New skills for the spring

Published 6:19 pm Thursday, December 17, 2009

Registration for spring semester 2010 continues. In addition to the traditional credit courses, a number of noncredit community-service courses are available through the Division of Workforce Development.

What better way to beat the post-holiday doldrums than to sign up for a class for pure personal enrichment. Following are noncredit courses scheduled for spring 2010 at three locations:

Franklin: Regional Workforce Development Center

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4Arts of Hapkido and Kumdo — This course features Hapkido, a traditional Korean mixed martial art, which combines all of the strikes used in karate, tae kwon do and kickboxing, with the submission techniques found in jujitsu and aikido — and kumdo, the Korean art of sword. This special class will be offered from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on Tuesdays three different times: Jan. 1-Feb. 9, Feb. 16-March 23, and March 30-May 4. The cost for each class is $45.

Excel for Beginners — Designed for beginners and senior citizens, this “slow and easy” introduction to Microsoft Excel is hands-on. Participants learn the basics of using spreadsheets. (Pre-Requisite: Computers for Absolute Beginners). Classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday, March 2 and 4, from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $25.

Dog Obedience — This course teaches dogs and their owners the basics of obedience (heel, sit, down, come, stay, and off). In addition, owners will learn better communication with their pets for a happier,

healthier relationship. Dog requirements: six-foot leash, training collar (type to be determined)

and proof of rabies shot. Classes meet on Thursdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m., April 1 through April 29. The cost is $50.

Hobbs Suffolk Campus

Computers for Absolute Beginners — Designed for beginners and senior citizens, this “slow and easy” introduction to computers is hands-on. Participants learn the basics of word processing, email, and Internet for personal use. Classes meet on Thursdays, Jan. 21-Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Suffolk Workforce Center (157 North Main St.). The cost for each class is $50.

Smithfield Campus

Digital Camera Basics — This beginning course explores digital photography basics, including different shooting modes, using the flash effectively and other camera basics. Participants are required to bring their own digital cameras. This class is offered two times at the College’s Smithfield Center: Wednesdays, Jan. 20 and 27, and Tuesdays, Feb. 8 and 15, 6 to 8:30 p.m. The cost for each course is $45.

For more details on courses offered through the Division of Workforce Development, call 569-6750 or visit www.pdc.edu.