adult student on computer
Do you desire to further grow your professional skill sets? Have you ever considered pursuing a new hobby or digging deeper into a hobby you already enjoy? Maybe you are considering a career change and would like to obtain a professional certificate. Options for continuing education for adults in Collier County continue to increase with the growth of our town and the demand for further educational opportunities. Add to this the fact that continuing education is vital in most fields and industries, particularly those industries upon which our local economy relies: tourism (food services, hospitality, etc.), healthcare and health services, education, and small business operation.
The path to a new career
Have you ever thought about become a welder, massage therapist or aircraft mechanic? For those considering a new or second career, there are so many burgeoning fields of study – ones that do not necessarily require a full, undergraduate degree. Rather, these fields require completing certificate programs, some of which include internship or apprenticeship requirements.
Alongside such certificate programs are opportunities to gain new skills and learn new hobbies in low-pressure, non-threatening environments from experts within various fields. Typically, teachers have many years of experiences and a desire to share their knowledge and skills with adults in Collier County. Learning about ceramic arts, writing your first novel, using a new device or social media, or how to unlock the mysteries of Microsoft Excel has never been easier!
Non-credit classes
All of the classes and institutions listed below offer adult education classes. The courses are considered non-credit classes, which do not count towards obtaining an undergraduate (or graduate) degree. Rather, they are designed for the purpose of meeting certificate program requirements, or for participants’ own experience and edification.
• CCPS Adult and Community Education. This branch of Collier County Public Schools offers an array of basic courses in various fields of study, such as cooking, business software, languages, exercise and health, and the arts. Learn to draw, play an instrument, or utilize a new piece of technology. The options are wide and varied, and there are several classes offered online as well. For more information or to sign up for a class, visit www.collieradulted.com.
• FGCU – The Renaissance Academy. Florida Gulf Coast University founded The Renaissance Academy, an adult education center, in 2001 with the purpose of promoting lifelong learning, creativity, and social engagement. It provides educational opportunities many locations throughout Southwest Florida, along with various overseas travel opportunities throughout the year. The Renaissance Academy features multi-session courses, day classes, special events, film series, discussions, and lectures. For more information, visit http://www.fgcu.edu/racademy/.
• Frances Pew Hayes Center for Lifelong Learning (Hodges – Naples). Established in 1996, the Center for Lifelong Learning provides quality educational programs to adults in the community at a reasonable cost. From lecture series to book discussions to field trips, the CLL offers ways for adults in the community to engage intellectually and socially. For more information on course offerings, visit http://www.hodges.edu/lifelongLearning.
• Florida Southwestern State – Online Certificate Programs (non-credit). Florida Southwestern State (formerly Edison State College) offers opportunities for non-credit study. These courses are offered to individuals exclusively online. Career training is offered in areas such as health care, hospitality, graphic design, and real estate. For more information, visit https://www.fsw.edu/ce.
• Lorenzo Walker Technical College. Located in central Naples, Lorenzo Walker is a trade school for those looking to become certified in a specific vocation. Programs of study range from computer systems and information technology certification programs to phlebotomy to cosmetology. Program costs vary, and both day and evening classes are offered. For more information, visit http://lwit.edu/.
Continuing education in Collier County is a fantastic way to learn new skills, connect socially with other adults in an educational setting, pursue various areas of study for a new career, or challenge yourself intellectually. Whatever your goals may be, there are lots of great opportunities within Naples to learn and grow.
Anna Futrell has a bachelor’s in English and Secondary Education from Wheaton College. Anna and her husband, Jim have a daughter, Windley. Anna is passionate about writing, cooking, running, playing the piano, and encouraging other new moms in their journey.