Workforce Development and Career Readiness Department

Explore our Dare continuing education class schedules for professional development and personal enrichment.

Welcome!

If you’re interested in a class, please register early; however, you can register at any time with payment due before the class begins. If a class has already started, call to have your name added to a waiting list.

How to Register

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to Dare County residents for occupational and technical classes. Among them are the State Employees Credit Union, Golden LEAF and the Milton Jewell Scholarship provided by the Outer Banks Community Foundation. The Northeastern Workforce Development Board has assistance for some classes — call 252-480-3500 for information. All of these scholarships are needs based and you must complete and return an application. COA’s Dare County Guarantee Scholarship Program may be available for recent high school graduates for specific workforce classes.

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Dare County Continuing Education Class Schedules

Last updated: Oct. 13, 2021

Certification Classes

Effective Teacher Training (ETT) (24 hours)

This course is a systematic and comprehensive approach to improving learning environments for students. It’s recommended for all substitute teachers, teacher assistants, and prospective teachers. ETT covers the major components of appropriate teaching as identified in research and practice. Participants will develop more effective skills in planning, instruction, behavior management, human relations and professional growth. This class will cover you for Dare County schools. Part of this class is online and part is face-to-face.

Forklift Operator/Safety (8 hours)

This course provides instruction on the operation and maintenance of an industrial forklift. Core topics include forklift design, controls and instrumentation, pre-use inspection, safety awareness, and forklift stability. This course meets the training requirements for OSHA regulations. Book is required. Must be registered two business days before class.

Pool and Spa Certification (BLAFT) (9 hours)

Pool and spa operator certification. Instruction and techniques are taught (with off campus visit to local pool). Students should bring a pencil, highlighter and a calculator to class. Fee includes manual and written test required by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Health. One hour for lunch on your own. Must be registered two business days before class. Space is very limited to nine students.

NC Vehicle Safety Inspection (8 hours)

This course prepares auto technicians and service personnel as safety and emissions inspectors for motor vehicles. Also prepares student to pass the qualification exam for certification to be used at a licensed inspection station. Must possess a valid in North Carolina driver’s license and have two years’ experience. Part of second night is held in a local garage. Please pre-register.

Notary (7 hours)

This course is designed to prepare students to be commissioned/appointed as a Notary Public. The book and a valid driver’s license or photo identification is required and one must be a high school/GED graduate. Notary Public Manual for North Carolina 11th edition 2016 is required to own, should be read before the class, and can be can be purchased from Follett Bookstore by calling 252-331-5964 or Downtown Books in Manteo at 473-1056. You’ll be responsible for mailing in notary certificate fee to the state after successful completion of the class and test. If you have an unexpired commission and need to renew, visit the North Carolina Secretary of State website. Please pre-register.

Safe Driver/Defensive Driving (4 or 8 hours)

This four-hour class will increase awareness of the need for and the benefits of defensive driving. May help you get a discount on your auto insurance or lower your points. Class may meet court requirements if you get a ticket. Price includes workbook and certificate from the National Safety Council of NC. The curriculum has been recently updated to provide you will the most current information on driving safely. The class is for any drivers or would-be drivers who are 16 years and older. You must be preregistered two business days before to attend class. At this time, the classes are only held at COA – Elizabeth City. Call 252-335-0821 ext. 2250. Some classes may be available online.

Human Resource Development (HRD)/Job Skills

HRD/Information for Job Seekers (3 hours)

This class assists students in their pursuit of employment in today’s challenging global economy. Content will include a review of vital topics such as creating an effective resume, job search strategies, preparing for the interview and job retention. Course fee may be waived for unemployed/low income students. You must be pre-registered.

Technology Skills for the Workplace (24 hours)

This course will help improve your computer skills as well as job search skills. Even if you think you have all the skills, this class will make sure you know how to use a keyboard and desk computer, complete valid searches for information, and accurately submit on line applications as well as other technology used in the workplace. It includesnbasic terminology, word processing, printing a document, keyboarding, searching job sites, data entry, and much more. It will help you polish and acquire skills to make you more marketable in the workplace particularly for the hospitality industry. This class is required before taking the Career Readiness class. If you have a college-level computer class, you can, with permission, substitute the 15-hour Excel class instead. Limited enrollment. Class fee may be waived for unemployed/low income. No class Nov. 25.

Computer, Technology and Photography Classes

Excel™: An Introduction (18 hours)

This Introductory class will cover the basics of Excel. This six-night class will enable students to successfully use this application. Basic computer skills are required. Limited enrollment students. You will need to have access to a computer with Excel on it at home to practice.

