Students are given 60 days to complete. The total cost is $345 ($125 tuition + $220 non-refundable supply/technology fee).
Medicare Supplement and Long Term Care: This course is designed to prepare students for the NC Medicare Supplement/Long Term Care Insurance Agents exam. Students are given 60 days to complete. The total cost is $170 ($70 tuition + $100 non-refundable supply/technology fee). Prerequisite required: students must have completed the Health & Accident or Sickness course.
Self Employed Adjuster: This course is designed to prepare students for the NC Property and Liability Adjuster exam. Students are given 60 days to complete. The total cost is $345 ($125 tuition + $220 non-refundable supply/technology fee).
Personal Lines: This course includes everything the Property & Casualty bundle does except for the Commercial section which is not included on the state exam. This course is designed to prepare students for the NC Personal Lines Insurance Agents exam. Students are given 60 days to complete. The total cost is $345 ($125 tuition + $220 non-refundable supply/technology fee).

Career Training – CareerStep

Prerequisite: Must be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or high school equivalency. Don’t have a high school diploma or high school equivalency? Opportunities are available through WCC’s College & Career Readiness Division.

Computer Technician: Our CompTIA approved course will prepare you to work with hardware, software, networks, security issues and more. The Computer Technician course that we offer is 182 hours, completely online and self-paced. It includes A+ test prep and a voucher to take one CompTIA A+ exam (a $350 value). The total cost is $180 (all books/materials are included).
Health Information Technician: HIT program provides hands-on training with government-certified electronic health records software. It prepares the student for the CMAA (Certified Medical Administrative Assistant); CEHRS (Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist) and the CompTIA A+ certification exams. Vouchers are included to sit for the A+ exams (a $438 value). The cost is $180 for Part 1 and $180 Part 2, for a total of $360 (all books/materials are included).
Medical Administrative Assistant w/ EHR: Our NHA (National Healthcareer Association) approved curriculum is designed to train you on the industry-standard exEMRx EHR software. You will be able to create and update patients’ electronic health records as well as keep medical offices running smoothly. It prepares students for the CMAA (Certified Medical Admin Assistant) and CEHRS (Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist) certification exams through NHA. The total cost is $180 (all books/materials are included).
Medical Coding & Billing w/PCS: Our AHIMA approved curriculum will teach you to use all of these codes – CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10 including the new PCS procedural code set. It prepares the student for either the CCA (Certified Coding Associate) Certification exam through AHIMA or the CPC (Certified Professional Coder) exam through AAPC. The cost is $180 for Part 1 and $180 Part 2, for a total of $360 (all books/materials are included).
Medical Office Manager: The MOM program provides hands-on training with government certified electronic health records software, billing forms, and bundled payments to minimize on-the-job training. It prepares students for the CBCS (Certified Billing & Coding Specialist), CMAA (Certified Medical Admin Assistant) and CEHRS (Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist) certification exams. A voucher for the CEHRS exam is included with the course (a $210 value). The total cost is $180 (all books/materials are included).
Medical Transcription Editor: Our AHDI (Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity) approved curriculum simulates the real world by training you on hundreds of authentic physician dictations while preparing you for the future of the industry as it relies more on speech recognition technology. It trains you to begin working from home. Upon completion you are prepared for the RHDS (Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist) certification exam. The cost is $180 for Part 1 and $180 Part 2, for a total of $360 (all books/materials are included).
Microsoft Office Specialist: This program includes training in the five core Microsoft Office applications – Access, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and Word. You will have over 100 hours of training covering beginning, intermediate, and advanced topics. Upon completion, you will be prepared to take the Microsoft Office Specialist Master credential exam. The cost is $180 for Part 1 and $180 Part 2, for a total of $360 (all books/materials are included).
Pharmacy Technician: The ASHP/ACPE approved curriculum is specially designed to prepare you for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board certification exam (PTCE) and train you for careers in both retail and institutional healthcare setting. There is also an externship in nation-wide Pharmacies included in Part 2 of the program to give you hands on experience in a real world setting. The cost is $180 for Part 1 and $180 Part 2, for a total of $360 (all books/materials are included).
Physical Therapy Office Professional: This program includes training in office/electronic health record information as well as physical therapy aide. It also prepares the student to take the Basic Life Support certification (which the student can get while in the course). The class prepares the student to take the CEHRS (Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist) and the CPTAS (Certified Physical Therapy Aide Specialist) certification exams. The total cost is $180 (all books/materials are included).
Veterinary Assistant Office Professional: The comprehensive curriculum includes images, exercise, learning games and instructive videos to increase your knowledge of the key concepts. It prepares students for the CMAA (Certified Medical Administrative Assistant) certification exam. Upon completion the student will be prepared for a career as a veterinary assistant or in medical office administration. The total cost is $180 (all books/materials are included).

