Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) has a limited number of seats in its 2009 spring semester Cisco certification classes.
Prospective students should register soon. The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a sought-after certification in the computer network and security industry.
RCCC’s Cisco certification program, part of the college’s certified Cisco Academy, meets all Cisco requirements and prepares students to take the CCNA examination. Students who complete the program also can earn a Cisco Track Certificate in networking.
The 12-credit-hour certification program includes four classes, two of which are being offered during RCCC’s spring semester. For the first time, RCCC is offering the Cisco classes in a hybrid format, which combines online learning with face-to-face, in-class instruction.
Class instructors will deliver a large amount of the course content via the Internet, with a limited number of required on-campus meetings. In-class instruction will take place at RCCC’s Cabarrus Business & Technology Center in Concord.
The first Cisco class, CCNA 1 Networking Basics, starts Jan. 13 and runs through early March. The second course, CCNA 2 Routing Basics, begins March 24 and runs through mid-May.
Completion of the Cisco certification program also provides a foundation for students who want to pursue a diploma or associate degree in networking technologies or information systems security.
For more information about Cisco certification classes, and to schedule a tour of the RCCC Cisco Academy, contact John Brand at 704-216-3751 or Ruth Parker at 704-216-3787.
RCCC will hold general or late registration Jan. 6 on its North Campus, from 2 to 6 p.m., and Jan. 7 at its South Campus, from 2 to 6 p.m.
The Cabarrus Business & Technology Center is at 660 Concord Parkway North, in Concord.
RCCC offers training for state agencies
CONCORD ó The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration (AHR) Program and the Office of Customized Training at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College are providing training to North Carolina state agencies to help lower-income citizens save energy and reduce their energy expenses.
The first class of 16 state agency representatives will undergo the training at RCCC Jan. 5-9.
The N.C. Division of Health and Human Services’ Office of Economic Opportunity is working with RCCC to train more than 30 state agencies to provide services of the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program.
The program assists lower-income citizens by conducting home energy audits and diagnostic testing to determine levels of carbon monoxide and identify and recommend health, safety and heating-air conditioning efficiency improvements. Heating and air conditioning systems which are inoperable, highly inefficient or pose a health threat are repaired or replaced by the program.
Faculty members will provide two, week-long training sessions ó the first occurring Jan. 5-9. The sessions will focus on the mechanics and design of heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) systems. The training will take place at RCCC’s AHR facilities, located at the college’s Cabarrus Business & Technology Center in Concord.
RCCC offers three AHR options ó a certificate program, a one-year diploma program and a new two-year associate-degree program.
The certificate program prepares students for entry-level jobs with HVAC/R contractors. Students completing the diploma program are prepared for positions as residential and light commercial installation and service technicians. The associate-degree program provides added training needed to install and maintain commercial and industrial systems.
Over the last 18 months, approximately 30 graduates of the AHR programs at RCCC have taken the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification exam, and each of them passed it. The 100-percent passing rate is significantly higher than the rate for local technicians who have taken the national exam without enrolling first in an AHR program.
For more information, contact Joe Christie at 704-216-3908, instructor Jon Crockett at 704-216-3090, or instructor Fred Loving at 704-216-3912.
RCCC’s Continuing Education Department offers EPA technician certification training in CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) recovery. For more information, call 704-216-3514.
Free seminars at Small Business Center
The Small Business Center at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has announced its winter 2009 schedule of free seminars. These programs are offered for people thinking about starting a small business or currently operating their own business.
The SBC offers free seminars with support from the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce, the city of Kannapolis, the Rowan Business Alliance, the Small Business & Technology Development Center and Historic Downtown Salisbury.
The seminars cover a range of small business topics, including business start ups, business financing, marketing, internet business, business growth and development, taxes, recordkeeping and customer service.
For more information about the SBC and its programs, call RCCC at 704-216-3512, send e-mail to sbc@rowancabarrus.edu, or see the SBC website at www.rowancabarrus.edu/sbc/.
Upcoming SBC seminars, offered free-of-charge, include:
– This is the Year to Start Your Business ó 6:30-8:30 p.m., Jan. 12 at RCCC’s Cabarrus Business & Technology Center, 660 Concord Parkway N. in Concord. Featuring Louis Foreman of the PBS show, “Everyday Edisons.”
– Business Start Up ó 6:30-8:30 p.m., Jan. 12 at the Cabarrus Business & Technology Center, and 6:30-8:30 p.m., Feb. 11 at the Kannapolis Train Station, 306 N. Main St.
– Best Businesses to Start Now ó 6:30-8:30 p.m., Jan. 20 at the Cabarrus Business & Technology Center.
– Developing Your Business Plan ó 6:30-8:30 p.m., March 11 at the Kannapolis Train Station.
– Funding Your Business ó 6:30-8:30 p.m., Feb. 18 at the Kannapolis Train Station, and 9-10:30 a.m., March 19 at the Bank of the Carolinas in Concord.
– Easy Steps to Creating a Marketing Plan ó 6:30-8:30 p.m., Feb. 9 at the Cabarrus Business & Technology Center.
– Business Web site Trends ó 6:30-8:30 p.m., March 26 at the South branch of Rowan Public Library in China Grove.
– Tax Planning and Reporting ó 6:30-8:30 p.m., Feb. 2 at Rowan Public Library in Salisbury, and 6:30-8:30 p.m., March 5 at the Cabarrus Business & Technology Center.
– Greening Your Business ó 6:30-8:30 p.m., Jan. 14 at the Kannapolis Train Station.
– LEAN Principles for Small Businesses ó 6:30-8:30 p.m., Feb. 25 at the Kannapolis Train Station.
– Employment Law: What You Need to Know ó 6:30-8:30 p.m., March 16 at the Cabarrus Business & Technology Center.