New adult ed classes to start soon

BROOKSVILLE There is some good news for people out of work, underemployed or seeking a career change.

The Hernando County School District and the Office of Business Development have teamed up to launch new adult education programs to be held at Nature Coast Technical High School.

The courses, for adults age 16 and older, will be offered through the new Suncoast Technical Education Center.

The news comes at a time when Hernando County’s unemployment rate has inched up for two consecutive months, reaching 8.9 percent in June.

Interested people can attend an open house from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 8 at Nature Coast Technical High School.

Business Development Director Mike McHugh said in a press release that the collaboration should expand educational and economic opportunities on the Nature Coast.

“With primary funding from the Florida Legislature and supplemented by the school district and private business groups — including Hernando Progress and the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce — Suncoast Tech has a mission to provide workers with marketable skills that are aligned with local employer needs,” according to McHugh.

Registration for the first classes at Suncoast Tech are being accepted through Aug. 19. Classes begin on Aug. 26 and continue through Dec. 19 for these professions:

-Home Health Aide

-Culinary Arts and Commercial Foods

-Cosmetology

Located on the campus of Nature Coast Technical High School, eligible participants are offered free care for children ages 4-10, Monday to Thursday. Financial aid is available for select courses. Additional courses, more technical in nature, will be offered for the next semester which begins in January 2014. They include, but may not be limited to:

-Auto Mechanics

-Precision Machining/Manufacturing

-HVAC/Refrigeration

More information about course descriptions and registration, or about the open house on Aug. 8, is available at www.SunTechEd.com, or by calling the school at (352) 797-7091