Burn Ban in Effect. All outdoor burning is prohibited in Franklin County.
When most people think about attending college, they picture students working toward a degree. However, Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC) offers opportunities for adults who may not want a degree but still want to learn something new.
One thing I appreciate most about NTCC is that we serve people at every stage of life. Our students range from 15-year-old high school students taking dual-credit courses to older adults who want to continue learning. Many adults in our communities may not want to earn another degree, but they would enjoy learning something new. I want them to know that NTCC has something to offer them, too.
Our continuing education programs are a great example. Adults can take a class simply because they are interested in the subject. Others may want to learn a skill that could help them in their current job or prepare them for a different career.
With that in mind, we are excited to expand our personal enrichment offerings for adults. NTCC offers conversational Spanish, a license-to-carry course, and personal training classes. For anyone considering opening a business, our Start Your Own Business class may be a good place to begin.
Adults also have opportunities to stay active. NTCC offers yoga classes and a FIT for the Community plan that provides access to our fitness facilities. Recreational options include pickleball and motorcycle training. Our Travel Club courses offer another way to explore new interests.
For those seeking to improve their computer or workplace skills, NTCC offers courses in Excel and QuickBooks. Additional opportunities include Business Computer Information Systems (BCIS) and Lean Six Sigma training.
Another opportunity many adults may not know about is NTCC's course mirroring option, available for certain credit courses. This lets individuals attend a regular college class to learn a specific skill or explore a subject without enrolling for college credit. It is another way NTCC makes educational opportunities available to the community.
Kenzie Taylor, NTCC director of continuing education, hopes more adults will explore the college's opportunities.
“Our personal enrichment program offers a wide variety of opportunities for people to learn something new and explore their interests,” Taylor said. “We are always looking for creative ways to expand our offerings and provide experiences that reflect the interests and needs of the people we serve. We believe learning should be lifelong, and we strive to offer classes that inspire curiosity and encourage people to try something new. We welcome ideas from the community and would love to hear what other classes or activities people would like us to offer.”
I particularly appreciate that Kenzie and her staff want to hear from the community. If you have always wanted to learn something, I encourage you to share your idea with our continuing education department.
Continuing education also plays an important role in workforce training. For adults considering a career change, NTCC offers short-term programs that help them prepare for employment without spending two years pursuing a degree.
Our health care training options include certified nurse aide (CNA), phlebotomy technician, dental assistant, and veterinary assistant programs. Adults interested in other career fields can explore commercial driver's license (CDL) training through our Professional Driving Academy or training in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).
Jimmy Smith, NTCC dean of workforce education, knows returning to school can be difficult for adults who already work and support their families.
“We understand that many adults have jobs and family responsibilities that make returning to school difficult,” Smith said. “Our continuing education programs offer another option. Someone who wants to change careers may be able to complete training in weeks or months rather than years. We also work with local employers to ensure we provide training that can lead to employment opportunities in our region.”
NTCC also works with local businesses to train their employees, helping area employers while giving employees a chance to strengthen their skills.
After spending many years at NTCC, I still believe one of our greatest strengths is our ability to respond to the needs of the communities we serve. Those needs are not limited to students working toward a college degree.
Maybe there is something you have always wanted to learn but never had the time. Perhaps you are retired and looking for something enjoyable to do. You may even be considering a career change.
Whatever your reason, I hope you will consider taking a class at NTCC. You are never too old to learn something new, and you do not have to be working toward a degree to be part of our college.
For more information about continuing education classes or to suggest a future course, visit www.ntcc.edu/continuinged or contact the Continuing Education Department at 903-434-8134.
