Northwest Technical College is offering a new series of seminars to provide community members with practical lifelong learning opportunities.
NTC Provost Charles Giammona said the series goes beyond traditional continuing education programs by being more applied and technical.
"I think we've made an interesting, affordable and relevant set of programs for everyone," he said.
The series began Wednesday night at the college with a two-hour seminar on power tools. Participants had the opportunity to learn what different power tools can do and about tool safety, as well as ask questions about power tools.
The series offers a variety of seminars focusing on child care, high school students and parents, general interest, professional development and technology and computers. Topics range from waiter and waitressing skills to GPS to cultural diversity in children.
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NTC staff members, NTC consultants and members of the local business community are leading the seminars.
"We've done it at little or no cost so it's affordable to everyone," Giammona said.
He said the series gives everyone -- young or old -- a chance to try something they've always wanted to try, improve their skills or learn more about a technical subject that sounds interesting. He noted that the series may also inspire people to enroll in a higher education program.
The college plans to offer the series annually during the winter starting each January.
"As the seminar series grows, so will the topics," Giammona said.
If individuals, businesses or organizations have an interest in a topic that's not included in the series, he said NTC will develop a program on the topic. Businesses interested in seminars can also request that they be presented on site.
"We're customizing our seminar series for our community," Giammona said.
He said NTC doesn't want to compete with existing continuing education programs in the community. Rather, he said NTC recognized special technical areas that, as a technical college, it could bring to the Bemidji region.
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"It's a special addition to lifelong learning for the community," Giammona said.
For more details, a brochure or to register for a seminar, call Sue Ludwig at NTC at 333-6656.
