Workforce Development

Wake Tech's mission is to provide equitable access to education that transforms lives through economic mobility and personal fulfillment. The Workforce Development Division achieves this mission through the multitude of program offerings we provide.

Workforce Development Registrar
The Workforce Development registrar oversees all non-degree registration and reporting processes to ensure accuracy and quality and to comply with North Carolina General Statues, North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges Code, North Carolina Community College System numbered memoranda, the Wake Tech Accountability and Credibility Plan and Workforce Development guidelines.

Admissions
Any adult (18 years old or older) or any emancipated minor not enrolled in public school may be admitted to a Wake Tech adult education class. Minors (16 or 17 years old) may enroll in some Wake Tech classes; however, minors must register in person on a Wake Tech campus. Get more information about admissions and registration for minors.

An interactive course schedule is available at wcecatalog.waketech.edu. For more information about non-degree classes, call 919-866-5800.

Wake Tech awards continuing education units (CEUs) for specific non-degree courses and special activities. A permanent transcript will be established for each non-degree student and updated each time the student completes a non-degree course. One CEU will be awarded for every 10 hours of non-degree instruction. For example, a 66-hour non-degree course earns 6.6 CEUs. CEUs are awarded to students upon satisfactorily completing a non-degree course.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools became the first regional accrediting agency to require that all member institutions use CEUs to document non-degree special activities.

Workforce Development transcripts
Students who have taken non-degree classes may request copies of their official transcripts.

Unofficial transcripts may be obtained by logging into Self-Service, entering a Wake Tech username and password and clicking on "Transcript" in the Academic Profile area. Students who do not have a Wake Tech username and password must submit an electronic Student Record Inquiry form.

All classes except Adult High School classes use the S-U system.

S = Satisfactory (attended at least 80% of scheduled class hours)*
U = Unsatisfactory
NG = No grade
W = Withdraw
SR = Senior citizen audit

*Individual courses may vary in attendance policy and requirements to attain "Satisfactory" status. Contact appropriate Workforce Development staff to determine specific requirements.

CEUs are awarded only for Satisfactory grades.

Adult High School

Adult High School classes use a 10-point scale for an A-F grading system.

A (90-100) = Excellent
B (80-89) = Above average
C (70-79) = Average
D (60-69) = Below average
F (0-69) = Failed/unsatisfactory
W = Withdraw
NG = No grade

All Wake Tech campuses provide numerous Workforce Development courses and services. Other classes are conducted in surrounding communities or within a particular business or industry in Wake County. Almost any course can and will be organized in other areas of the county when a sufficient number of citizens indicate an interest in having a class brought to a particular location, provided that there's an instructor and suitable facility.

Site locations and abbreviations can be found at online.

Although course descriptions for Workforce Development courses are not provided in this publication, examples of the types of courses that are offered are listed. Course descriptions are furnished upon request. Descriptions for classes currently open for registration are listed in the online schedule. Courses may be offered to meet expressed needs of the community when evidence of these needs is presented to the college.

The following registration fees are required for community service and occupational extension Workforce Development courses:

1-24 hours = $70
25-50 hours = $125
51+ hours = $180

Other fees (facility, campus access, technology or lab fees) may also be required for certain courses.

Note: Fees are set by the state legislature and are subject to change without notice.

1D SBCCC 1000.2, senior citizens, age 65 or older, may audit courses with the following considerations:

• No charge for tuition or registration fees, although they may be charged local fees associated with course sections
• Enrollment into a course is dependent on space availability
• Self-support courses are not eligible

Registration fees are not required for Adult Basic Education programs, High School Equivalency Preparation, Adult High School or English as a Second Language programs.

Registration fees may be waived for certain classes for fire service, rescue and law enforcement personnel. Eligibility for fee waiver is contingent on authorized agency affiliation and authorized groups, dictated by North Carolina General Statutes and the State Board of Community College Code.  

Self-supporting classes have a pro-rated cost per individual or group and are not eligible for fee waiver.  

High School Equivalency testing fees

GED^® and HiSET^® are the high school equivalency tests offered at Wake Tech’s Beltline Education Center. The GED^®, a four-part, computer-based test, costs $80 total, or $20 per section. The HiSET^®, a five-part, paper-based test, costs $75 total, or $15 per section.