Information Technology

Google IT Support Certificate: This program, developed by Google, teaches the skills needed to prepare for an entry level career in IT Support. Students will learn troubleshooting, customer service, networking, operating systems, system administration and security. The content is not exclusive to just the Google brand. It will instruct you to be able to support any network. Upon successful completion of this program, students will be prepared for the CompTIA A+ certification exam. The total cost is $185 (all books/materials are included).

Ed2Go Online Courses

Introduction to Networking, Accounting Fundamentals, Computer Skills for the Workplace, Introduction to QuickBooks Online, Speed Spanish, TEAS Prep Series, Teacher Renewal courses, and much more are available via Ed2Go.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact:

Registration and Fees

Students are encouraged to preregister for courses. Many courses are available for online registration. Alternatively, phone registration is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Names are taken on a first-come, first-served basis until classes are filled.

Pre-registration only assures a person a space in the class if that person is on time for the first class meeting. Registration will be completed at the first class meeting when students pay fees (unless otherwise required). Classes without a minimum number of paying students physically present and on time to register at the first class meeting will be canceled. A student may not register for someone else. Late registration is permitted through the second class meeting.

Students must pre-register in person for the following classes: Notary Public, Phlebotomy, Nurse Aid I, Nurse Aid II, Law Enforcement, Defensive Driving, and Cosmetology.

The registration fees for continuing education courses vary and are based on the number of hours for the course. Self-supporting course fees also vary, depending on the instructional costs, including the cost for the instructor and any textbooks, supplies, and materials. In accordance with North Carolina statutes in effect at the time of the registration, registration fees for qualifying individuals may be waived for specified continuing education courses. There are no charges for College Readiness courses offered through continuing education.

Refund/Repeat Policies

Refund Policy

A registration fee refund shall not be made except under the following circumstances:

For courses that are scheduled to meet four times or less, a 75 % refund shall be made upon the request of the student if the student officially withdraws from the course(s) prior to or on the first day of class(es).
For courses that are scheduled to meet five or more times, a 75 % refund shall be made upon the request of the student if the student officially withdraws from the course(s) prior to the 10% point of the course(s). Requests for refunds will not be considered after the 10% point.
For contact hour courses, 10 calendar days from the first day of the course(s) is the determination date for a refund.

At the time of official withdrawal under this policy, the college shall notify the student of the right to receive a refund.

Course Repeat Policy

Action taken by the 1993 term of N.C. Legislature requires that students taking an Occupational Extension class more than two times within a five-year period will be required to pay the full cost of the course beginning with the third repeat.

The above provision is waived if course repetition is required by standards governing the certification or licensing program in which the student is enrolled.

SECU Bridge to Career Program

In 2018, SECU Foundation introduced the SECU Bridge to Career Program. This program is available to all 58 North Carolina Community Colleges. Designed to help remove financial barriers for students seeking to obtain state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials that lead to sustainable wage careers within their local communities, SECU Bridge to Career Program will fund $500 scholarships to be awarded to eligible students at each of the 58 NC Community College campuses.

SECU Bridge to Career Program will focus on assisting unemployed and underemployed adults, military veterans, and members of the National Guard with marketable job skills that lead to sustainable wage careers within their local communities. Participants must be enrolled in a program that leads to a state recognized or industry supported credential. Interested candidates should contact:

Contact Information

Wilkes Campus: 336-838-6219

Ashe Campus: 336-846-3900

Alleghany Center: 336-372-5061

What We Offer

What We Offer

Business and Industry Training

WCC’s Customized Training Program supports the State of North Carolina’s economic development efforts by providing education and training opportunities for eligible businesses and industries. This program offers new and existing business and industry programs and training services for:

Job growth
Productivity enhancement
Technology investment

The Customized Training Program is specific to each company depending on their training needs and is no cost to the industry.

Please note: applicants requiring special accommodations due to a disability must notify Disability Services at 336-838-6560 and request appropriate accommodations within 10 working days.

Customized Training Program

Contact Information

Career and Talent Development

The Career and Talent Development (CTD) program is student-centered and focuses on the creation of developmental activities geared towards:

the acquisition of work related family self-sufficiency skills
the establishment of a variety of options for upgrading employment related skills
the development of outreach
instructional and case management strategies to help students reach their goals

CTD directs attention away from hardships and looks for opportunities. Participants are taught to focus on healthy perceptions, optimism, creative choices, and positive expectations.

