Workforce & Economic Development

NWACC’s Workforce and Economic Development (WED) provides innovative educational solutions for industry training and personal and professional enrichment. Our strategic training enables community members and organizations to adapt to a rapidly changing global business environment. In addition, WED offers hands-on training and experience-based learning in the skilled-trades to accommodate the rise in demand for skilled workers.

Workforce and Economic Development works with individuals, teams, and organizations to provide strategic training and a competitive, workforce-ready advantage through the upskilling of every level of worker. The types of training that Workforce and Economic Development offers are as diverse as the industry needs represented in NWA today, and our primary goal is to empower the greatest number of people to achieve maximum talent development for the betterment of themselves, their families, and their communities. In Workforce and Economic Development, we catalyze a future-ready workforce.

Industry Solutions Developing Talent On Demand

Strategic Vision

Top-performing organizations have one critical thing in common: motivated individuals who are connected to a clear strategic vision and prepared to achieve. From entry level to highly proficient, WED can create this powerful dynamic in your organization. We can help you clarify strategy, identify gaps in the current skills, attitudes, and behaviors of your employees, and provide the consulting and training that closes these gaps.

Data Driven Needs Assessment

For organizations, WED uses a variety of validated surveys and questionnaires to assess current and desired skill levels providing a baseline of current performance and a benchmark for future attainment. WED is committed to understanding and maintaining knowledge of industry trends and requirements present and future, tailoring available training to comply with industry standards.

Targeted Results

WED helps organizations develop measurable objectives for each learning program - providing a means to measure the effectiveness of the training. Depending on the nature of the learning program, these results might include reduced turnover, higher levels of customer service, improved performance and productivity, improved error rates, time to competency, improved satisfaction with team culture, or other measures.

National Training and Partnerships

WED also provides training on a national scale through our Institute for Corporate and Public Safety, which is funded in part by the Department of Homeland Security, as well as national and international customized training through our affiliation with the Global Corporate College. Likewise, WED hosts Retail & Supplier Education programming that produces Certified Retail Analysts as well as multiple pathways into the global vendor and supplier communities.

Our partnerships include world leaders that help organizations translate business strategies into business results by developing the skills and performance of their people.

Flexible Programs

WED has a variety of course delivery options for client organizations: instructor-led onsite training at the Shewmaker Center for Workforce Technologies on the Bentonville campus, at the employer’s location, or at other offsite locations, as well as web-based multimedia training, webinars, and blended learning approaches.

Professional Development Solutions

Customized Learning Solutions for Professional and Personal

WED offers courses and programs for every type of worker, from entry-level to executive leadership that allow individuals to build and improve trade skills while maximizing career opportunities and income. Skills may include improved customer service, time management, productivity and preparation for in-demand jobs.

Accessible Courses

Individuals can take WED courses onsite at the Bentonville campus and online. Online courses may include multimedia training, webinars, and blended learning approaches.

WED courses are accelerated skills training (non-credit) and do not require college admission for individuals. Our accelerated classes begin throughout the year and last from a few hours to several months in length.

Registration is continuous, and new course offerings are added frequently.

Feel free to view our schedule of classes online at NWACC Workforce and Economics Development.

Workforce Development Training

NWACC’s workforce development training mission is broad, addressing all stages in a worker’s career. Classes and programs are designed to meet the training needs of the emerging workforce; incumbent workers; transitional workers; and entrepreneurs. Workforce-related career credit classes award CEUs (Continuing Education Units), a nationally recognized measure of competency.

Workforce development training encompasses the following:

Workforce Certificates: Geared toward the emerging or transitional worker, these programs offer training for those occupations which require a set of specialized industry-recognized skills, but not a higher education degree. Associate of Applied Science degree: Credit program that is awarded for the completion of the Construction Technology program. For more information, contact (479) 936-5175.

Professional Development Classes

These classes cater to individuals seeking to obtain or improve skills in a specific subject area or to complete profession-related CEU requirements. For more information, contact (479) 936-5175.

