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Division of Workforce Training
The division of Workforce Training provides fast-track/short-term not for credit training programs at each of the Walters State campus locations. These training programs teach specific skills that individuals need to upgrade for their existing job, or to learn new skills to find a better job. The division coordinates and administers not for credit and non-degree continuing education and vocational courses.
The programs offered are consistent with the mission of Walters State Community College and are designed to meet the needs of individuals, industry, and the business community. Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) and certificates of achievement are used as a means of recognizing and recording the efforts of individuals who enroll and satisfactorily complete the college’s Workforce Training program. CEU’s transfer no credit to degree programs and are separate and distinct from the college’s credit program, which leads to the associate degree programs. CEU’s provide a permanent record of a student’s participation in workforce training programs/activities. On request, a transcript can be provided. For some programs that have industry-recognized credentials, PLA (prior learning assessment) credit may be submitted for approval to the Executive Director of Workforce Training (such as OSHA 30).
The Continuing Education Unit is generally defined as follows: 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education activity under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction. Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) will be computed based on one CEU for each 10 hours of contact. Units will be recorded to one decimal point. A student enrolled in a non-degree activity that meets for a total of 12 hours would earn 1.2 CEU’s.
The value of the CEU is recognized nationally by most organizations. However, many boards, organizations, and groups require different designations and requirements. We strive to understand and accommodate those requirements when they occur.
The objective is to meet and exceed the needs and interests of the communities served by Walters State Community College and we offer a diverse selection of course subjects.
Apprenticeships
Workforce Training has coordinated apprenticeship programs with the Tennessee Department of Labor. An apprenticeship is a job that comes with substantial training and the development of transferable skills beneficial to both the employer and the employee. These programs offer businesses the opportunity to strengthen and build their workforce, providing a tailored high-quality talent pipeline, and they provide workers with advanced skill sets that meet the specific needs of employers. If you are an employer interested in learning how college-sponsored apprenticeships may benefit your workforce needs or a student who may be interested in one of the occupations below, contact WSCCWFT@ws.edu or call 423-798-7988. Apprenticeships offered include:
- Certified Nursing Aide
- Commercial Driver License (CDL) – Class A & B
- Cook (Hotel/Motel) Restaurant (Back End)
- Hotel Associate - Front Desk
- Housekeeper Apprenticeship
- Industrial Production Supervisor
- Industrial Production Technician
- Manager Food Service
- Maintenance Technician
- Mechanical Maintenance & Maintenance Municipal
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Coding
- Supply Chain Manager
Allied Health Training Programs
Allied Health Training Programs are offered to individuals interested in pursuing health care training in Walters State Community College’s ten-county region. The college works in collaboration with area doctors, hospitals, EMS agencies and other health care providers to offer allied health programs that can provide a career path in the medical field. Included in allied health training programs are: Certified Nurse Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician, Registered Dental Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant, Medication Aide-certified, Direct Support Professional, and AHA certifications, including the BLS for Healthcare Provider and Heartsaver® Bloodborne Pathogens. In addition, multiple online healthcare training programs are available. Some healthcare apprenticeship programs are available for entities wishing to upgrade staffing skills. Allied health training programs are designed to refresh, upgrade existing skills, teach new skills and disseminate up-to-date information on current topics and treatments.
Business and Industry Programs
Within Workforce Training, customized programs and/or programs designed to meet the needs of industry related training required for certifications are offered. For example, P.O.S.T approved police in-service programs are offered to meet annual training needs in conjunction with the East Tennessee Regional Law Enforcement Academy. In addition, safety programs such as OSHA 10-hour/30-hour, confined space, trenching, and competent persons with industry related credentials are offered.
Some of our most popular courses include Microsoft Office programs with multiple levels in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Teams & Outlook. Laptops can be provided to our customers for onsite training. In addition to training programs for popular accounting software packages such as Quickbooks, our staff members can provide on-site consulting in computer or accounting issues.
Many other career and professional development options are provided, such as SHRM Certified Professional (CP) and Senior Certified Professional (SCP), Customer Service, and Leadership Skills (Certified Professional Supervisor or VITAL Learning Series).
Within our technical education offerings, we can provide Welding Certification (AWS) and Robotics certifications (FANUC). Many maintenance-related support offerings are more customized for the industry. In addition, we offer Electrical and PLC Troubleshooting programs and other maintenance and industry training. These programs can also be offered at convenient times and locations including onsite or campus sites.
Customized Corporate Training Programs
Reflective of a strong commitment to serve the needs of East Tennessee business and industry with relevant training on state-of-the art equipment, technical assistance, and highly qualified employees, Walters State offers customized corporate training programs. The mission is to identify and satisfy unique business and industry needs. A rapid response team is available to analyze needs and provide training to close the skill gap(s) identified.
By contracting with companies at convenient times and locations, the division of Workforce Training can provide customized training packages for traditional classroom, on-site facilitation, or online delivery. Industrial training packages are offered in technical certifications, supervisory and leadership training, lean manufacturing, computer applications, mechanical engineering technologies, drafting and design, and other topics. Consulting and training are available to small-business constituents in areas such as start-up, web development marketing, managing employees, legal issues, and valuing a business. On-site consulting is provided on issues of software installation, network troubleshooting, database development, programming, software application assistance and others.
Youth Programs
Serving students from the surrounding ten-county area, Workforce Training youth programs are committed to providing quality educational opportunities to people of all ages. Our youth programs are designed to offer young people a variety of classes to teach skill development, college preparation, and other special interest areas.
Programs are offered at a variety of dates and times to audiences from 8-years-old to high school students. The major focus of our youth development programs is Talented and Gifted and Kids College – a series of hands-on, discovery-based educational classes offered during the winter and summer months.
There are many more youth program offerings throughout the year, including Underwater Robotics, HAMtastic Radio Technology, and Alive at 25. Updated youth program activities may be viewed at https://ws.edu/youthprograms.
Online Programs
Workforce Training offers hundreds of online non-credit Personal Development and Career Training classes. These courses are available 24/7–anytime and anywhere. The online courses may be instructor-led or self-paced, using your home computer or use a computer in your local library. There are classes to help you find a new career, be better at the job you have, and even fun classes to help you enjoy new adventures. Personal Development classes are available at https://www.ed2go.com/ced/. Career Training classes are available at https://careertraining.ws.edu/.
Other Programs
Workforce training offers many diverse programs including: Motorcycle Rider Education, Beginning Driver’s Education, Permit to Carry a Firearm, Auctioneering, and many more.
View all of our available and upcoming Workforce Training classes.
Non-Credit Certificate Programs
The division of workforce training offers non-credit certificate programs for students to prepare for careers in less than six months in the areas of Professional Administrative Assistant, Accounting Clerk, Drafting Specialist, Human Resource Specialist, Networking Technician, Medical Office Technician, Residential Electricity Technician, Certified Nurse Aide Training (C.N.A.), Construction Technology, Bookkeeping Technology, CNC/Setup Operator, Registered Dental Assistant, Banking Clerk, Industrial Maintenance.
Approvable programs are designed to meet the requirements for a WIA and TRA/TAA participant. For more information, call 423-585-2675.
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