Waynesville offers more workshops, certifcate courses

By Steve Koehler

Additional workforce development courses and workshops, some aimed to help those looking to rejoin the workforce, will be offered this fall at Ozarks Technical Community College’s Waynesville education center.

The expansion of courses and workshops comes at the request of residents in the outlying areas.

“Because of the job displacement situation, the Missouri Career Centers have asked us for several programs in various areas,” said Dana Patterson, director of OTC’s Continuing Education Center.

In response to the requests, a basic “new user” series of computer classes is being offered, which provides a complete certificate program for individuals who need to learn everything from the basics of keyboarding to using various computer applications and tools including e-mail, using the Internet and even managing e-files.

“The program is scheduled so that someone with limited time and limited knowledge can take the series and earn a certificate. We are even offering free textbooks to everyone signing up for the series. If an individual is not interested in the certificate, the person can still take any class individually as needed,” Patterson said.

Healthcare courses will also be offered for those looking to enter the workforce quickly. The program can be completed in just 8 weeks.

“We are offering, for the first time, our Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training program. The program is a model from our state-approved existing program here in Springfield. Healthcare jobs are readily available and we’ve learned from the various healthcare centers in our region that CNAs are needed,” Patterson said.

The certification course is open to individuals who are already employed at facilities in Waynesville. In the future, the offerings will be expanded to include a comprehensive program for individuals seeking jobs and wishing to gain their credential to improve their chances of being hired.

In addition to the vocational programs, several children’s classes are offered in Waynesville this fall. For kids ages 3-5, Explore with Dora is a 4-wk program designed to teach basic Spanish while kids create new projects each week. A Junior Hip Hop Dance class for kids is also offered –parents are encouraged to sign up with their children in this lively class. Preschool painting for ages 3-5 is also available.

Patterson said beginning Spanish classes continue to be requested in all communities. By offering a five-week program, individuals will have an opportunity to try the course and continue on as additional workshops are offered to build on their skills.

For more information, or to register for classes, call the Waynesville center at (573) 774-5061 – or the Continuing Ed. Center in Springfield at (417) 447-8888. A complete listing of courses (with dates/times/fees) can be viewed at www.otc.edu/continuinged <http://www.otc.edu/continuinged> .

 Steve Koehler is coordinator of publications at Ozarks Technical Community College. Contact him at koehlers@otc.edu