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

Certification Classes

EPA Refrigerant Certification (16 hours)

Taking the EPA Section 608 certification is a crucial step for anyone who wants to work in the HVAC field. Successfully passing this test gives you the ability to purchase and work with refrigerants and avoid potential legal and financial penalties. The certification is good across all 50 States and requires no annual payment or renewal. Our program will feature 8 hours of in-class instruction covering Core and Types 1,2, & 3 to prepare you for the exam and up to 8 hours of proctored online computer testing (the initial exam and up to 3 retests, as needed). You can get your results immediately after completing the exam.

If you are new to the field or are only missing a section or two of the certification, this course can help get you certified.

Forklift Operator/Safety (8 hours)

Gain the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to operate a sit-down powered forklift. Learn safety aspects, operations, basic maintenance, and OSHA compliance issues. Upon successful completion of the course, you’ll earn an operator’s certificate.

Pool and Spa Certification (BLAFT) (9 hours)

Pool and spa operator certification. Students should bring a pencil, highlighter and a calculator to class. Fee includes manual and written test required by the NC Department of Environmental Health. One hour for lunch on your own. Must be registered two business days before class. Space is limited.

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 NC driver’s license, pass a background check, and have two years experience. Part of second night will be held in a local garage. Please pre-register.

Notary

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 ID is required and one must be a High School/GED graduate. Notary Public Manual for North Carolina 11th ed. 2016 is required to own, should be read before the class, and can be purchased from the COA Bookstore 252-331-5964 in Elizabeth City or Downtown Books in Manteo at 252-473-1056. You will 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, please go online to the NC Secretary of State website.

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 is designed for students wanting to improve their computer skills. It includes basic terminology, word processing, printing a document, keyboarding, searching job sites, data entry, and more. It will help you polish and acquire skills to make you more marketable in the workplace. Limited enrollment. Class fee may be waived for unemployed/low income.

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 (12 hours)

In this beginning class, students will familiarize themselves with basic techniques, processes, 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 or a Smartphone with a camera (Apple/Google/Android). Students are required to supply their own copy of Adobe Photo Plan.

Intro 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. Students are required to supply their own copy of Adobe Photo Plan

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 COA – Elizabeth City 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

Introduction to Electrical (96 hours)

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of the electrical industry and worksite. Topics include: introduction to theory, terminology, safety, codes and circuits. The course will take a hands-on, lab-based approach and focus on the basics of residential wiring. Fee includes required code book. Scholarships are available for Dare County residents.

OSHA Construction Safety (10 hours)

This course is designed to provide a basic overview of the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions on the job site and will provide the student with a basic understanding of OSHA regulations, enforcement, and compliance. Topics include discussions of the OSHA standards that relate to scaffolds and ladders, excavation and trenching, electrical safety, personal protection equipment, fire protection and prevention, health hazards, concrete and steel erection, material handling, tools and welding, heavy equipment, and cranes. Optional topics include motor vehicles, roll-over protection, cutting, masonry structure, blasting and the use of explosives.

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 fundamentals of heating and cooling in addition to the technological considerations in heating and cooling equipment. Loan of book is included in fee. 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.

Education, Language and Law Classes

Spanish (24 hours)

This is a basic introduction to Spanish including pronunciation, travel expressions, and common everyday conversation offered through Ed2Go.

Medical and Health Occupation Classes

GEM Dementia Alliance — traditional

This course covers Alzheimer’s disease, which is a degenerative brain disease and the most common cause of dementia. Dementia is a syndrome — a group of symptoms — that has a number of causes. The characteristic symptoms include difficulties with memory, language, problem-solving, and other cognitive skills that affect a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. You will learn current evidence-based, person-centered practices to care for individuals living with dementia in diverse settings. Scholarships are available for RNs, LPNs and CNAs.

NC Community Health Worker — hybrid

This course is designed to provide individuals with the required knowledge, tools, and resources to become recognized as a certified Community Health Worker (CHW) in North Carolina working in a variety of healthcare and community settings (health departments, hospitals, federally qualified health centers, clinics, faith-based organizations, etc.). Instruction is designed to cover the nine core competencies essential to working as a certified CHW which include communication, capacity building, service coordination, interpersonal, advocacy, outreach and personal/professional skills. The knowledge base competencies will cover health and social issues that disproportionately impact clients including but not limited to chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma and cancer. Some of the social issues covered will include safety, emergency preparedness, social isolation and adverse childhood experiences (ACES). Students will also learn about the changing health care landscape in North Carolina and how to work with their clients in connecting them to resources through NCCARES 360 and others. Upon completion of this training students will be eligible for listing as a NC Certified Community Health Worker. Course facilitators must complete a train-the-trainer course prior to providing certification instruction.

Nurse Aide I (160 hours) — hybrid

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 NC 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.