Retail & Supplier Education Programs

Our unique programs meet the area’s growing need for retail industry professionals to manage the needs of Walmart and the NWA supplier community. These programs include the following:

Certified Retail Analyst Program (CRA) a competency-based program that helps individuals with limited or no analytical experience gain the skills necessary to enter and/or advance within the retail industry. Our program focuses on the development or strengthening of 4 key competencies: critical thinking, strategic thinking, collaborative skills, and technical skills. Our program utilizes data from various sources including Kellogg’s, Nielsen and Walmart, which enables the students to “layer data” from multiple sources, analyze and then create actionable insights and recommendations. Students learn how to apply the 4 CRA competencies to improve their analytical skillsets, insights and storytelling.

For more information, contact retail@nwacc.edu or call 479-619-4116 (see Workforce Certificate Programs section, which follows).

Space Planning/Self-Management Training provides training solutions for existing retail professionals and enables them to utilize Blue Yonder ProSpace software to draw modulars and analyze planograms to keep pace with the rapidly changing retail industry.

Workforce & Economic Development Policies & Procedures

Registration & Payment Policies And Procedures

The registration process for Workforce classes are all through online enrollment through the Workforce program website pages. Individuals may pay for tuition and fees in full, sign up for a TouchNet Student Payment Plan online, or provide Employer information for invoicing at the time of registration.

Registration FAQs

Registration is not allowed by mail or phone, registrations processed online with registration links located on each Workforce program website page. For questions on registration processes, please contact us at (479) 936-5175.

Online Registration: For business and professional development classes, visit NWACC Workforce and Economic Development, click on “Training Courses,” select a training category, then follow the prompts to register and pay online.

Retail & Supplier Education Registration Policies and Procedures

Individuals interested in registering for these programs should email retail@nwacc.edu to sign up for an advising session, or call (479) 619-4116 to make sure they have met their prerequisites and submitted the required documents prior to registration. Advising sessions are conducted in person or virtually at the student’s convenience.

Drop/withdrawal

Personal/Professional Development Drop/Withdraw/Transfer Policy

Personal/Professional Development students may drop a class no later than three (3) business days prior to the first class meeting.

Personal/Professional Development students are eligible for withdraw if less than sixty percent (60%) of the contact hours have been completed. No refund will be given.

Personal/Professional Development class transfer requests are accepted no later than 3 business days prior to the first class meeting.

Email requests to workforceadmissions@nwacc.edu for Personal/Professional Development classes. Students should contact the Personal/Professional Development Coordinator for more information.

Refer to Class Drop/Withdraw/Transfer (Non-Credit) Policy (10003) for the most recent procedures

Retail & Supplier Education Drop/Withdrawal Policy

Retail & Supplier Education students may drop a class in accordance with the published withdrawal dates on the academic calendar. Retail & Supplier Education may withdraw from the Retail Analyst Program classes and receive a “W” on transcript based upon the last date to withdraw as designated in the academic calendar.

It is the student’s responsibility to complete and submit appropriate program Drop/Withdraw/Transfer Forms within the specified class refund periods.

For Retail & Supplier Education classes, email workforceadmissions@nwacc.edu and complete a drop form.

Refer to Class Drop/Withdraw/Transfer (Non-Credit) Policy (10003) for the most recent procedures.

Transfers and Substitutions

Transfers are made based on seat availability. Companies sending employees to a class will have the option to register a substitute and have a previously registered employee removed from the class roster before the class meets for the first time. Request may be made by emailing workforceadmissions@nwacc.edu.

Grading Policy

For institutional policy, refer to NWACC Grading (Non-Credit) Policy (10005).

Continuing Education Grading Policy

Individuals will receive an “S” (Satisfactory) or “U” (Unsatisfactory) grade in each course. An unsatisfactory grade results in no Continuing Education Units being awarded. Individuals who are working toward a career certificate must earn an “S” in all required or elective courses to achieve certificate completion.