Testing fees must be paid through the test vendor websites at the time of registration using a debit or credit card or voucher. All sections of either exam must be passed to earn the credential.

Requests for withdrawals and refunds must be made in writing by the student (no exceptions) to the Workforce Development Registrar’s Office. Request a refund. 

• A 100% refund will be given if the student officially withdraws from the class (by written request) before the first class meeting.
• A 75% refund will be given if the student officially withdraws from the class (by written request) on or before the 10% date of scheduled hours. Community school, facility and lab fees are non-refundable.

For classes for which the college collects receipts that are not required to be deposited into the State Treasury account, the college will adopt local refund policies.

A full refund will be given for classes canceled by the college. Students do not have to request these refunds.

Students may transfer from one course to another during a given semester as long as neither course has passed the 10% point of total scheduled course hours. Students must request transfer in writing by completing a Course Transfer Request form (Wake Tech Form 980) or sending an email to the Workforce Development Registrar's Office at [email protected].

Requests received after the 10% point will not be considered, and a refund will not be given.

College & Career Readiness includes Adult Basic Education (ABE), Pathfinder Career Exploration for adults with intellectual disabilities, High School Equivalency Preparation (HSEP), Adult High School (AHS), High School Equivalency Preparation (HEP) and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. These programs are offered throughout Wake County for the primary purposes of helping adults:

• Improve math, reading, writing and technology skills for the purposes of pursuing post-secondary education, employment or advancement in the workplace
• Earn a high school equivalency diploma
• Learn English as a second language
• Explore career options

Ability to Benefit Policy
All participants must demonstrate the ability to benefit from the program by successfully completing one of the following pre-tests approved by the U.S. Department of Education: TABE, CASAS or BEST. Students unable to complete the pre-test may be admitted to the program at a future date once they are able to complete the pre-test.

Once enrolled, educational progress in the College & Career Readiness program is expected and defined by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, which indicates students will demonstrate improvement in literacy skill levels in reading, writing and speaking the English language, numeracy, problem-solving, English language acquisition and other literacy skills. Improvements must be sufficient enough to move students to higher placement/educational functioning levels.

Students who do not demonstrate movement to higher placement levels on College & Career Readiness tests (TABE, CASAS or BEST) after one year from the date of enrollment may be dropped from the Wake Tech program and referred to other agencies. For students with a diagnosed intellectual disability, a level improvement must be demonstrated within two program years, or they may be dropped from the Wake Tech program and referred to other agencies.

The Ability to Benefit Policy does not apply to HEP.

Adult Basic Education (ABE) is designed to assist individuals who want to improve their skills to enter or advance in the workplace and/or prepare for enrollment in one of the college's high school equivalency completion programs.

There are no fees or charges of any kind. All materials have been especially prepared for adults. Students enrolled in ABE classes are taught from the following content standards using contextualized teaching practices:

• Reading
• Writing
• Math
• Technology
• Career exploration

The High School Equivalency Preparation (HSEP) program offers instruction for adults who are preparing for high school equivalency exams and for transition into post-secondary education and employment. Instruction covers high school-level reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies skills. Students may prepare for the exam at various locations throughout Wake County or by enrolling in Wake Tech's online HSEP programs. Tuition is free, and course materials are provided for students.

Those achieving a passing score on all sections of the HSEP exams receive a high school equivalency diploma from the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges. The high school equivalency diploma is generally recognized for college admission and employment.

The Adult High School diploma is offered through a cooperative agreement between Wake Tech and the Wake County Board of Education, with Wake Tech serving as administering agency.

Adult High School provides academic courses in a lab setting or online. Students are placed in English, mathematics, social studies, science and elective courses based on their high school transcripts. Students are awarded an Adult High School diploma upon completion of required North Carolina high school courses. 

The Adult High School diploma is offered at the Beltline Education Center. While enrolled in this program, students may be dually enrolled in select curriculum pathway courses as they work on their high school completion diploma.

The Pathfinder Career Exploration program is designed for adults with disabilities and those who struggle academically. Students should have a high level of independence and be focused on transitioning to the workplace. Wake Tech offers six Employability Skills-Focused Cohorts and two Career Pathways.

Call 919-334-1545 for more information.

English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are designed for adult, non-native-English speakers. The ESL program focuses on developing college and career readiness skills, including technology, civics and workplace experiences through contextualized speaking, listening, reading and writing instruction.

