Corporate and Community Education

In addition to traditional academic offerings, MCC provides a wide variety of workforce and personal development opportunities that serve distinct local needs and interests. A full range of cost-effective, on-site, on-campus and online education and training programs are available to strengthen the local workforce, increase managerial effectiveness, enhance productivity, and contribute to the economic development of the region.

These courses and programs are designed to prepare employees for 21st century technologies and career paths, as well as provide personally enriching learning experiences for students of all ages. Middlesex faculty and staff members work with community and business leaders and advisory boards in developing and implementing:

• Courses, workshops, seminars and customized training for individuals and groups;
   
• Workforce and professional development opportunities with dynamic, flexible services adaptable to the needs of students at all levels and ages;
   
• Innovative programs and courses for children and teenagers;
   
• Intellectually stimulating learning opportunities for senior citizens;
   
• Online courses, using Internet and Web-based software readily available and adaptable to students’ overall education and training plans.

Corporate Education and Training

Middlesex offers customized training and education designed for individual employers, from one- or two-day seminars to credit and noncredit courses. These learning opportunities are held on site at an employer’s facilities or at our Bedford and Lowell campuses on a schedule that accommodates the employer’s needs. Our programs include:

• Business Writing
   
• Career Development
   
• Communication Skills
   
• Computer Literacy, Applications Skills, Programming and Networking
   
• Early Childhood Education
   
• Electro-Mechanical Drafting, including CAD
   
• Electronic Technology
   
• English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Education
   
• Foreign Language Instruction
   
• Health Care Industry Specialties
   
• Individualized/Self-Paced Instruction
   
• Lean Manufacturing
   
• Professional Development Training
   
• Quality Management
   
• Safety Training
   
• Supervisory and Management Training
   
• Train-the-Trainer Workshops

For more information, call 1-888-622-2400.

In October 2000, Middlesex Community College launched the ACT initiative as part of a national network of more than 100 centers that offer self-paced, computer-based courseware to individuals and local businesses, and high-stakes testing for a variety of certifications and licenses. The initiative was led by ACT, an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides assessment, research, information and program-management services in the broad areas of education and workforce development. The ACT Center is located in Woburn at The Career Place, a Massachusetts One-Stop Career Center, which is managed through MCC.

The primary emphasis of the ACT Center @ The Career Place is currently on high-stakes testing in several disciplines, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) exam, Social Worker exams, and certification in Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Each year, nearly 1,000 individuals participate in the center’s high-stakes tests.

The Career Place, including the ACT Center, is located at Trade Center Park, 100 Sylvan Road, Suite G100, Woburn. To learn more, call 781-932-5500 or visit www.careerplacejobs.com/act.

Community Education and Training

MCC offers a variety of noncredit courses, certificates and programs designed to reach the broad cross section of interests, ages and needs of our students. Students taking noncredit courses and certificates include professionals, career changers, middle school students and active older adults.  

Noncredit courses cover a range of topics, including career and professional development, test preparation, computer applications and programming,  information design and delivery, world languages and cultures, healthy living,  writing skills, personal finance, and adventure travel. Classes are scheduled days, evenings and weekends. Online courses are also available.

Noncredit certificates and programs provide intensive professional training in specific career areas.  They include:

• Computer Applications Certificate — designed to provide the most up-to-date basic computer hardware and software skills.  This 40-hour noncredit certificate uses state-of-the-art computers to hone students’ skills in MS Word, Excel and other MS Office applications needed in today’s workplace.
   
• Digital Photography Certificate — digital imaging is the medium most photographers work with today. This noncredit program is designed to meet the needs of anyone interested in photography, portraiture, digital-image editing, or selling photos or services on the Web. 
   
• Interior Design Certificate — through guest speakers, field trips, lectures and projects, students will acquire a foundation for future employment in this growing industry. Topics in this noncredit certificate program include interior design elements, lighting, texture, color, pattern, furniture selection, window coverings, scale and space planning, as well as a history of design, textiles and marketing.
   
• Meeting and Event Management Certificate — organizing meetings, trade shows, conferences or special events for a large corporation requires many special skills and abilities. This noncredit certificate will give students the practical skills and knowledge to successfully plan, organize, manage, promote and evaluate meetings and events.
   
• Project Management Certificate — an exciting, fast-paced noncredit program that provides the skills to get projects completed on time and within budget. Project management principles and concepts are covered, as well as the tools and techniques required for the successful management of complex projects.
   
• Writing Indexes for Books and Websites Online Certificate — this noncredit certificate provides the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career as a professional indexer or to enhance current indexing skills.

MCC’s noncredit courses, certificates and programs are continually developing to meet the needs of students. For more information, call 978-656-3215 or e-mail: career_training@middlesex.mass.edu.

MCC’s Writing Technical Information Certificate provides students with skills and tools to clearly and accurately inform users about technical products.  

In this 125-hour, post-graduate noncredit program, students learn how to conduct audience and task analysis, work with subject-matter experts, understand product documents and the product-development cycle, write clear procedures, review and revise technical information, manage writing projects, and make content usable. Also covered are mark-up languages (such as HTML and XML), tools for authoring printed information and PDFs, and tools for authoring information for electronic distribution.

Through lecture, discussion and application, students will create an online portfolio featuring samples of their work. This program is supported by an advisory board comprised of documentation managers from industry.

The Writing Technical Information Certificate is a career enhancement opportunity for individuals who have well-developed writing skills and want to improve their effectiveness in communicating technical information. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of work experience. For application and schedule information, visit our website: www.middlesex.mass.edu/CareerTraining/Certificates/writingtechinfo.htm

The Middlesex Institute for Lifelong Education for Seniors, or MILES, is a program providing active retired and semi-retired individuals with intellectual stimulation and interaction. MILES offers lifelong learning opportunities for people over the age of 50, who participate in courses that vary and cover a wide range of topics – from tea and tall ships, to Civil War history. Previous courses on mystery writers, classic films, storytelling and opera have delighted our MILES members.  

MILES members are welcome to facilitate new courses to share their professional, educational and personal experiences. For more information on the MILES Program, call 781-280-3570 or e-mail: career_training@middlesex.mass.edu.

MCC Summer Camps provide children, ages 8 to 15, with an exciting range of unique opportunities to explore careers, gain new knowledge, develop new skills and boost self-confidence. Our camps provide young students with a safe and fun place to learn and are held on both MCC campuses – making use of the extensive open space in Bedford, as well as the rich cultural and ethnic resources to be found in Lowell. For more information about MCC Summer Camps, call 978-656-3215 or email: career_training@middlesex.mass.edu.

MCC’s Work Readiness/Retention Programs are funded by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Community Colleges, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance. These programs assist welfare recipients in transitioning to employment. They combine on-the-job training at local companies and agencies with skills training at the college. Intensive counseling and skill-building workshops are provided throughout pre- and post-employment programs. Staff members are also available to assist post-employment recipients transition to additional training or education. For more information, call 978-656-3153.