Students will receive a “U” for any courses in which they fail to attend and/or do not adhere to the Class Drop/Add/Withdrawal Policy (Non-Credit).

Retail & Supplier Education Grading Policy

Individuals enrolled in the Certified Retail Analyst Program will receive a grade of A, B, C, D, or F, based on a 10-point grading scale, where 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, and 59 and below = F. A grade of “C” or better for all classes is required for successful course completion. Students are graded based upon course work, exams, projects, participation, and attendance. Students must also receive a satisfactory grade of “C” or better in the Retail Analytical Techniques class in order to receive certification as a Retail Analyst.

Students will receive a “U” for any courses in which they fail to attend and/or do not adhere to the Class Drop/Add/Withdrawal Policy (Non-Credit).

Students Stopping Out/Late Enrollments

In some programs, students are allowed to enroll late or stop out for a period of time. Students not completing all assignments or hours required for progression to the next class or certification will be awarded a grade at the end of the term indicating that the student is making satisfactory progress but has not met all course requirements for completion. Grade notes will indicate assignments/hours completed. Students may re-enroll in the course in a subsequent term to complete the required assignments or hours needed.

Workforce & Economic Development Programs

General Technology

A.A.S. Degree Length: 60 Credit Hours

Degree Description: The Associates of Applied Science in General Technology Degree Plan enables students to design an individualized program of study to fulfill workforce training goals that cannot be met through the completion of any single degree program presently offered at the college. With the approval of a workforce advisor, the student will select from multiple technical disciplines and develop a program containing a major technical focus and related technical support courses, to include possible PLE credit gained from prior completion of industry recognized credentials and/or experience.

Associate of Applied Science

General Technology, A.A.S. - Degree Plan 

CR - 01 Fanuc Certified Robot Operator

Curriculum Description: The course covers the tasks that an operator, technician, engineer or programmer needs to setup, record, and/or troubleshoot programs on a FANUC Robot using HandlingTool software.

Students successfully completing the course will be able to:

• Power up and jog the robot
• Teach Frames
• Recover from common program and robot faults
• Execute production operations
• Create, modify and execute a material handling program
• Create and execute MACROs
• Monitor, force and simulate input and output signals
• Backup and restore individual programs and files

Recommended safety procedures are integrated into all training exercises. The course consists of lectures, chapter reviews, demonstrations, and a series of lab exercises designed to reinforce what the student has learned. Completion of the course and achievement of a passing score on the post-test will result in the FCR-01 FANUC Certified Robot Operator certificate.

Prerequisites: GED or High School diploma; students currently enrolled in high school may enroll in the course but certificate will not be issued until successful completion of HS diploma or GED.

Email wedforms@nwacc.edu, or call 479-619-5107 for more information.

Certified Retail Analyst (CRA) Certificate

Program Length: 360 contact hours

Prerequisites: There are two sets of prerequisites that must be satisfied for admittance into the CRA program:

• Incoming students must submit a copy of an accredited college transcript showing a passing grade in College Algebra and English Composition I or have a passing grade on the placement test. For more information, email retail@nwacc.edu or call 479-619-4116
• Incoming students must complete or show proof of completion of CRA Intro to MS Office and Advanced Excel & Database Management prior to being admitted into the core program.

Note: In lieu of the MS Office prerequisite, an incoming student may choose to show successful completion of CISQ 1103 or MS Certiport within the last 3 years OR incoming students with an advanced degree and practical MS Office experience (college projects, internships, work) may be eligible to apply Life Learning Experiences in lieu of the MS Office prerequisite.

In lieu of the Database Management prerequisite, an incoming student with an advanced degree and practical Database Management experience (college projects, internships, work) may be eligible to apply Life Learning Experiences in lieu of the Database Management prerequisite.

Curriculum Description: Combine advanced computer skills with an understanding of today’s retail analytical business strategies. This competency-based program teaches the fundamentals of retail analysis that lead to sales and market-share growth. It focuses on the development of skillsets such as technical, communication, problem solving, as well as critical and strategic thought processes to ensure student success in career endeavors. Well recognized, respected and supported in the Walmart supplier community. Local industry experts, emphasizing practical business application of day in the life analytical applications to ensure students gain the skills needed to gain employment and succeed.