Introduction to QuickBooks™ (24 hours)

This introductory class will cover the basics of Quickbooks accounting using Quickbooks2018. This class will enable students to efficiently use this application. All levels are welcome. Basic computer skills required. Limited enrollment of 12 students. Certificate of completion awarded upon completing at least 80 percent of the class.

Digital Photography I (18 hours)

Students will familiarize themselves with techniques, process and tools of digital photography and will be able to get more consistent and satisfactory results from their camera. Students must have their own digital camera with manual controls.

Introduction to Photo Editing (24 hours)

This class will use Lightroom and Photoshop by Adobe to import, sort, organize, process, modify and eventually share images. Computer skills are required. Limited enrollment.

Drones: An Introduction (16 hours)

Our introductory class will act as an awareness of local and FAA restrictions, weather factors, flight safety, airmanship, and aeronautical decision-making. The class will also focus on the commercial outputting of film editing with both still and video photography used. Additionally, the class will also serve as a study guide for the Unmanned Aircraft General (small) Certification needed for business or non-recreational use such as Real estate or other commercial-based photography. This exam for certification to fly drones is available at the Elizabeth City campus with prior sign up. Actual drone practice flight time will be available with the College’s drones. Computer skills are required. Limited enrollment, so sign up early. Times may change due to weather conditions and daylight. Some of this class may be online.

Workforce Classes

Marine Diesel Engine Repair (51 hours)

This course introduces theory, design, terminology, and operating adjustments for inboard marine diesel engines. Emphasis is placed on safety, theory of operation, inspection, measuring, and rebuilding and repairing diesel engines according to factory specifications. Upon completion, students should be able to measure, diagnose problems, and repair marine diesel engines. Additionally, students will be introduced to preliminary fabrication, parts ordering and inventory, and shop/lab best practices. It is not a certification class. Fee includes required textbook. All classes held in Manns Harbor.

HVAC (96 hours)

Students will learn the basics of heating and air conditioning. If you are ready to replace the daily grind with a career you enjoy, then become an HVAC tech. A mix of hands-on lab work as well as theory and simulated systems will be taught. This course covers the fundamental physics of heating and cooling in addition to the technological considerations in heating and cooling equipment. This class includes CFC certification exam that has an additional $25 fee to be paid to ESCO prior to test. Loan of book is included in fee. Limit of nine students. Scholarships are available for Dare County residents.

Basic Welding (30 hours)

Starting with safety guidelines, the course content will be specific to SMAW (stick) with an introduction to GMAW (mig) and FCAW (flux-core) welding. Students will participate in questions-answer sessions and hands-on to gain basic knowledge in the setup and operation of various power sources that operate these processes. Upon completion, students will have the basic knowledge of various industry standards and certifications. Personal items required for Welding program include welding helmet (auto darkening is a plus), safety glasses, ear plugs, tip cleaners, welding jacket with leather sleeves, steel-toed leather boots (with high sides), welding gloves. Limit of nine students per class. Scholarships are available for Dare County residents. No class Nov. 24.

Education, Language and Law Classes

Spanish (24 hours)

This is a basic introduction to Spanish including pronunciation, travel expressions, and common everyday conversatimaon. Interaction between students and instructor will include oral exercises and some written assignments as well as a “field trip” to a local Mexican restaurant to practice what you have learned! This course is also available online through Ed2Go.

Medical and Health Occupation Classes

Nurse Aide I — hybrid (160 hours)

This course prepares graduates to provide personal care and perform basic nursing skills for the elderly and other adults. Emphasis on aging process including mental, social and physical needs of the elderly, patient’s rights, nutrition management, elimination procedures, safe environment, restorative services, personal and special care procedures and activities, human body structure and function and related common disease/disorders, communication and documentation, death and dying, and roles of the nursing assistant and health team members. A skill/competency evaluation is required. The course includes class, laboratory and clinical learning experiences. Clinicals will be held off campus and are full eight-hour days. This class is partially online so you must have access to a computer and the internet. You must be able to pass a background check. Upon satisfactory completion of the course and skill/competency evaluation, the graduate is eligible to apply for listing as a Nurse Aide I by the North Carolina Division of Facility Services. Enrollment is limited to 10 students per class.

Prior to enrollment: Students must have a high school diploma or GED.
Prior to clinical: Verified by Nurse Aid instructor. Must complete a background check submitted to an online agency and attend an orientation.

