2008 Woodie Awards
Programs fulfill workforce needs
By Regis L. Roberts
Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: News
Originally published: 9/13/07 at 6:45 PM CSTLast update: 9/13/07 at 6:44 PM CST
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Handling everything from emergency training, language skill and nursing certification, continuing education and workforce development at this college provides people in the community with the expertise they need.
Dean Tim Rockey said the division prioritizes training working adults to help them keep abreast of new developments and certification for jobs.
"Most people, when they think 'continuing education,' they think of basket weaving and pottery classes," he said.
"What we do here is try to meet the workforce development needs of our constituents," he said.
That is not to say that the department does not serve people who just wish to gain personal knowledge.
In fact, according to the department's 2004 report - the latest such produced by continuing education and workforce development - 11 percent of students said their reason for taking continuing education courses was to gain "lifelong learning," and 8 percent were seeking advanced course preparation; the remaining students replied that they were taking courses for a career, either to receive promotion, upgrade job skills or maintain a license.
Rockey said the division, when personal computers first came to the market, taught more word processing and spreadsheet software courses.
While those courses are still offered and popular, he said the computer labs are increasingly being used for medical reporting, records and coding.
Mona Aldana-Ramirez, coordinator of the center for educator preparation, said the department gives teachers real-world experience that they can apply later in their careers.
While other teacher certification programs emphasize educational theory, she said, this college gives students intense coursework followed by an internship at an actual school where they are visited periodically to check on progress.
This attention to workplace education, Rockey said, also can be found in the department's second language courses.
Rockey said English courses are to help students interact in their work environment.
Dean Tim Rockey said the division prioritizes training working adults to help them keep abreast of new developments and certification for jobs.
"Most people, when they think 'continuing education,' they think of basket weaving and pottery classes," he said.
"What we do here is try to meet the workforce development needs of our constituents," he said.
That is not to say that the department does not serve people who just wish to gain personal knowledge.
In fact, according to the department's 2004 report - the latest such produced by continuing education and workforce development - 11 percent of students said their reason for taking continuing education courses was to gain "lifelong learning," and 8 percent were seeking advanced course preparation; the remaining students replied that they were taking courses for a career, either to receive promotion, upgrade job skills or maintain a license.
Rockey said the division, when personal computers first came to the market, taught more word processing and spreadsheet software courses.
While those courses are still offered and popular, he said the computer labs are increasingly being used for medical reporting, records and coding.
Mona Aldana-Ramirez, coordinator of the center for educator preparation, said the department gives teachers real-world experience that they can apply later in their careers.
While other teacher certification programs emphasize educational theory, she said, this college gives students intense coursework followed by an internship at an actual school where they are visited periodically to check on progress.
This attention to workplace education, Rockey said, also can be found in the department's second language courses.
Rockey said English courses are to help students interact in their work environment.
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