Required Documents:

• College Transcript (grade of “C” or better) for College Algebra/Quantitative Reasoning and English Composition I (or higher level English or Math), or
• Accuplacer Exam with the following scores:
  • College Algebra score of 250+
  • English Composition I score of 260+

Required Courses:

• Retail Industry Foundations - 45 hrs.
• Retail Link Data Management - 45 hrs.
• Retail Supply Chain & Replenishment - 45 hrs.
• Retail Strategic Analysis - 45 hrs.
• Retail Tools Integration - 45 hrs.
• Retail Analytical Techniques - 45 hrs.

For more information, please refer to Workforce and Economic Development Certified Retail Analyst Program.

Space Learning Program Summary

The Space Planning/Shelf Management (formerly known as ProSpace) program teaches students with a background in retail how to use Blue Yonder’s (previously known as JDA) ProSpace software.

The program consists of two classes that meet for 13 weeks:

• Intro Shelf Management/Plan-ProSpace (8 wks.) - 24 hrs.
• Adv. Shelf Management/Plan-ProSpace (5 wks.) - 15 hrs.

Students in the introductory course will learn the functionality of the software, and gain hands-on experience building planograms, also known as modulars.

Students in the advanced course will learn how to use ProSpace analytics to improve sales and profitability, and to identify the right product mix and positioning for store fixtures. NWACC utilizes the latest version of proprietary (ProSpace) software. Students will access this software through a virtual desktop.

Prerequisites: Students must have retail experience, supplier/3rd party experience or be a CRA graduate.

NWACC/BIT Partnership

NWACC and Business and Industry Training (BIT) have a partnership to provide instruction leading to the Associate of General Technology Degree for students interested in career and technical fields. BIT will provide the career and technical component of the degree up to 50% of the credits needed to complete a General Technology Degree, from potential courses such as: Electrical Systems, Motor Controls, PLC’s, Thermal Process Controls, Mechanical Drives, CNC, Robotics, Pneumatics, Hydraulics, Safety Training such as CPR/First Aid, ARC Flash, Confined Space, OSHA 10 & 30, etc. NWACC will provide the general education courses and career and technical electives to make up the remaining 50% of the degree. Thirty (30) of the sixty (60) curriculum hours can be career and technical classes provided by BIT that are awarded prior learning credit upon successful completion of the courses. These 30 hours from BIT will only be awarded with evidence of successful completion and a letter requesting prior learning credit from the Dean of Workforce.

Courses that are currently listed in NWACC’s MOU with BIT are:

Students taking specified course work through Business and Industry Training can request prior learning credit from the Dean of Workforce toward the Associate of Applied Science in General Technology. Per policy, NWACC will only accept 30 hours of prior learning toward and associate degree which requires 60 hours. Only fifty percent (50%) of certificate requirements can be from prior learning.
Note:

1. Students must complete 15 credit hours of coursework at NWACC to earn an associate degree and 25% of the credit hours required for a certificate program.
2. NWACC will award prior learning credit using the state’s PLC formula from policy 3016 for Business and Industry Training courses upon successful completion of the following courses toward the AAS in Gen Tech, provided students have successfully completed all of the quizzes, tests, and performance profiles and can show evidence of completion in the form of grades, hours, and/or certificates.

Electronics Technology

The Electronics Technology Degree Program is intended for students currently employed in or re-entering the electronics field. The courses, offered in partnership with Northwest Technical Institute (NTI), allow students to upgrade their technical skills or to acquire the additional general education necessary to advance into supervision or management.

The electronics industry is characterized by rapid technological advances and has grown faster than most other industries over the past 30 years. Much of the continuing growth in this industry is expected to be among the professional specialty occupations.

