Durham Tech Back-to-Work Initiative logo

Contact

Micara Sessoms
Assistant Dean
White (Building 1), room 133A
919-536-7200, ext. 4406
Information Request Form

Durham Tech Back-to-Work Initiative

Short Term

Durham Tech is our community’s safety net during this time of unprecedented unemployment. We provide the training you need now for employment and economic upward mobility.

The Initiative: Durham Tech will provide training and support with short-term courses that provide our community with skillsets needed for jobs and later offer opportunities to Durham Tech’s guided pathways when those students return for later training.

How we’re helping: Durham Tech is offering a number of high-impact courses to help students get opportunities for immediate employment in growing industries. Courses listed below are short term with less than a year of classroom time to help students get back to work quickly. Offerings focus on high-demand occupations including health care, biotechnology, skilled trades, information technology, and more. Additional courses will continue to be added.


Funding options

View the Continuing Education Financial Aid options and check the course links since they may be supported by scholarships. 
 

Current Courses

Biotechnology

Durham County has over 20 major biomanufacturing and pharmaceutical company and 35 biosciences related industries. The following course provide foundational skills they need to begin a career as a process technician for a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing company. Some courses have prerequisites. View course schedules and how to apply.

Building and Skilled Trades

These courses provide training for entry-level positions in building construction and specialty courses help students learn and build upon specific skills needed to be more marketable in the building trades industry. View course schedules and how to apply.

Business and Entrepreneurship

Business and entrepreneurship courses are designed to provide students with the knowledge and the skills necessary for employment and growth as self-employed business owners. The coursework includes developing a student’s ability to make informed decisions as future business owners. Courses include entrepreneurial concepts learned through innovation and creativity, business funding, and marketing. 

Culinary Arts

Culinary Arts Career Training program trains students about the different types of foodservice, sanitation, basic skills, menu planning, food preparation, job survival skills, and career exploration. Please note additional uniform and textbook requirements. View program schedule, uniform requirements, textbooks, and how to apply.

Early Childhood Education

EDU-119 Introduction to Early Childhood Education introduces the foundations of early childhood education, the diverse educational settings for young children, professionalism and planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences for each child. Topics include theoretical foundations, national early learning standards, NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, state regulations, program types, career options, professionalism, ethical conduct, quality inclusive environments, and curriculum responsive to the needs of each child/family. Upon completion, students should be able to design a career/professional development plan, appropriate environments, schedules, and activity plans. View more information and schedule.

EDU-119 is a credit course which requires enrolling at the College prior to course registration. Course credits can be applied to certificate and degree options if you wish to pursue those in the future. View enrollment steps and registration deadlines.

Human Resources

Human Resources courses prepare students for leadership roles in Human Resources departments that manage the personnel of a small business, corporation, or organization.

Human Resources Development (HRD)

Courses are offered in short sessions to equip students with the knowledge, values, and practical employability skills training and career exploration. View course descriptions and schedules.

Fees for HRD courses (Resumes that Work!, Going Places Network, and Human Service Exploration) are waived for those who meet one of these criteria:

To register for HRD courses, complete the Registration/HRD Fee Waiver Verification Form.

Peer Support Specialist

The Peer Support Specialist course provides the information and resources necessary for individuals to work as a Peer Support Specialist in the state of North Carolina. Peer Support Specialists are professionals that have first-hand experience recovering from a mental health concern, substance use, or traumatic brain injury and due to gained wisdom and passion for humanity these professionals are reaching out to others that need help through their recovery journey and healing process. Peer Support Specialists are certified to work in Veteran Affairs Offices, all levels of care within substance use facilities, in jails, inpatient mental health hospitals, emergency departments, community agencies, homeless shelters, group homes, churches, YMCA, vocational rehabilitation, peer support programs, and facilitate support groups.

Proof of high school diploma or high school equivalency completion of the Verification Form are required prior to registration. View more information and schedule.

Information Technology

Courses range from computer and internet basics; software and web development; and cybersecurity, network,  support, and computer repair. Select the course or program to view schedules and how to apply.

Credit courses

Student must enroll in the IT Computer Repair Certificate or the IT Cybersecurity CCNA Certificate to be eligible for these courses: CTI 110, CTI 120, CTS 120, CTS 220, NET 125, NET 126, NET 225, SEC 160

Non-credit (Continuing Education) courses
Medical Coding

ICD-10CM is used in US health care settings and the following courses teach the skills and concepts necessary for entry-level coding positions in a variety of health care facilities. Learn more about the program and courses.

  • Medical Terminology for Anatomy and Physiology
  • Medical Coding I
  • Medical Coding II
  • Medical Coding Exam Prep Bootcamp
Real Estate

The online class prepares students to become a fully licensed real estate broker in North Carolina. 

Social Media Marketing

SEF-SMMG Social Media Marketing prepares students to develop effective online marketing through sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. The course meets online at specific times and is taught by an experienced marketing professional using video conferencing and interactive projects.

View computer requirements, schedule, and how to apply.

Small Business Seminars

The Small Business Center offers free seminars on diverse topics for entrepreneurs interested in starting and running a small business.

Successful Project Management

Learn how to master the strict planning, tracking, monitoring, and control techniques needed to bring projects in on schedule and under budget.

Questions and Information: If you have a question or are looking for information about future courses, please complete the Information Request form.