Community Education The Community Education division delivers a wide variety of continuing education opportunities Annually we help more than 14,000 people reach their educational goals. We provide essential learning experiences for the employees of over 500 regional companies. As a vital economic development resource for the Greater Lehigh Valley, we are committed to delivering the very best tools for personal, professional and economic growth. Center for Adult Learning The College's Center for Adult Learning offers people of the community a resource for exploring new cultural, educational and social experiences. As a cultural resource, the Center offers courses including dance, museum tours, painting and wine and gourmet food appreciation. For personal life enrichment, we offer a variety of courses on subjects ranging from computers and finance to parenting. The Center for Adult Learning has a long history of catering to the interests of the community and provides many courses that were originally created by people from the community. The Center also serves the the Lehigh Valley with our Mature Adults programs. These specialized programs allow individuals age 55 and older to continue their intellectual, social and emotional development throughout their lifetime. Center for Business & Industry Northampton's Center for Business & Industry (CBI) has been engaged for more than 20 years in helping regional businesses compete and grow. CBI professional development programs and services include organizational consultation, needs assessments, design of training plans, public courses and seminars, customized training programs, and assistance with technology transfer. Electrotechnology Applications Center The Electrotechnology Application Center (ETAC) at CBI helps regional manufacturers evaluate and integrate electrotechnologies that will increase productivity, minimize environmental impact, and improve energy efficiencies. The technologies emphasized at the Center are infrared, ultraviolet, induction, radio frequency, and microwave processing technologies with particular focus on coatings and compliance with the Clean Air Act Amendments. Services offered through ETAC include: Laboratory demonstrations Plant efficiency assessments Technology awareness seminars Hands-on training Application-specific consulting National Training Center for Microelectronics The National Training Center for Microelectronics (NTCµ) is a special division of CBI which provides consulting and training to electronics firms and individuals in the electronics industry. NTCµ focuses on electronic assembly and design in through-hole, surface mount, hybrid, and high density packaging technologies. Technical courses for engineers, technicians, and operators are presented with customized courses and process consulting at clients' sites. Additionally, NTCµ teams with companies on technology implementation and assessment projects, and offers various laboratory and design services. Though NTCµ's primary service area is the Mid-Atlantic region, the Center has provided training and consulting services throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific Rim. Over 300 firms and organizations have accessed consulting and training services since 1986. Art as a Way of Learning™ Art as a Way of Learning™ is a customized, professional development program for K through sixth grade classroom teachers, art specialists, and administrators. This new approach to teacher education provides innovative strategies for integrating the visual arts into standard curriculum. The program includes both a preservice early childhood teacher education curriculum and an inservice education system and has won high praise from educators across the region. The program was developed in partnership with Binney & Smith, Inc. Adult Literacy One of the most challenging problems faced by the community is the number of adults who lack basic skills in reading and mathematics. To assist people in need of this training, the College established its award-winning Adult Literacy department. Delivering classes on our campus, at area community centers and in the workplace, Adult Literacy serves the needs of a wide cross-section of the community. Funded primarily through state and federal grants, our literacy programs cover basic communications and mathematics at all levels. We begin with English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for non-English speaking adults and progress through Adult Basic Education (ABE) to the General Education Diploma (GED). The department's Workforce Literacy program is especially valued by employers and employees. This program offers customized basic skills to meet specific job and company needs improving morale and performance. For additional information on literacy training, please contact the Adult Literacy Department at 610-861-5427. Horizons for Youth and Families Today, busy parents are constantly looking for quality educational and recreational activities for their children. Frequently, both parents work, making it difficult to spend time with children. The College's Horizons for Youth and Families program offers parents and kids a fresh option. NCC youth programs are diverse, original and carefully-designed to provide an enriching and fun experience for your child. All are conducted by qualified instructors from the College and area public schools. Horizons for Youth caters to a variety of age groups; from toddlers through high school. Course content includes everything from creative writing and computers to crafts, sports and fitness. Gifted children can receive the special attention needed to bring out their abilities and creative skills. High school students can take advantage of programs designed to augment their school work and assist with preparation for college and the SAT exam. In addition, we offer classes parents and children can enjoy together during the school year. Programming is scheduled throughout the year during evenings and weekends. During the summer months, Horizons for Youth provides an exciting alternative to ordinary summer camps with one- and two-week morning courses which can be combined with day camp to provide full-day programming.