Electronic semiconductor processors and electrical and electronic assemblers will also grow faster than the industry average. Highly skilled technical personnel should be able to take advantage of the increasingly sophisticated level of manufacturing technology as industries become more integrated and manufacturing processes more advanced. Employment of electronics production workers and managers is expected to grow more slowly than average.
In general, earnings in the electronics industry are high, although this is partly because many of the lower wage production jobs have been automated or exported to other countries. Average weekly earnings of all production and nonsupervisory workers in the industry were higher than the weekly average for all industries.

Students interested in the electronics technology field need to have an aptitude for math and science and the ability to keep up with rapidly changing technology. A culminating internship in the program allows students to apply the technical knowledge they have learned in classes and labs to specific positions in area industries. Graduates of the program will receive an A.A.S. degree in Electronics Technology.

NOTE: Not all courses are available each semester; check course descriptions for prerequisite requirements.

** Designates NTI course work. NTI courses must not be 30 or more credit hours for the entire degree. Total Hours 60-61

Programs

Associate of Applied Science

• Electronics Technology, A.A.S. - Degree Plan  

Certificate of Proficiency

• Electronics Technology Certificate of Proficiency - Degree Plan  

Project Management Professional (Pmp®) Certification Exam Prep (36 Hours)

Curriculum Description: This program is designed for project managers, team leaders and executives who want to advance their career as project management professionals. This course covers the updated Project Management Body of Knowledge v7 (PMBOK Guide 10th Edition), the 2022 materials and prepares you for the PMP Certification Exam.

Topics covered include:

• Project characteristics
• Organizational structures and the project manager’s role
• Key project management skills
• Project management knowledge areas and process groups
• Project phases and life cycles

Students will learn about the project charter, scope statement, project management plan, and project schedules. Additionally, they will understand the methods for estimating activity durations, project costs, and potential project risks. Team development and contract management techniques are also covered in detail. The courses are taught by seasoned project management professionals who have a wealth of experience to share about the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and the application of that knowledge in various work settings. Who Should Enroll? Students who desire to take the PMP Exam and receive their certification.
Textbook and materials included in tuition and available first night of class. Certification exam costs are not included and are available through the Project Management Institute.

We also offer online Professional Development Unit (PDU) approved courses to help you maintain certification. Contact us at wedforms@nwacc.edu for more information.

Fundamentals of Lean

Program Length: 40 hours

This program meets for five days; each session day is 8 hours. Students will learn the tools of Lean Thinking and process improvement. They will understand how to collect data, how to brainstorm, and how to find solutions to problematic processes. They will understand how Lean Thinking is applied to manufacturing as well as office processes.

Online Service Industries Lean Green Belt

The goal of the Online Lean Green Belt Course is to enable company owners and leadership of all levels to lead a successful Lean Transformation.

The course is designed to walk students through the Lean Tools, with an understanding of why they are important, what their role is to support them, and how to effect positive culture change.

The Zoom format course is 16 sessions of 60-90 minutes each. There will be homework after each session to be done off-line at the home site. A test will be given after the final session.

Warehouse Industries Lean Green Belt

Program Length: 8 hours

This program meets for one day. There are no course prerequisites. This workshop is designed for up to 15 people.
Participants will learn the basic definitions of terms used in Lean Manufacturing, as well as 5S, Visual Controls, Facility Layout, Teams, Batch Size Reduction, Quality at the Source, POUS, and Pull Systems. They will learn how to reduce order lead times by 80%, reduce work in progress up to 90%, reduce floor space up to 75%, and improve quality up to 90%. The class consists of a combination of classroom learning and three rounds of live simulation.

Lean Pizza

Program Length: 8 hours

This program meets for one day. There are no course prerequisites. This workshop is designed for up to 18 people.

The goal of Lean Pizza is to equip food processors to be more competitive in their respective markets. Through understanding how to implement Lean Principles, participants can make changes in their production plant that will eliminate waste, maximize productivity and increase profits. The class will yield immediate results as students return to their workplace with an understanding of waste and how to begin eliminating it from the process.

