March 10, 2010
For immediate use

(DURHAM, N.C.) – Durham Technical Community College will host free orientation sessions for a new round of JobsNOW short-term training that can be completed in six months or less. Durham Tech recently received additional funding for JobsNOW, a collaborative effort by the state’s community colleges and the N.C. Department of Commerce that is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Two orientation sessions will be held on Wednesday, March 17 and on Monday, March 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Education Resource Center auditorium on Durham Tech's main campus. The sessions focus on nine training programs, as well as the Career Readiness Certificate assessment and other job readiness resources. Financial assistance opportunities exist for those who are unemployed or underemployed and will be addressed at the information sessions by Workforce Investment Act employment program representatives. A question and answer session is included. The following programs are scheduled:

• Auto Detailing, begins May 17. Students learn five major areas of automotive detailing and refurbishing.
• BioManufacturing Process Technician, begins April 12.  Prepare for entry-level technician positions in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and chemical engineering industries.
• BioPharma Lab Assistant, begins May 3. Master basic laboratory techniques. The course includes an “externship” with a local biotech company.
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Training, begins May 18. Students are introduced to emergency pre-hospital care and basic emergency patient care.
• Health Unit Coordinator, begins May 17. The training consists of technical and non-technical medical office procedures and customer service skills to work in health care facilities.
• Nursing Assistant, begins May 17. Develop the skills and knowledge to become a nursing assistant in health care facilities.
• Phlebotomy, begins May 3. Develop the skills needed for proper collection of blood and other specimens used for diagnostic laboratory testing.
• Solar Technology, Evening course begins May 17, day course June 1. Understand basic terms and operational aspects of a photovoltaic system (solar technology.) 
• Sustainable Landscaping, begins June 1. Learn effective landscaping, including site selection, pollutant source control, ventilation effectiveness, and monitoring systems.

Also, please visit us on the web at  www.durhamtech.edu/JobsNOW/index.htm

The Main Campus of Durham Tech is located off exit 10, Briggs Avenue of the Durham Freeway.