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.

Students enrolled in non-degree Workforce Training courses, including state-funded and self-supporting courses, may be eligible for refunds under specific conditions and requirements described herein.

Definitions

Refunds must be requested online through the Self-Service portal. Students need to activate their accounts to begin this process. For assistance, students may contact the Workforce Development Registrar's Office at [email protected] or 919-866-5800.

• A 100% refund will be given if the student withdraws before the first class meeting.
• A 75% refund will be given if the student withdraws by the 10% date of scheduled hours.
• Refunds for self-supporting courses require students to officially withdraw at least 48 hours before the course start date/time.
• No refund is given for withdrawals after the 10% point for state-funded courses.
• Full refunds are automatically issued for courses canceled by the college.

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.

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 provides continuous workforce training for adults aspiring to advance or start new careers and trades. The 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

Wake Tech's Allied Health and Nursing workforce programs offer a range of non-degree courses to equip students with the essential skills needed for entry-level roles in the health care industry. These programs provide hands-on training and prepare students for industry-recognized certifications, creating pathways to immediate employment and long-term career advancement in health care.

Non-degree offerings include the following:

• Nurse Aide I (NAI), Nurse Aide II (NAII) and Nurse Aide Refresher
  Approved by the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation, these courses prepare students for direct patient care roles.
• Medical Billing & Coding
  Develop essential skills in medical insurance processing, coding and documentation while preparing for industry-recognized credentials, including Certified Professional Biller (CPB), Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and dual CPB and CPC certification.
• EKG Technician
  Gain expertise in cardiac monitoring and rhythm analysis, with preparation for the Certified EKG Technician (CET) credential.
• Phlebotomy
  Train in specimen collection techniques, a critical function in medical diagnostics. The course prepares students for American Society for Clinical Pathology certification.
• Massage Therapy
  Learn therapeutic techniques to promote wellness, rehabilitation and patient care. Courses prepare students for the North Carolina Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam.
• Personal Trainer
  Prepare for a nationally recognized certification in fitness and wellness training.

Wake Tech also offers courses in Dental Assisting, Medical Sonography, Mammography, Medical Scribe, Mental Health Technician, Neurodiagnostics and other specialized health care fields.

Programs offer accessible entry points into high-demand health care careers, whether students aim to enter the workforce quickly or build a foundation for continued professional growth.

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 Programs Division offers a range of courses designed to equip individuals with the skills needed to achieve their goals. Courses provide comprehensive education, licensure preparation, practical experience and personal enrichment.

Barbering
Become part of an industry that's always in demand. Prepare for employment as an apprentice and as a registered barber. Learn theory and practice for cutting, coloring, styling and relaxing hair; shampooing and scalp treatments; shaving; and facials. Learn about barbering products, customer service and barber shop management. Instructors are licensed by the North Carolina Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners and stay current on new methods and services, seminars and conferences. On completion of this program, individuals will be eligible to take the state apprentice licensure exam.

Cosmetology
Learn the art of cosmetology at Wake Tech's streamlined, non-degree School of Cosmetology. Prepare to be workforce ready by focusing solely on hands-on training and preparing for the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners certification exam. Additionally, individuals interested in becoming a natural hair care specialist can train at Wake Tech's Beltline Education Center. The program prepares current and prospective natural hair care specialists for board requirements and licensure and also allows existing cosmetologists to earn continuing education units.

Real Estate
Take the 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.

Auctioneering
Become a licensed auctioneer in the state of North Carolina. This course provides a working knowledge of the auction business. Upon completion, students can take the license exam offered by the North Carolina Auctioneer Board.

Substitute Effective Teacher Training
Work every day or just one day a month – whatever fits your needs. Obtain the requirements to become a substitute teacher and gain time management and presentation skills, discipline strategies and hands-on activities for the classroom.