ESL classes prepare students to live, work and continue their post-secondary education in the United States. Instructors assist students with workplace skills, cultural enrichment and professional and academic advancement. A variety of teacher-led, interactive online and seated class options are available, as well as Saturday, citizenship and integrated career classes.

The High School Equivalency Program (HEP) is a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Migrant Education to Wake Tech. The purpose of the HEP grant is to provide migratory and seasonal farm workers and their immediate families the instruction and support services necessary to earn a high school equivalency credential and, subsequently, gain upgraded employment, be placed in an institution of higher education or other post-secondary education/training or enter the military.

HEP operates in partnership with other community organizations throughout the state of North Carolina.

The BioNetwork Capstone Center provides affordable, high-quality, hands-on training in biotechnology, biomanufacturing and biopharmaceutical/pharmaceutical operations in a simulated industrial (cGMP) environment. The BioNetwork Capstone Center is in the Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center on North Carolina State University's Centennial Campus. It provides a training environment that mirrors a biomanufacturing plant facility with state-of-the-art classrooms, industrial-grade equipment laboratories and a certified cleanroom suite.

The BioNetwork Capstone Center serves:

• Incumbent workers
• New hires
• Workers in job transition
• Community college and college students enrolled in the life sciences, especially in biotechnology-related degree and certificate programs.
• College/university and community college faculty

Four certificates are offered by the BioNetwork Capstone Center. Courses can be taken individually and focus on critical skill sets in areas important to biomanufacturing: good manufacturing practices (GMP), aseptic manufacturing, operations in biotechnology processes, industrial microbiology, good laboratory practices (GLP), HPLC and validation.

• BioNetwork Capstone Certificate in Biomanufacturing
• BioNetwork Capstone Certificate in Analytical Lab Skills
• BioNetwork Capstone Certificate for Instrumentation/Calibration Technicians in Support of Biomanufacturing
• BioNetwork Capstone Certificate in Computer Validation

Real Estate
Are you looking for your first step toward real estate licensure? This pre-licensing real estate course meets North Carolina Real Estate Commission requirements for submitting a provisional broker application to the state. The course introduces students to real estate principles, with a strong emphasis on real estate law and practice.

Substitute Effective Teacher Training
Are you a prospective substitute teacher who needs help developing instructional material? This course teaches the skills of time management and presentation skills, discipline strategies and hands-on activities for the classroom. Students will become familiar with North Carolina school laws and all levels of administrative expectations.

Languages and Lifelong Learning
The Languages and Lifelong Learning Department provides language instruction for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Classes focus on helping students build language skills for personal enrichment and enhanced employment opportunities. Examples of the languages that are offered include Spanish, Italian, Korean and American Sign Language. Examples of Lifelong Learning courses include Art, Pen and Ink, Investment, Basic Computer, Communication and Writing.

Wake Tech's Plus 50 initiative offers classes and events to help adults zero in on a new career, plan for retirement or simply enjoy this stage of life. Although these classes are designed for those 50 and older, everyone is welcome. Participants can learn new skills, enhance their resumes, maintain health and wellness or start new hobbies.

Professional Development and Corporate Training
Wake Tech offers a variety of courses to meet the supervisory and managerial needs of business and industry. Our courses help professionals increase proficiency and gain new skills to enhance competency and marketability. Participants can select from our many program areas and build the knowledge and skills to become effective members of their organizations. Professional Development courses are available in the following areas:

• Leadership, management and supervision
• Writing and communication
• Organizational improvement and analysis
• Professional certifications

Online Programs
Wake Tech's distance learning programs enhance the learning experience and increase student success overall. The programs succeed by partnering with leading educational organizations Ed2Go and CareerStep to deliver instruction online and by providing relevant courses and quality instruction. Wake Tech has a reputation for quality and for the strength of its faculty; online courses make these resources available to a greater number of students.

Commercial Craft Brewing
Are you interested in a career in beer brewing? This course prepares students for entry-level work in the enormously popular and growing craft brewing industry. Students explore the science of fermentation and the commercial aspects of operating a brewery through lectures and hands-on training. Classmates will produce beer to demonstrate their understanding of the process.

Notary Public Education
Become a notary public in North Carolina. Students discuss the legal, ethical and procedural requirements for notaries according to state laws. The Office of the Secretary of the State of North Carolina trains, tests, qualifies and commissions notaries. Also, Workforce Development offers an Electronic Notary course that allows a notary to affix an electronic signature and notary seal that are legally binding. Participants learn the electronic requirements to perform notary duties legally and ethically.