Participants will learn the basic definitions of terms used in Lean Manufacturing. They will learn how to reduce processing cycle times by 80%, reduce work in progress up to 90%, reduce floor space up to 75%, and improve quality up to 90%. The class consists of a combination of classroom learning and live simulation to develop Pull Systems though Cell Flow development.

Lean Implementer Course

Participants in Lean Implementer will learn to facilitate the Lean efforts at the process level of the company. These classes are hands-on experiences that equip participants with the tools necessary to become a successful Lean Leader.

Theory is good, but participants must be able to apply the principles. Therefore, we conduct all training at a host client where participants experience real-life scenarios on the shop floor of a company that is engaged in a Lean Initiative. The course covers 5S/VFM, VSM, QCO, TPM, Cell Flow, Pull, VAM, TWI, Facilitation Skills & Toyota Kata and others.

The curriculum contains 168 hours of rigorous training in the core tools and disciplines of Lean Manufacturing. It also requires participants to do homework assignments, and to facilitate a kaizen event at their home company.

We administer periodic tests to check student understanding. At the end of the program, each participant completes a Board Examination. This is an open-book written and oral exam.

The course is designed for future Lean Leaders, and classes are limited to 12 students.

This program meets for four consecutive days each month, for five months. Each session day is 8 hours. Lunch is provided.

Teambuilding

Contact us to discuss Teambuilding training course topics for your business or small group. We are currently no longer offering the “Ropes Challenge” due to campus restrictions. However, we look forward to providing valuable team building training options to support change management, workplace learning styles, continuous improvement and other exciting topics relevant for the new workplace ‘normal’.

NWACC’s Integrated Design Lab (IDL) offers a physical makerspace that puts design into practice! The lab hosts a variety of community events, such as maker nights, workshops, and classes, where you can learn to design, create and innovate through artistic creativity, design-thinking principles, construction methods, and business practices. Email integrateddesign@nwacc.edu.

Fiber Optics

Program Length: 24 - 72 contact hours

Certified Fiber Optics Technician (CFOT) and Certified Fiber Optics Specialists (CFOS) courses prepare students for skills based training in premises cabling, outside plant installation, splicing, termination, testing and network design. NWACC is an FOA-approved school with course options starting at the three-day basic course (CFOT) and the opportunity to gain additional certifications (CFOS-T, CFOS-S, CFOS-O, CFOS-H). 

Classes meet at Shewmaker Workforce Technologies and all materials are included in the course.

Contact us at wedforms@nwacc.edu for more information.

Commercial Delivery Training And Truck Driving

NWACC’s CDL program consists of classroom, theory-based instruction, and simulator and behind the wheel training to prepare you for federal and state regulatory and compliance requirements.

Paths offered:

• CDL refresher courses, training and licensing for experienced CDL drivers
• CDL training to prepare for CDL test and obtain Class A, B or C license for new drivers

Note: To be eligible to attend school and obtain a CDL, you will need to have a regular driver’s license and be at least 18 years old. A Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) may be obtained at 18 years of age.

Refresher CDL Courses

NWACC offers three-day and five-day CDL refresher courses for truck drivers needing safety-based and continuing education training or who have previously held a CDL license and re-entering the CDL driver workforce.

Refresher courses include classroom instruction (up to 40 hours) on basic driver safety requirements, in-cab simulation maneuvering, and evaluation and readiness assessments. Course topics include regulations and vehicle mechanics, manual and automatic transmission, and air braking and maneuvering.

This refresher course is for drivers who need to remove restrictions, like an auto shift restriction. With the use of our state-of-the-art simulator, NWACC can efficiently and effectively teach you how to drive a manual transmission truck so you can re-test, remove your restrictions and become more employable. Situational classroom and simulator training lasts 20-hours and includes a customized program based on individual driver’s needs.