Test Prep
Test-prep classes can be a game-changer for students aiming to excel on high-stakes exams. Classes provide structured learning environments tailored to specific tests, such as the SAT, TEAS or FAA107. Instructors, who are often experts in the subject matter, guide students through the content, strategies and question formats they will encounter. The classes also offer practice exams, which help students become familiar with the test's timing and pressure, ultimately boosting their confidence and performance on the big day. For many, test-prep classes transform anxiety and uncertainty into preparedness and poise.

Communication and Languages
Wake Tech provides non-degree communication and language instruction for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Classes help students build language skills for personal enrichment and enhanced employment opportunities.

Personal Enrichment
The college offers a range of courses designed to meet your personal goals. Examples include Art, Acting, Investment and Basic Computer Training.

Professional Development and Corporate Training
Wake Tech offers a variety of courses to meet the supervisory and managerial needs of business and industry. Courses help professionals increase proficiency and gain new skills to enhance competency and marketability. Individuals can select from 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 has a reputation for quality and the strength of its faculty, but the college also partners with leading educational organizations to deliver instruction online in an asynchronous environment. By providing relevant courses and quality instruction in a platform to meet the needs of even more students, Wake Tech is here to help people succeed.

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 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.

Animal Science
Wake Tech offers an array of animal-focused courses designed to cater to both aspiring professionals and passionate animal enthusiasts. Dog Grooming classes provide hands-on training in various grooming techniques, ensuring pets leave looking their best. For those interested in wildlife care, Raptor Rehabilitation and Small Mammal Rehabilitation courses offer unique opportunities to learn how to nurse injured birds of prey and small mammals back to health.

BioWork
Students who complete the 128-hour BioWork certificate course are equipped with entry-level skills required to become 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 jobs and for those interested in starting new careers.

Wake Tech and the Wake County Public School System partner to offer BioWork as an approved high-school Career & College Promise dual-enrollment program in local participating high schools.

BioNetwork Capstone Center
The center provides affordable, high-quality, hands-on training in biotechnology, biomanufacturing and biopharmaceutical/pharmaceutical operations in a simulated industrial (cGMP) environment. Located in the Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center on North Carolina State University's Centennial Campus, the center 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 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

Occupational Services provides quality, short-term, educational and vocational training programs that enhance, improve and meet the workforce development needs of the community while also fulfilling the needs of service industries.

Corrections education
Courses are 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 mission is to provide educational and vocational opportunities for immured and justice-involved individuals residing in Wake County. Wake Tech is committed to providing academic, technical and workplace skills training for justice-involved individuals to enhance their ability to acquire and maintain jobs upon release and reduce recidivism.

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Center
The center provides free help to Wake County residents wanting to start and build businesses. The center provides small-business owners with the information they need, including free training and one-on-one confidential business counseling, seminars and workshops. Wake Tech also offers Launch programs, in-depth, 30-hour training for small-business owners. The Launch programs are community-based cohort programs that take a 10-week course approach to teaching small, underserved businesses in the community about the skills and mindset necessary to start, build and sustain a business. These programs exist in the municipalities of Wake County and are designed as partnerships with stakeholders from each town, with Wake Tech as the educational partner handling the instruction and curriculum.

Hospitality Training
Individuals are trained in food service, lodging, craft beer brewing and travel. The 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 according to the needs of the industry. Training is delivered through a combination of theory and practical learning, as well as innovative educational platforms that include online, hybrid and traditional methods of learning. The training provides opportunities for students to interact with hospitality leaders and industry professionals.

Workforce Development Financial Resources & Student Support
The program is designed for non-degree students to earn industry-recognized credentials through an accelerated training schedule by providing support services, such as scholarship opportunities and referrals. The services develop students' academic and technical skills to make them more employable. Workforce Development staff also help students obtain the financial assistance needed to overcome challenges that get in the way of completing a course, gaining a credential and moving into or returning to the workforce. Wake Tech offers an array of academic support for students, from campus libraries for research to free tutoring.

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.

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 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.