May 28, 2009... Americans are turning to continuing education and lifelong learning classes to deal with tough times, according to surveys of programs around the country by the Learning Resources Network (LERN), a national association in lifelong learning. “Over the last six months our industry has turned almost completely around and re-oriented classes and courses to respond to the needs of the public during the recession,” notes William A. Draves, LERN president.

Whether it is professional or work-related learning, or avocational and leisure learning, the main theme is addressing the tough economic times.

With avocational learning, Americans are taking more courses around the concept of frugality. Popular courses include home repair, cooking, gardening and other activities that save money. Landscape design and maintenance courses at Trident Technical College are popular for weekend gardeners and professionals as well as those who want to save money on lawn services for their homes and businesses. TTC offers Baking and Culinary Boot Camp courses in June and July, which teach kitchen novices the foundation of good cooking techniques.

Registrations for summer camps for children and youth remain strong, too. The Kids’ College program at TTC has more than 50 summer camps. Topics include chemistry and science, reading and math, LEGOs, culinary, leadership, PSAT/SAT prep, Web design and more. With work-related learning, work skills, trades and second-income occupations are getting more attention. There are two trends going on right now in the workplace. The first is the need for more skills to compete in a tough marketplace. The second is the need for new skills that respond to the information economy of the new century, skills that will be integral to work long after the recession ends. TTC’s computer technology, construction trades, leadership, industrial maintenance, and manufacturing courses develop and enhance skills for a career.

Certificate programs continue to post strong enrollments because they develop and document sets of work skills for present and future employers. The trend toward more specialized topics, offered in short intensive formats, will continue. TTC’s Division of Continuing Education and Economic Development offers more than 40 certification tracks, including A+ and networking, real estate, insurance, property management, commercial driver’s license, green building, personal fitness trainer, project management and more. Health care certification tracks include emergency medical technician, medical assistant, medical administrative assistant, limited radiographer, medical coding, phlebotomist, medical transcription and certified nurse aide. Certifications are also offered in asbestos abatement, swimming pool/spa operations, water and wastewater treatment and hazwoper/hazmat.

Online course enrollments, which jumped over the past two years, are also expected to remain strong across the country. TTC offers more than 600 online courses in a variety of topics. Online courses are convenient – students can take them when and where they want – and these courses save fuel costs.

While nationwide registrations six months ago were perhaps the worst in 30 years for continuing education and lifelong learning programs, there is growing optimism among programmers that adults are coming back for classes that address the tough economic climate.

For more information on continuing education courses at Trident Technical College, visit www.tridenttech.edu/ce.htm or call 843-574-6022.