This course will:

• Update and improve your situational driving skills
• Offer personalized instruction
• Offer you current trucking industry information
• Make you proficient in vehicle inspections
• This course meets the needs of students who, in the past or currently, possess a Class A or B CDL and have moderate knowledge or experience in the truck driving industry.
• This refresher course is for drivers who have been away from the industry for a while and need the training to help bridge the gap from when they stopped driving. This course is also great for employers who have employees who are CDL holders but are not utilizing them. Refresher training lasts 40-hours and includes a customized program based on individual driver’s needs.

Full CDL Truck Driving Program

NWACC’s Full Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Truck Driving Program offers full training to new, entry-level drivers and includes 160 hours of classroom, theory-based instruction and simulator and in-cab training.

The program includes classroom and hands-on instruction on basic driver safety requirements, in-cab simulation maneuvering, and evaluation and readiness assessments. Course topics include regulations and vehicle mechanics, manual and automatic transmission, and air braking and maneuvering.

NWACC’s Full CDL Truck Driving Program offers training to new, entry-level drivers. It includes 160 hours of classroom, theory-based instruction and simulator and in-cab training.

Program Length: 160 hours

• Classroom - 54 hrs.
• Range - 55 hrs.
• Behind-the-Wheel - 35 hrs.
• Observation - 16 hrs.

Topics Include:

• Classroom, simulator and in-cab instruction
• Regulations and vehicle mechanics
• Manual and automatic transmission
• CDL A and B licensing completion

MS Office 2013/16/19 - 365 Excel® Basic

This course will familiarize students with spreadsheet terminology and the fundamental concepts of Microsoft Excel. You will learn to enter and edit spreadsheet data; modify a spreadsheet by moving, copying, inserting, and deleting data, cells, and ranges; use basic functions; create charts; apply formatting; print worksheets and use page setup options; and manage worksheets. All course materials included in price.

MS Office 2013/16 Excel® Intermediate

This course builds upon the skills and concepts taught in Excel Basic. You will learn how to use multiple worksheets and workbooks; start working with more advanced formatting options including styles, themes, and formatting with text functions; learn how to create outlines and subtotals; create and apply cell names; manipulate tables; save workbooks as webpages; insert and edit hyperlinks; and how to share workbooks. This course also covers advanced chart techniques; use of trend lines and spark lines; worksheet auditing and protection; file sharing and merging; workbook templates; and how to use Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts. All course materials included in price.

MS Office 2013/16 Excel® Advanced

This course builds upon the skills and concepts taught in Excel Intermediate. You will learn to work with advanced formulas, as well as logical and lookup functions such as IF, SUMIF, IFERROR, VLOOKUP, MATCH, and INDEX; learn about data validation and database functions such as DSUM; import and export data; how to query external databases; learn about the analytical features of Excel such as Goal Seek and Solver; run and record macros; SmartArt graphics; and conditional formatting with graphics. All course materials included in price.

MS Office 2013/16 Powerpoint® Basic

This course covers the basic functions and features of PowerPoint. You will learn to create presentations that include text, graphics, WordArt, tables, charts, and diagrams; edit and format slide content; and apply transition effects. All course materials included in price.

MS Office 2013/16 Powerpoint® Advanced

You will learn how to customize PowerPoint by modifying the ribbon and changing application settings; apply themes and templates; work with SmartArt graphics and tables; add multimedia content and interactive elements to slides; learn about presentation distribution options such as PDF, HTML, and online broadcasts; and integrate PowerPoint with Word and Excel. All course materials included in price.

Amazon Web Services Academy

As the only accredited AWS Academy in the state of Arkansas, the college offers AWS Academy Cloud Foundations, Cloud Architecting and Data Analytics courses. AWS Academy curriculum is taught by AWS Academy-accredited instructors, ensuring the program reflects current services and up-to-date best practices, while preparing you with the necessary industry skills and proficiency in AWS technology.

Receive a voucher for the certification exam along with an NWACC certificate of completion for each AWS course.

NWACC recognizes AWS certifications as college credit, so you can put your earned credits toward an associate degree.

