General Statement
A major function of the community college is to serve a broad segment of the citizenry within Southwestern Fairfield County through continuing education and training and community service programs. Norwalk Community College achieves that goal through its programs for business and industry workforce training, business and professional development credit and non-credit courses, lifestyle courses to meet the needs of citizens of all ages and interests, and online credit and non-credit courses.
Workforce Education Programs
Programs offer employers and business associations customized training services from diagnosing their workers’ needs, to designing a curriculum, to delivering the required instruction.
This service is geared toward providing rapid on-demand solutions to training needs in the workplace. It involves such areas as business writing and math, customer service, information and industrial technologies and performance management.
Most classes take place at NCC but can be offered on the job at times convenient to the employer and employees. Skill building is emphasized through practical exercises and interactive workshops geared toward adult learners. All instructors have extensive experience in business, industry or the public sector, helping to assure that lessons are relevant and practical.
The Institute provides specialized training classes in such areas as safe food handling and preparation, computer security and operating and growing small businesses. Program participants receive completion certificates. In some cases, continuing education units and credits toward degree requirements can be awarded.
Business, Professional Development and Allied Health Programs
A range of programs from introductory to advanced computer software applications in word processing, spreadsheets, database techniques, networking, computer repair and graphics are offered each semester. Other programs include Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship, Bookkeeping Certificate, Non-Profit Management Certificate, Physical Security Studies Certificate, Legal Secretary Certificate. Allied Health programs include Medical Billing and Reimbursement Specialist, Certified Nurse Aide, EKG, and Phlebotomy, Dental, Pharmacy, Central Sterile Processing, Patient Care Technician and Veterinary Assistant. Our instructors are highly trained and experienced practicing professionals. This means that all course content is practical and applicable to real business situations. Both credit and non-credit courses are priced to be affordable.
Many courses in career planning and skill retraining are designed to be useful to people in Southwestern Fairfield County who are undergoing transitions or displacement. Non-credit certificates allow people who would like to switch careers or enhance their knowledge base to earn a certificate of study in a short time, thereby giving them new marketable skills in our rapidly changing economy.
Real Estate Classes
Extended Studies and Workforce Development offers a wide selection of courses and seminars designed to meet the needs of those who wish to enter the real estate profession as well as real estate professionals who want to continue their real estate and appraisal education. All courses and seminars offered by the Center meet the educational requirements set forth by the State Real Estate and Appraisal Commission. Qualifying individuals may then take their real estate salesperson, broker or appraisal examinations and/or fulfill their continuing education requirement.
Courses offered by the Real Estate Center include Real Estate Principles and Practices and Real Estate Appraisal. In addition, seminars are given for salespeople, appraisers and brokers who need required continuing education.
Real estate courses are offered at Norwalk Community College’s campus in Norwalk and at locations throughout Fairfield County.
Questions concerning this program may be addressed at the Real Estate Center at Norwalk Community College.
Lifestyle Programs
Lifestyle programs and courses are designed to enrich the student’s life. NCC’s Extended Studies and Workforce Education Division offers a broad range of personal enrichment courses including art, photography, languages, culinary, music, performing arts and much more. Practicing professionals teach all courses, ensuring participants of the finest and latest information and techniques.
For people who want to take control of their financial lives, we offer investment and personal financial planning classes. Master gardeners teach gardening, and professional designers lead the landscaping and interior design courses. Our art and photography instructors help students use new techniques to develop their works. The wellness courses include golf, yoga and tai chi, and the boating courses prepare students to obtain their CT Boating License. The Special Interests area covers a wide variety of topics in the performing arts, religion and new age philosophy.
College for Kids
College for Kids offers creative programs for children in first through ninth grade that are taught by knowledgeable, enthusiastic instructors. These are creative enrichment programs designed to spark the curiosity of our youngest students. College for Kids includes a wide variety of courses including computer science, chess, art, science, languages, engineering, math and culinary classes.
College for Kids is offered as “Friday is Family Night” and on Saturday throughout the fall and spring. It offers a program for eight weeks during the summer. Call (203) 857-7080 for more information.
Lifetime Learners Institute
Lifetime Learners Institute (LLI) is a community-based voluntary association of seniors who share a love of learning and a desire to help their community. It offers a wide variety of programs and events designed for enrichment. LLI has more than 900 members who enjoy a wide variety of activities and donate their time and assistance to the College.
LLI offers classes in many fields of interest from art and science to history and music. The members participate in numerous activities including brown bag lunch seminars and trips to major points of interest. They provide valuable assistance to the College and the NCC Foundation. Call (203) 857-3330 for more information.
English as a Second Language (Non-Credit)
This program is designed for students whose native language is not English. These non-native speakers are taught the basics of speaking and listening, and reading and writing English with a focus on academic writing. This program consists of six different levels of proficiency offered at various times throughout the day and evening, weekdays and Saturdays, during the fall, spring and summer.
The classes help adult students learn English for work, family needs, higher level English classes and college courses. Students from approximately 60 different countries participate in the ESL program. A placement test is given upon application. Classes are held in Norwalk.
NCC also offers credit-bearing ESL classes to prepare students for English Composition and other college-level coursework. Call (203) 857-7176 for more information or visit www.norwalk.edu/dept/esl.
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