Understand the most efficient and effective ways to obtain income from your investments during retirement to make sure the money lasts! Learn to structure your assets so that they can be passed on to your heirs in a tax-efficient way. Students discuss the most common mistakes that retirees make with their finances and learn how to avoid them. Finally, learn how to create a legacy for your family, a charity, or any other cause that you are passionate about. (Because this course is self-supporting, no tuition waivers or exemptions are allowed.) 14 hours.

Polish and improve the sewing skills needed to start your small business. The principles of basic professional clothing alterations, along with mastering alteration techniques are explored. The risks and requirements of offering this professional service to the public are investigated along with business topics on networking, cash flow budgets, contacts, and supplies. Prerequisite: Previous sewing knowledge. A sewing machine is needed throughout the course. 24 hours.

This course is designed to introduce occupational mathematical concepts and practical examples. Course topics include principles and applications of decimals, fractions, percents, ratio and proportion, order of operations, geometry, measurement, and elements of algebra and statistics. Upon completion, students should be able to perform basic computations and solve relevant, multi-step mathematical programs using technology where appropriate. Textbook required. 40 hours.

Get ready to turn your classroom into an active, balanced, and creative environment for learning literacy. Teachers will have the opportunity to learn activities and techniques to engage children in the art of learning various aspects of literacy. The course also includes having students understand ways to share literature (book reports, dramatization, etc.), as well as focuses on the Balanced Literacy Approach. This course has been approved by Durham Public Schools for license renewal credit in reading methods. Upon concluding the course, Durham Public Schools’ teachers should present their certificate of completion to Ms. Alvera Lesane to obtain license renewal credit. Teachers from other school systems should contact the appropriate staff development person in their system to obtain approval to take this course for renewal credit. 30 hours. 3.0 TRCs.

This interactive class teaches students about the financial services profession and general investing strategies. Students discuss the pros and cons of investing, including the reasons to invest along with the risks involved. Learn about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and annuities as well as the types of accounts available, such as IRAs, ROTH IRAs, and 401(k)s. Gain exposure and knowledge about requirements for working in the financial services industry, in addition to a better understanding of the strategies and benefits of helping yourself and others reach their financial goals. 14 hours.

Are you considering taking the GRE or GMAT but feel overcome with anxiety about the math sections? Concentrating on the fundamental math concepts that appear on college entrance exams, this class covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and word problems. The key to improving your score on the GRE is practice, practice, and practice! This course also includes an overview of the format of these tests and test-taking techniques. Practice tests and computer-assisted tutorials are part of the instructional package. 36 hours.

We have done makeovers for homes and people; now give your business an extreme marketing makeover. This course is strategically designed for business owners who want to position their business to compete at a higher level while attracting larger and more profitable clients. These interactive sessions empower students to totally redevelop their company’s marketing concepts, map out new marketing objectives, and implement innovative practices that allow them to maximize their marketing efforts. At the end of this intense course, participants have an improved company image and a written plan for their new marketing vision. 24 hours.

Learn the basics and develop a better understanding of floral arranging using fresh and silk flowers. Tie bows, make corsages, and create designs in both traditional and contemporary styles. Translate your arranging skills into a business environment, whether it is your own small business or working for an established floral shop. Flowers for participant projects included. 30 hours.

This course is designed for the “do-it-yourself” homeowners, those hiring a design professional, and those interested in becoming an interior decorator, re-designer, real estate stager, or interior designer. Topics include design flow, space planning, selecting color and paint techniques, furniture, fabric, lighting, accessories, and organizing. The last two sessions focus on making a career out of your passion, hiring contractors, and bringing design/decorating into perspective. This class is not designed to train you to be an interior designer. However, you will have fun and gain knowledge for handling and completing “do-it-yourself” projects and possibly turning your passion into a career. 25 hours.

This course is designed for those who would like to pursue a professional acting career in film or television.  Course topics include understanding techniques for appearing before a camera and preparing for TV and film auditions, including cold reads. The course explains the demands of an actor’s work-day including call time, makeup, wardrobe, reporting to set and working with agents, managers, and casting companies.  The student will learn how to overcome stage fright, fundamentals of good acting such as physical and vocal control, character development, script analysis, and understanding the basics of theatre. 36 hours.

The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) has established a professional certification, the Certified Bookkeeper (CB) credential, a widely recognized professional standard for working bookkeepers. The course focuses on the national certification exam using six workbooks prepared by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers, adjusting entries (accruals and deferrals); correction of accounting errors, including bank reconciliation, depreciation, basic payroll, and merchandise inventory; and internal controls and fraud prevention. Students are tested on the first four subjects at a local Prometric Test Center and on the last two subjects in class. Course registration and six workbooks are included. Exam costs (approximately $200) through a Prometric Testing Center are not included. 80 hours.

Learn the concepts behind personal fitness, health, and well-being. The Personal Trainer Certification course is designed to adequately prepare students for the accredited NFPT-CPT Personal Trainer Board Certification Exam. The course includes the study of basic human anatomy, program development, business and legal considerations, documentation, marketing personal fitness, and one-on-one training methodologies, with an emphasis on the development of safe and enjoyable individualized training sessions. The final exam for this course meets strict criteria identified by the National Federation of Professional Trainers; and upon successful completion, the student qualifies as a certified personal fitness trainer. 44 hours.

This unique training program is designed to enhance career opportunities in manufacturing and to provide manufacturers with a world-class workforce. The program utilizes industry-based skill standards and national certification programs. It has garnered the recommendation of the National Association of Manufacturers’ Center for Workforce Success and the North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry. Fundamental skills consist of manufacturing concepts, measurements and math, teamwork and communications, problem solving, statistical process control, blueprint reading, the business of manufacturing, or computers in manufacturing. Basic concepts of manufacturing are introduced by emphasizing the importance of quality and its role in company profitability and job sustainability. 96 hours.

This two-day intensive course covers the principles of safety and sanitation in the food service industry. It is designed for experienced food service employees and managers who need to comply with local, state, and the National Restaurant Association requirements for food manager/food handler certification or recertification. Key topics include contamination and food-borne illnesses, food protection, HACCP, cleaning, sanitizing, accident prevention, and management requirements for safety. Textbook required. 16 hours.

Este curso de dos días cubre las reglas de seguridad y sanitación de la industria de servicio de alimentos. Esta diseñado para empleados y supervisore con experiencia que necesitan seguir regulaciones del departamento de salud ambos local y de estado para una certificación. Temas principales incluyen contaminación y enfermedades a cause de alimentos contaminados, protección de alimentos, HACCP, limpieza, sanitación, y prevención de accidents. Textbook required. 16 horas.

Strategic planning should not be an intimidating topic reserved for MBAs and consultants. Learn a practical approach to understanding and implementing the concepts of strategic planning by drawing on the fundamentals of finance, operational planning, marketing, market research and basic forecasting. Designed with the adult learner in mind, Strategic Planning for the Real World combines both traditional classroom training with learner initiated involvement and culminates with the presentation of a strategic plan developed in a small group format. 36 hours.

This course covers “the nuts and bolts” of grammar and sound. Exploring the basic structure of language, this course creates the foundation from which you learn to teach English as a second language. Discover the secrets of successful foreign language/ESL instruction. Gain knowledge on learning styles and learning modalities; multiple intelligences; and how to use music, movement, props, visuals, and games in your classroom. Also explore the applications of reading and writing, cultural variations, issues, and trends in ESL as well as teaching methodologies. Textbook required. 25 hours.

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