AWS Academy Cloud Foundations is intended for students who seek an overall understanding of cloud computing concepts, independent of specific technical roles. It provides a detailed overview of cloud concepts, AWS core services, security, architecture, pricing and support and prepares you for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification.

Available courses may meet for 20 hours|8 nights. Contact workforceadmissions@nwacc.edu for more information.

Course Outcomes:

• Define the AWS Cloud
• Explain the AWS pricing philosophy
• Identify the global infrastructure components of AWS
• Describe the security and compliance measures of the AWS Cloud, including AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM)
• Create a virtual private cloud (VPC) by using Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (Amazon VPC)
• Demonstrate when to use Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), AWS Lambda, and AWS Elastic Beanstalk
• Differentiate between Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3), Amazon Elastic Block Store (Amazon EBS), Amazon Elastic File System (Amazon EFS), and Amazon Simple Storage Service Glacier (Amazon S3 Glacier)
• Demonstrate when to use AWS database services, including Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS), Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Redshift, and Amazon Aurora
• Explain the architectural principles of the AWS Cloud
• Explore key concepts related to Elastic Load Balancing, Amazon CloudWatch, and Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling

Amazon Web Services Academy Cloud Architecting Training

Learn the fundamentals of building IT infrastructure on AWS through a guided, hands-on approach. The course will teach you how to optimize the use of the AWS Cloud by understanding how AWS services fit into cloud-based business solutions. It will also prepare you for AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate certification.

• This course is designed for those who work in the IT field. This may include technical support associates and analysts, data center operations, IT support associates, cloud consultants, and so on.

Course meets for eight weeks|16 nights.

Course Outcomes:

• Describe how cloud adoption transforms the way IT systems work
• Describe the benefits of cloud computing with Amazon Web Services
• Discuss how to design systems that are secure, reliable, high-performing, and cost efficient
• Describe principles to consider when migrating or designing new applications for the cloud
• Identify the design patterns and architectural options applied in a variety of use cases
• Define high availability, fault tolerance, and scalability
• Discuss how to avoid single points of failure
• List AWS services that have built-in fault tolerance or can be designed for fault tolerance
• Describe why load balancing is a key architectural component for AWS-powered applications
• Identify the benefits of Infrastructure as Code
• Describe how to leverage the capabilities of AWS to support automation
• Create, manage, provision, and update related resources using AWS CloudFormation
• Articulate the importance of making systems highly cohesive and loosely coupled
• Describe system coupling to support the distributed nature of applications built for the cloud
• Describe database services for storing and deploying web-accessible applications
• Compare structured query language (SQL) databases with NoSQL databases
• Describe how the AWS Well-Architected Framework improves cloud-based architectures
• Describe the business impact of design decisions
• Identify the design principles and best practices of the Operational Excellence pillar
• Describe how to secure data at every layer in the application
• Describe the appropriate tools and services to provide security-focused content
• Describe the design principles and best practices of the Reliability pillar
• Select compute, storage, database, and networking resources to improve performance
• Evaluate the most important performance metrics for your applications
• Follow best practices to eliminate unneeded costs or suboptimal resources

This course has prerequisites. Please see information on our website or contact us at wedforms@nwacc.edu for additional questions.

IT Bootcamps and Software Training

Programs are offered through NorthWest Arkansas Community College Workforce and Economic Development in collaboration with Ed2Go, Skillsoft (R) and more. Course providers are committed to helping community colleges to prepare participants for high-growth careers in computer skills and software development. Courses are affordable, convenient and geared just for you.

Most courses offer bootcamps and accelerated skills training options including Full Stack Software Developer, Microsoft Azure and various Cybersecurity courses via self-paced and instructor-led formats.

Skills and technologies learned include Web Development, HTML and CSS, GitHub, JavaScript, AWS, Bootstrap, React, Scrum and Agile Immersion, FastAPI, OOP, Node.js and more.

Successful students are prepared to enter the workforce in an entry-level position in data engineer, business intelligence developer, and gain skills to sit for various certification exams.