Examples of CTD courses include:

Employability Success Lab
Money Smart
Computer Skills for the Workplace
Career Exploration
Wellness for Career Success
Survival Skills for Women
Survival Skills for Men
Employability Skills

Community Services

The Community Services program responds to the vocational and creative needs of its service area by providing a variety of non-credit courses to its adult population.

Categories of the courses include:

vocational (hobbies, crafts, etc.)
practical skills
academic (health information, etc.)

We provide well trained-instructors in these areas.

Wilkes Campus Contact

Ashe Campus Contact

Cosmetology

Visit the Cosmetology page for more information.

Defensive Driving Program

Visit the Defensive Driving Program page for more information.

Emergency Services Training

Visit the Emergency Services page for more information.

Fire Service Training

Visit the Fire Service page for more information.

Health Care Classes

Many health care classes are available, including:

Medication Aide: This 24-hour course covers the basic preparation for administration of medications by unlicensed persons in a variety of settings. No absences allowed. Applicants must be currently listed on the NC Nurse Aide-I registry in Raleigh. Pre-registration and screening is mandatory. The course is designed to prepare students to take the State Competency Test required for listing on the NC Medication Aide Registry.
Nurse Aide 1: This 192-hour course prepares graduates to provide personal care and perform basic nursing skills for the elderly and other adults. Upon satisfactory completion of the training course, graduates will receive instructions concerning their State Competency Test for listing on the NC Department of Human Resources Division of Facility Services NA I registry.
Nurse Aide II: This 180-hour course is designed to prepare students to function under the supervision of a professional nurse performing certain sterile nursing procedures and tasks involved in the patient’s care. Upon satisfactory completion of the course and the skills/competency evaluation, graduates are eligible to apply for listing on the North Carolina Board of Nurse Aide II registry in Raleigh. Prerequisites include current NC NA I certification, High School Diploma or High School Equivalency, proof of active NA I employment in the last 12 months or completed the NA I course in the last six months, valid American Heart Association CPR certification (not Red Cross), and updated immunizations.
Nurse Aide Refresher: This 40-hour evaluation course is designed primarily for nursing assistants who have successfully completed an approved Division of Facility Services training program but have let their certification lapse (no more than 24 months) or someone coming from another state and needing to be listed on the NA-I registry in NC. Applicants must provide proof of previous NA-I certification. The course includes theory, review, skills practice, and practice testing. Upon successful completion of the refresher course, the student will be eligible to apply for the N. C. State Competency Test.
Pharmacy Technician Training: This 96-hour course is designed for individuals who will be trained to work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. The course provides the student with basic knowledge and skills required to work as a technician in a retail or hospital pharmacy. Applicant must have a High School Diploma or High School Equivalency and strong math skills. Topics covered include drug classification, drug distribution, anatomy and physiology as related to disease and drug therapy, and laws and regulations of pharmacy practice. Upon satisfactory completion, students are instructed how to apply for their National Certification Examination (currently $129.00). The exam is usually given 3 times per year in various locations across the state (closest in Winston-Salem).
Phlebotomy: This course is 180 contact hours and is designed to provide a general overview of specimens for laboratory testing. Students are also taught how to perform venipuncture and capillary (finger) sticks. Students practice on each other in class/lab before doing the clinical portion of the course. Upon completion of the course, the student will be a well trained, proficient and employable phlebotomist. After completion of this course and documentation of required successful “sticks,” students can apply for the National Examination through the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians.

Contact Information

Law Enforcement Training

WCC is committed to offering timely, professional training to the entire law enforcement community. Courses mandated by the North Carolina Department of Justice, Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission, and the North Carolina Sheriffs Commission are conducted by highly qualified and certified groups of experienced instructors. These courses include:

Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)
Detention Officer Certification
Telecommunicator Certification
General Instructor Certification
Radar Operator Certification
Radar Recertification

All mandated in-service requirements for law enforcement officers, detention officers, and telecommunicators are offered numerous times each year. Specialized classes are offered each year in addition to mandated training.

Contact Information

Licensure / Certification

WCC offers the following licensure courses:

Driver’s Education Instructor Training
Effective Teacher Training
Insurance Pre-Licensing
Notary Public
Real Estate Pre-Licensing and Post-Licensing
Standard Inspection (building, electrical, fire prevention, mechanical, and plumbing)
Vehicle Safety/Emission
Waste Water Treatment

For more information, check the Upcoming Courses tab or contact:

Online Courses