SALISBURY – Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is launching a new PC and Networking Academy that offers training for advanced technology certification programs with industry-certified instructors who bring hands-on experience into the classroom. Students who meet eligibility requirements for the college’s NC Back to Work grant may receive financial assistance to cover the costs of tuition, fees, books and certification exams.
The PC and Networking Academy trains students to design, build and maintain local and wide-area networks, and to provide PC software and hardware support. Students will be prepared for networking, PC support and information technology (IT) related jobs in the public and private sectors, and for higher education in information technology, telecommunications, engineering, computer science and other related fields.
“Certifications are extremely important in IT,” said John Brand, a networking instructor at Rowan-Cabarrus with more than 20 years of industry experience. “This is an employment sector where there are lots of jobs, and we are very pleased to be able to offer these stackable credentials. The certifications allow our students to get to work quickly, and to also build upon their training, earning more certifications and ultimately more money.”
The classes are hands-on and provide immediate exposure to the various technologies, allowing students to gauge interest in certain areas. Students are prepared for Cisco and CompTIA certification exams at the end of the courses. The college also runs additional classes for these subsequent certifications.
The first course in the program is the 98-hour PC repair course that prepares students for entry-level PC repair technician jobs, as well as the CompTIA A+ certification exams. These courses are supplemented with online content that will better prepare the student for certification.
Students who successfully complete this program will be prepared for a variety of IT jobs, including help-desk support positions, entry-level network support positions, PC and network repair positions and wireless network support positions.
The PC repair class will meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Oct. 29-Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Goodwill Career Connections, 1923 S. Main St.
Prerequisites include prior computer experience or the Silver Level Career Readiness Certificate (CRC). Those interested in the Career Readiness Certificate can get started at the college’s Employability labs at Goodwill Career Connections or at the Cloverleaf Extension Center in Kannapolis.
The registration fee is $175 plus a $136 textbook. Funding may be available to those who qualify. For example, individuals who have received unemployment benefits for more than 26 weeks, as certified by the Department of Commerce, or individuals who have exhausted their unemployment benefits will qualify for the college’s new Back-to-Work program which covers tuition, books and exam fees, as well as student support and coaching.
Students are prepared for Cisco and CompTIA certification exams at the end of the course. The college also runs additional classes for these subsequent certifications.
For more information about Cisco and CompTIA certification classes, to schedule a tour of the PC and Networking Academy, or to register, please contact Donna Ludwig at 704-216-3668 or donna.ludwig@rccc.edu. Registration for spring classes is under way. For additional information about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, please visit www.rccc.edu.