Pharmacy Tech (136 hours)

This course provides the basic knowledge and skills required to work as a technician in a drug store or other pharmacy. Topics include drug classification, drug distribution, anatomy and physiology as they relate to disease with an emphasis on drug therapy, laws and regulations basic to pharmacy practice. Manuals can be purchased at the Follett Bookstore at COA – Elizabeth City. You must meet one of the following requirements:

• North Carolina Diagnostic and Placement (NCDAP) test: a score of “7” or higher in all sections of DMA 010, DMA 020 and DMA 030
• Passing grade in the courses DMA 010, 020 and 030
• Passing grade in college-level math class (“C” or better)
• (CRC) test: a score of “4” on the applied math section
• Be at least 18 years old
• CASAS score of “241” or higher

Medication Aide (24 hours)

This course is designed to meet the training requirements for becoming qualified as a Medication Aide. The course will cover the six rights of medication administration for non-licensed personnel. Topics will include medication administration via the oral, topical and instillation routes, medical asepsis, hand hygiene, terminology, and legal implications. Upon completion, students should be able to take the competency exam and demonstrate skills necessary to qualify for listing on the North Carolina Medication Aide Registry. The book, Medication Aide Manual 25th edition is required and available by calling 252-331-5964 (about $35).

Phlebotomy for Healthcare Workers – hybrid

CNAs, Medical assistants, nurses, or EMT are eligible. Students who have completed Nurse Aide I training within the last two years are also eligible, even if they have not tested for registry listing yet. The class is focused on skill building for people already working in healthcare. This class includes real life venipuncture sticks supervised by instructor on site. Prior to enrollment students must have a high school diploma or GED or reading placement test score (10th grade reading level or CASAS score “244” – “248”) or college-level English.

Hospitality Leadership Certification

Hospitality Employment Skills (24 hours)

This course introduces the basic principles of customer service and employability skills and will prepare you to be the best employee possible no matter what your career path. Soft Skills so sought by employers and other employability skills will be explored. Role playing and finding solutions for different customer service scenarios will be presented. Find out your best fit in a company or business and provide an excellent experience for your customers or guests. A certificate of completion that can be added to your resume/portfolio will be awarded upon successful completion of the class. This class is fee waived for unemployed/low income students. Please register no later than three business days before the class. Some of this class may be online. No class on Nov. 24.

Career Readiness (24 hours)

This course builds on the Hospitality Skills, computer skills, and the Soft Skills taught in the first two core class. Emphasis will be on honing your soft skills, finding a job in your areas of expertise, and enhance your employability and income potential or business. Learn how to serve both customers and your company. You must have computed the Computer Skills class or the Excel class before taking this class. A certificate of completion that can be added to your resume/portfolio will be awarded upon successful completion of the class. This class is fee waived for unemployed/low income students. Please register no later than three business days before the class.

Regional Ambassador

It will help you polish and acquire skills to make you more marketable in the workplace particularly for the hospitality industry. Learn how to be an ambassador for your area. This class will be online and will also require the student to do a presentation as assigned by the instructor. Some of this class may be online.

Leadership Management (24 hours)

This class is the last of the five required core classes for the Hospitality Leadership Certification. This course builds on the service skills introduced in the Customer Service and provides principles and practices for leadership development and supervisory skills. Emphasis is placed on planning, organizing, directing, and communicating. Core topics include interpersonal skills, decision making strategies, change management, negotiating skills, event planning, and other and management skills. Servant Leadership and what it means will be discussed. A certificate of completion that can be added to your resume/portfolio will be awarded upon successful completion of the class. Please register no later than three business days before the class.

Reservation Specialist (24 hours)

This course introduces the basic principles of customer service and sales with emphasis on the reservationist position in the hospitality industry (rentals and hotels). Prepare yourself to be the best employee possible to increase your employability and enhance your income potential. It is required that you take Computer Skills for the Workplace before taking this class. Please register no later than two business days before the class.

Personal Enrichment Classes

Painting and Drawing Studio

In this class, students will learn basic principles of painting in a variety of media. Drawing and painting skills will be explored. Topics covered include different painting surfaces, painting tools, perspective, media and more. Students will learn what methods are best suited to them and will explore their creativity. Students will supply their own paint brushes, canvases, rags, paper, charcoal, pencils, and paints. Please call to find out list of supplies. Please pre-register. All skill levels are welcome.

Basic Pottery (24 hours)

In this class, students will learn and practice pottery and ceramic skills. Starting with hand built, coil, pinch pots, etc. You’ll advance to using the wheel and tools. The instructor will help you perfect your skills creating useful and decorative pottery. All levels are welcome but the class is geared towards new or rusty students. Please pre-register.

Open Pottery

This extended class is for those who are skilled potters or newbies. Instruction and guidance will be available from the experienced instructor. All levels are welcome and hand-built and thrown pottery techniques will be used. Space is limited.