3.4.2 Narrative

The institution's continuing education, outreach, and service programs are consistent with the institution's mission. ( Continuing Education , Outreach, and Service Programs )

Narrative: The Continuing Education Division of Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OCtech) operates programs based on the College's stated purpose and mission. ( Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Catalog, 2004: Institutional Mission ). It specifically addresses the following stated purpose of “addressing the continuing education needs of individuals and employees for developing or upgrading skills and knowledge by providing specialized, directed courses that compliment both personal interests and job advancement.” The College believes that education should be enjoyable and a means of continuous growth. In keeping with this philosophy, a variety of non-credit educational opportunities have been developed for individuals to upgrade their existing skills, obtain new skills, and explore new interests.

Courses in computer training and certification, business and industry training, professional and employee development, licensing and certification, healthcare and human services, transportation (truck driving) training, and community education are offered. Many OCtech programs are available through Distance Education and On-Line Learning to make learning accessible to everyone within the service area.

Continuing Education also delivers contract training that is customized to fit an organization's needs and enables OCtech instructors to bring real-world experience to the classroom. The mission of Continuing Education is to continuously offer the training necessary to keep clients competitive in today's ever-changing marketplace and to do this at affordable prices. Continuing Education's goal is to deliver quality programs in a timely, convenient, and professional manner to professionals in a diverse group of industries and businesses in the service area.

All courses are developed and priced to cover the cost of the instructor, supplies, and operating overhead. All classes, with the exception of Community Interest classes, do receive funding from the State of South Carolina through the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education (SBTCE). Community Interest classes do not directly impact the economic development of the service area and are provided as a service to community citizens. Those classes are self-supporting. Senior citizens can attend some classes for free or at a discounted rate, based on the type of course they are taking.

The College serves all the diverse segments of Orangeburg and Calhoun counties' population, delivering quality educational programs and services through partnerships with business, community groups, and other educational institutions. Training is offered at the OCtech campus; however, training may be delivered at any location requested by contracting customers. To broaden the offerings provided to customers, on-line classes and classes through other colleges via teleconferencing are also available.

OC tech offers computer training in up-to-date labs with the most current applications to assist employees and employers in developing or maintaining technical currency in skills that will add to productivity and job satisfaction. Some examples include Microsoft Office applications, desktop publishing, and programming, including Java, Project Management, and Web Authoring. Partnerships exist with a contractor, Dixie Training, to deliver industry specific certifications, such as A+, MOUS, CISCO and MCSE, as well.

There is a strong demand for healthcare programs in the community. Certified Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy, Emergency Medical Technician, and Medical Billing and Coding are among the most requested and attended Continuing Education classes. First Responder training is offered and has been requested more frequently by local industries. Medical Billing and Coding are available through on-line learning in partnership with Trident Technical College to better accommodate the schedule of OCtech students. Trident Technical College is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Recently, Continuing Education became licensed to provide the American Dietary Association's Dietary Manager Certification. This certification provides students with the skills needed to work in food service facilities such as schools or hospitals. First Aid and CPR courses continue to be popular with local business and citizens.

The purpose of the Professional Development programs is to provide initial skills or upgrade professional capabilities to include workplace, interpersonal, supervisory, and customer service skills. The technical training of industrial workers is a primary concern of many employers, but the personal and professional development of these workers is often overlooked. The Continuing Education Division now offers a new series of courses targeted to the personal and professional development of manufacturing, construction, and maintenance workers. These courses, often referred to as “soft skills,” are designed to provide craft workers with the interpersonal skills needed in the workplace. The series was developed by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), and meets the standards for knowledge, skills, and other abilities as defined by the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS). The series includes: Essential Workplace Skills, Communication Skills, Resolving Workplace Issues, and Applied Communication Skills for Construction, Maintenance & Manufacturing.

OCtech is proud of the variety and depth of the programs and instructors available to meet every training need for new and existing businesses and industries. Support of area economic development occurs through partnerships with the area Economic Development Commissions, Chambers of Commerce, local government agencies, and the Center for Accelerated Technology Training. The programs include courses designed to help enrollees upgrade and learn new work skills.

OCtech has had a long-standing relationship with South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G). The company's Fossil/Hydro Training Center is located on the OCtech campus. This partnership has been further enhanced as SCE&G is now a National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Accredited Training Sponsor (ATS). SCE&G has sponsored OCtech as an NCCER Accredited Training and Education Facility (ATEF). SCE&G and OCtech are also participating in NCCER's National Craft Assessment and Certification Program with the company as an Accredited Assessment Center and the College as an Authorized Assessment Site. OCtech's Continuing Education Division now offers a series of training programs based on nationally recognized business and industry standards.

The Continuing Education Division at OCtech is an approved ACT WorkKeys Assessment Center and works with area business to profile jobs in business and industry. Continuing Education also works with area high schools and with the College's own credit programs to provide ACT WorkKeys assessment as needed to ensure student employability.

NCCER is a national group representing the construction and maintenance industry which has developed skill standards and a training curriculum for over twenty-five different industrial crafts. The Continuing Education Division now offers many of these training programs developed by NCCER. A national registry of student training records is maintained by NCCER. This database contains files of all who have successfully completed craft training through an Accredited Training Sponsor (ATS) or Accredited Training and Education Facility (ATEF). The National Registry assures portability of student training accomplishments by providing documentation via transcripts, certificates, and wallet cards. The one-millionth transcript was recorded in May, 2001.

NIMS is a group representing the metal-working industry through developed skill standards for occupations including metal-forming; machining; tool, die and mold-making; and machine building and maintenance. Continuing Education now offers a series of vocational and technical courses or modules designed to provide entry-level job skills to individuals seeking to enter the manufacturing sector as machine tool operators. These courses/modules are based on the job skill standards developed by NIMS for Machining Level 1 program.

Examples of course topics include manufacturing skills, blueprint reading, custom designed courses in leadership and problem solving, lean manufacturing, Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerance training, and other topics of importance to area businesses. OCtech's goal is to deliver high quality programs in a timely, convenient and professional manner to a diverse group of industries.

According to the most recent publication of U.S. Department of Labor's Occupation Outlook Handbook, the transportation industry is one of the fastest growing in the country at this time. OCtech is proud to have a long-standing reputation as a quality provider of training to allow students to obtain their Class A CDL license and possible employment as a second seat driver for one of the many trucking companies that recruit students for employment. The program offered at OCtech is 180 hours, which exceeds the minimum requirements determined by state law. Instructors have been formally trained to deliver instruction, and they all have extensive truck driving experience. The Continuing Education Department is in the process of pursuing certification through The Professional Truck Driver's Institute. This will require many changes to the program that will enhance credibility beyond the immediate service area.

OCtech routinely offers certificate programs in areas where there is demand from the community or industry requiring students to possess a certain level of skills necessary for employment. Certifications for real estate, American Society for Quality's programs, cake decorating, floral design, law enforcement, and small engine repair are offered through Continuing Education.

To address the increasing Latino population in the OCtech service area, Continuing Education offers a variety of Spanish classes for healthcare, banking, horticulture, and law enforcement.

OCtech offers an ever-changing variety of classes that will fulfill additional education or personal interest as a community service to area citizens. These courses include such courses as photography, calligraphy, gardening, yoga, pilates, sewing, creative writing, golf, knitting, home décor, and piano.