GC Catalog 2011 2012 - Gaston College

Student InformationEducational ProgramsEDUCATIONAL PROGRAMSECONOMIC AND WORKFORCEDEVELOPMENT/CONTINUINGEDUCATION PROGRAMSAs a non-credit arm of the college, Economic andWorkforce Development, has the flexibility to offershort-term courses, broad-based programs, andvarious services to the citizens of Gaston and Lincolncounties.For information and current schedules related toEconomic and Workforce Development/ContinuingEducation, visit the Gaston College website atwww.gaston.edu.Childcare Workforce DevelopmentThe Childcare Workforce Development Programassists childcare providers with their advising andregistration needs. The objective of this program isto allow childcare providers the opportunity to beadvised and to be registered for classes withoutleaving their workplace.Community Education ProgramsCommunity Education offers a wide range of coursesfrom occupational to personal interest. We alsoare able to offer customized classes for industryand other groups. We are the approved provider forthe Safety and Health Council’s defensive drivingclasses that are approved in the Gaston and LincolnCounty court system. Additionally, Community Educationoffers computer classes during the day. Classesare available at Gaston College's three campuseslocated in Dallas, Belmont and Lincolnton, NorthCarolina. Community Education also offers over 400Internet-based courses, many of which are approvedfor teacher renewal. Our classes are convenient,affordable, and high-quality. For additional information,visit www.gaston.edu.Corporate EducationCorporate Education provides customized trainingfor businesses in Gaston and Lincoln Counties.This training is designed to help businesses meettheir goals and remain competitive in the globalmarketplace. Examples of customized training includeProcess Improvement programs. These includeLean Manufacturing, ISO and AS9100 certifications,5S, and Six Sigma. A variety of safety and safetycertification programs are also available includingforklift safety, confined space, and Hazwoper.Courses are taught by certified instructors. For acomplete listing of Corporate Education courses visitwww.gaston.edu/conted/services.php.Customized Training ProgramNorth Carolina’s Customized Training Programsupports economic development efforts througheducation and training opportunities for eligiblebusinesses and industries. The program recognizesthe fact that one of the most important factors fora business or industry considering locating, expanding,or remaining in North Carolina is the presenceof a well-trained workforce. The Customized TrainingProgram is designed to meet business needsand respect the confidential nature of proprietaryprocesses and information within those businesses.The Customized Training Program provides assistancefor full-time production and direct customerservice positions created in the State to enhance thegrowth potential of these companies and simultaneouslyprepare the State’s workforce with the skillsessential to successful employment in emergingindustries.Business and industries eligible for support throughthe Customized Training Program include Manufacturing,Technology Intensive (i.e., Information Technology,Life Sciences), Regional or National Warehousingand Distribution Centers, Customer SupportCenters, Air Courier Services, National Headquarterswith operations outside North Carolina, and CivilService employees providing technical support toU.S. military installations located in North Carolina.To receive assistance, eligible businesses and industriesmust demonstrate two or more of the followingcriteria:• Making an appreciable capital investment;• Deploying new technology;• Creating jobs, expanding an existing workforce,or enhancing the productivity andprofitability of the operations within theState; and• Enhancing workers’ skills.Full-time probationary employees (temp-to-hire) ofqualified Customized Training companies are eligiblefor training delivered by Gaston College. The use18