Auctioneering
Do you want to become a licensed auctioneer in the state of North Carolina? This course provides a working knowledge of the auction business, including conducting auctions, ethics, contract drafting, bid calling, basic mathematical computations and percentages, advertising, settlement statements and laws and rules related to auctioneering. Upon completion, students can take the license exam offered by the North Carolina Auctioneer Board.

Motorcycle Safety
Are you in need of a motorcycle safety course? This course is designed for new riders who have never ridden a motorcycle and for riders who have not ridden in a long time. This is a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course; successful students will receive endorsement cards and will not have to take the riding portion of the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles test.

Drones
Are you interesting in learning how to operate a drone? This course is designed for those interested in using a drone for business purposes, have questions about commercial uses or are seeking more knowledge for recreational use. The course prepares the student for that test with classroom instruction and instructor feedback.

The Professional Services & Vocational Training Division provides continuous workforce training for adults aspiring to advance or start new careers and trades. The division's priority is enriching the lives of adults by providing the education and practical experience necessary to excel in specific careers. Classroom instruction is combined with practical experience to prepare students for North Carolina state board exams and actual scenarios encountered on the job. Students have opportunities to gain certifications and training that will put them on the fast track to employment.

Vocational training classes provide development in programs such as Electrical Wiring, HVAC, Apartment Maintenance, Healthcare Facilities Manager and many others. Basic computer skills and software training classes are also taught in Spanish.

Programs and courses include the following:

• Automotive Repair
• Automotive Safety
• Building Trades
• Machine Trades and Welding
• On-Board Diagnostic Emission Certification
• Plumbing

Training for these Workforce Development programs can be completed in three months or less:

• Building Envelope Specialist
• Building Envelope Specialist Exam
• Residential Building Analysis
• Residential Building Analysis  Exam
• Agribusiness and Sustainable Farming for the Family
• N.C. Barber Instructor Exam Prep
• Shampoo Technician Certification

Training for these Workforce Development programs can be completed in six months or less:

• Natural Hair Specialist
• Community Gardening/Intermediate Community Gardening/Advanced Gardening Concepts

Training for these Workforce Development programs can be completed in 12 months or less:

• School of Cosmetology

The following program areas provide training for public safety personnel and others who wish to increase competencies in specialized occupational areas.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
These courses are designed to meet the needs of local emergency services agencies, health care providers and the public, with an emphasis on emergency patient care in pre-clinical settings. EMS training also includes health education courses for those interested in health care and related institutions or retraining.

Fire service
Fire service training is delivered directly to local fire departments, allowing personnel to learn with the actual equipment they will use in controlling fires. Classes include those listed below, along with related classes in industrial brigade training, home fire safety and search and rescue:

• CPR & First Aid
• Ropes
• USAR
• Fire Hoses/Extinguishers
• Ladders
• Fire Officer I & II
• Instructor I & II
• Rescue Techniques
• EMR courses

Law enforcement
In-service training for law enforcement personnel is provided at the request of law enforcement agencies. Training emphasizes legal and technological law enforcement advancements. Programs include Criminal Investigation and the Police Law Institute, as well as those listed below:

• Radar/SMI
• Simunitions/Force on Force
• General Instructor
• Personal Protective Services
• Criminal Investigation
• Police Law Institute
• Legal Update (Arrest, Search & Seizure)
• Narcotics Detection/Investigations
• Accident Reconstruction

Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)

This program is designed to give students essential skills required for entry-level employment as law enforcement officers with state, county or municipal governments or with private enterprise. The program covers topics and uses instructional methods mandated by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. Topics include criminal, juvenile, civil, motor vehicle and alcoholic beverage laws; investigative, patrol, custody and court procedures; emergency responses; and community relations. The course is filled with practical exercises, and an extensive ethics section is woven throughout the training experience.

The Wake Tech BLET Academy offers the state commission-mandated 620-hour program, along with an additional 124 hours of training, for a total of 744 hours. The additional hours include officer survival, public speaking and other law enforcement-related training.

To qualify for the program, students must meet the minimum standards for the Certification of Law Enforcement Officers Administrative Code 12 NCAC 9B .0101/9B .0111 and Admission of Trainees 12 NCAC 09B .0203 ADMISSION OF TRAINEES.

