Students can earn career technical certificates in a year or less

(Orange, CA)— As technology changes, so do job skills. That’s why Santiago Canyon College's  (SCC) career technical certificate courses continue to be popular with local residents. Courses, which are free, provide employment preparation for high-demand Orange County jobs such as web design, medical billing, administrative secretary, and supervisor/manager office administration.

According to Rosemary Touyanou, student services coordinator with SCC’s Continuing Education Division which administers the career technical certificate program, adults enroll in courses for different reasons.  “Adults who are already in the workforce, may want to update and refresh their work skills, or prepare for a promotion. Adults looking for a job, enroll to acquire needed work skills to give them a competitive edge in the job market,” says Touyanou.  “The best thing is that our certificate programs are affordable—they’re free. What might cost thousands of dollars at a private college, our students earn for free.”

Local employers, like MMFX Technologies of Irvine, see the benefit of these courses. Trade show coordinator and graphic designer Mizka Brick of Orange, a seven-year employee of the national construction company,  took Web Associate courses a couple of years ago to refresh her skills on the newest software. Though in her native Chile she worked as a graphic designer for a prominent company, much had changed over the years. “At first, I didn’t have permission from my employer to take a course in the afternoon, so I took classes at night and on the weekends,” says Brick. “After completing my first course, my company saw the value of my new skills, and they gave me permission to take more courses, but this time during the day.” Today, Brick designs the company’s print and online advertising, oversees website maintenance, and creates internal forms and spreadsheets, in addition to other responsibilities.

To keep course curriculum relevant and up-to-date, the division works closely with a business industry advisory council. Students can either register in single courses, or several classes as part of a course sequence in order to earn a certificate of completion. Certificates can be earned in a year or less. To accommodate students, classes are open entry which means students can start anytime during the year, pending available space. Courses are offered spring, summer, and fall during mornings, afternoons, weekday evenings, and Saturdays. Registration for summer and fall courses is now open. The six-week summer session begins July 1. For enrollment information and class schedule, visit www.sccollege.edu/oec or call (714) 628-5900.

Courses that provide employment preparation in high demand occupations in Orange County include:

• Medical billing courses give students the skills necessary to hold a medical biller position. Students learn to use patient billing software, and become familiar with the guidelines of health care plans in order to submit documentation for reimbursement.
• The Web Associate program prepares students to support marketing and advertising departments by learning how to design Web pages, develop HTML code, and use digital images. Courses include Introduction to Web Design using Adobe Dreamweaver, Introduction to Electronic Imaging using Adobe Photoshop, and Introduction to Desktop Editing using Adobe Premiere.
• Executive Secretary/Administrative Assistant courses prepare students to create text documents, databases, and spreadsheets. In California, an average of 4,000 job openings for executive secretaries and administrative assistants is projected annually through 2020. The median hourly wage in California in 2013 was about $26, or around $54,000 annually.*
• First-Line Supervisor/Manager, Office and Administrative Support Workers courses are designed for both entry-level and experienced office workers looking for a promotion. Students gain office skills, and in-depth software knowledge. In 2013, the median hourly wage in California was $26.70, or $55,538 annually. In California, an average of 7,000 job openings  per year for first-line supervisor/manager and office and administrative support workers is projected through 2020.**

“It’s a feeling of accomplishment when we see our students transition into careers, or post-secondary education,” confirms Touyanou.

About SCC Division of Continuing Education
Santiago Canyon College’s Division of Continuing Education serves more than 6,000 students per semester. For over 40 years, the SCC’s Division of Continuing Education has offered free, non-credit classes year-round for residents desiring to earn a high school diploma, citizenship, learn English, or earn a certificate for a career in occupations such as medical billing, web design, and office administration. Offered at several locations in the city of Orange, flexible open entry/open exit classes are offered days, evenings, and Saturdays to accommodate working students. SCC’s Division of Continuing Education also offers free assessment services, academic counseling, and career counseling. For enrollment information and class schedule, visit www.sccollege.edu/oec or call (714) 628-5900 weekdays.

About Santiago Canyon College
Santiago Canyon College (SCC) serves more than 14,000 credit and non-credit students each semester. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and careers, and provides courses for personal and professional development, as well as customized training for business and industry. The college is recognized for its adult education program which keeps the working adult—and senior—in mind by offering flexible schedules, and community locations. Serving the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin, and Villa Park, SCC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. Visit http://www.sccollege.edu to learn more.