NORWICH – High unemployment means that continuing education classes are in high demand. So high in fact that DCMO BOCES will soon be opening a satellite campus at the Eaton Center in order to expand their offerings to include a greater number of educational opportunities for those looking to sharpen their job skills or explore other career options,
According to Pauline Stamp, Coordinator of Adult Education Programs at DCMO BOCES, The need for these types of program has increased substantially since the district expanded the Chenango Campus. As a result, there are waiting lists for the business courses they currently offer at the North Norwich location, as well as for both the Licensed Practical Nurse and Certified Nursing Assistant programs.
In addition, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Labor and CDO Workforce are constantly referring clients to the program.
“To be able to offer the programs they are looking for, we need the additional space,” Stamp said.
The first floor wing at the Eaton Center which BOCES has leased is currently being renovated to accommodate their needs. Once complete, the 6,500 square foot space will include a financial aid/reception office and 5 classrooms arranged around a central hallway. Each of the classrooms, Stamp said, will be adequately sized to accommodate up to 25 students.
Two of the rooms will be a dedicated classroom and lab for the LPN and CNA programs, similar to the one at the Chenango Campus. There will also be a dedicated class for the Leading EDGE program. The two remaining rooms will be revolving classrooms.
‘They will all be furnished with computers and smartboards,” Stamp said, explaining that much of the equipment is coming from the DCMO BOCES component districts as they upgrade.
Courses that will be offered in the winter 2010 semester will include existing offerings such as Leading EDGE, CNA, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and infection control training. In addition, new health field certification programs will be offered for EKG, pharmacy and surgical technicians as well as a new physical therapy aide program and medical transcription. A Microsoft Office specialist training course and GED fast track program will also be offered at the Eaton Center location, Stamp reported.
Over the next one to three years, she said, they will also be adding additional programs of study in the medical and health care fields. Included in these expanded offerings will be certification programs for phlebotomy and dialysis technicians as well as dental assisting and patient care programs.
Stamp and her staff are excited about the new location. One of the reasons the Eaton Center location was chosen, Stamp said, was because it was located on an existing bus route.
“Most of our clients don’t have transportation,” she explained.
The adult education coordinator had nothing but praise for the Eaton Center’s help throughout the process.
“We’ve done everything in our power to accommodate them and get them here,” said the complex’ property manager, John Nelsen. That includes footing the bill for the renovations needed to prepare the space for their newest tenant.
Nelsen and his staff have done some of the renovation and construction work themselves, but he has also brought in local tradesmen to do some of the work.
Other accommodations were necessary, as well. At The Eaton Center’s request, one of the building’s existing tenants, At Home Care, relocated to another space within the facility earlier this week. The space they previously occupied are being converted for the LPN/CNA classroom and lab.
According to Stamp, classes will begin at The Eaton Center by Feb.1. An open house, which will allow community members and prospective students an opportunity to tour the newly renovated space, has been tentatively scheduled for March 25.
For more information or to register for adult and continuing education courses, contact DCMO BOCES at 335-1210 or visit www.dcmoboces.com.