Cadets completing the academy are eligible to take the state comprehensive written exam and skills testing. Upon successful completion of the BLET State Comprehensive Written Examination, the cadet has one year to be duly appointed and sworn as a law enforcement officer in North Carolina.

Corrections and detention
In-service corrections and detention training is provided for North Carolina Department of Public Safety personnel at the request of the department. Training emphasizes officer safety and inmate security and includes courses such as the following:

• Supervisory/Leadership and Mentoring
• Gang Awareness & Identification
• Teamwork
• Report Writing
• Promotional Examination Preparation
• Investigative & Interviewing Techniques
• Spanish For Corrections/Detention Personnel

The Occupational Services Division is comprised of departments that provide high-quality training to meet the workforce needs of the service industries in Wake County.

Workforce Allied Health: Training for entry-level employment in a health care setting, including courses to prepare students for higher-level nursing degree pathways. Training courses include Nurse Aide I (NAI), Nurse Aide II (NAII) and Nurse Aid Refresher. All courses are approved by the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation. The Medical Occupations service area prepares students to perform clerical and administrative duties in medical settings. Courses include Medical Terminology, Healthcare Billing & Coding, Medical Office Assistance, Electronic Health Records and EKG Monitor Technician. Students can be prepared for certification testing in their respective areas.

The Hospitality Training Department trains individuals in food service, lodging and travel information. Primary objectives are to provide hospitality industry employers with well-trained personnel and to help individuals develop skills that will qualify them for greater employment opportunities. Hospitality training is arranged and scheduled in accordance with the needs of the industry. Courses include Barista & Café, Hospitality Certification Program, ServSafe^®, Start a Food Truck Business, Bartending, Housekeeping, Certified Pool Operator and Activity Coordinator for Long-Term Care Facility.

Corrections education is delivered to individuals confined in Wake County facilities operated by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and the Wake County Sheriff's Office. The primary purpose of the program is to increase the safety of the general public by reducing recidivism via educational and vocational training.

BioWork is a 128-hour certificate course. Students who complete the course are equipped with entry-level skills required for becoming a process technician for a biotechnology, pharmaceutical or chemical-manufacturing company. BioWork is intended for high school graduates, for those in manufacturing industries who have lost their job and for those interested in starting new careers.

The Career Pathways Program & Student Resources Department is a Workforce Development strategy designed to develop students’ academic, technical and employability skills while offering services and resources to assist them in overcoming barriers that may impede their successful completion of the course and subsequent transition (back) into the workforce. Career coaches work closely with program coordinators and resource agencies to ensure program compliance and student success.

Training provided by Wake Tech can range from highly technical skill-building programs to broader professional development sessions and can be delivered in a variety of formats.

Apprenticeship training
Wake Tech has been designated by the North Carolina Community College System as a center for formal apprenticeship training. We assist companies' customized apprenticeship training programs by providing the instructional component of the apprenticeship experience. 

Industry training
Wake Tech assists area industry with a range of courses to train and retrain employees so that they remain competitive and up to date on industry standards. These courses are available at Wake Tech's Advanced Manufacturing Center or on site at company locations.

Custom training program
Wake Tech's custom training programs support North Carolina's economic development initiatives by providing training assistance for eligible business and industries. The programs enhance the growth potential of these companies and increase retention of the existing industry base while equipping North Carolina's workforce with the skills for successful employment in emerging industries.

Wake Tech's Entrepreneurship & Small Business Center helps people start and build their business.

Open to any resident within Wake County and free of charge, it offers the following services:

• Seminars, workshops and webinars that cover the basics of starting and expanding a business
• One-on-one, confidential business counseling with a plan customized for a business owner from startup to success
• A resource library to assist business owners
• Access to business planning and financial projections software and industry data reports
• Connections to lenders and sources of capital.

The center is part of the Small Business Center Network of North Carolina.

The mission of the LaunchWakeCounty community-based economic development program is to support and develop entrepreneurs and small businesses in under-resourced communities in Wake County. 

Participants in these no-fee programs are selected based on a competitive application and review process.

Each program includes the following elements:

• A 10-week training class that meets once a week for three hours.
• Hands-on mentoring
• Peer and community networking
• Assistance locating non-traditional sources of capital