{"id":37356,"date":"2013-04-17T05:19:37","date_gmt":"2013-04-17T10:19:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/?p=37356"},"modified":"2013-04-17T05:19:37","modified_gmt":"2013-04-17T10:19:37","slug":"bec-offers-business-training-classes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/2013\/04\/17\/bec-offers-business-training-classes\/","title":{"rendered":"BEC offers business training classes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Business Enterprise Center news<\/em><\/p>\n

CELINA — Since the mid-1980s, there has been free business assistance available to local entrepreneurs in Auglaize, Mercer, Van Wert and other nearby counties. The Business Enterprise Center (BEC) has offered many non-credit classes for business owners, managers or employees in such topics as Excel, QuickBooks, Social Media, Computer Basics, and Access. These classes have been driven by the public\u2019s demand for high-quality, short-term classes, offered at times convenient to working employees, with training outcomes based on the needs of businesses.<\/p>\n

The Business Enterprise Center has helped thousands of new business start-ups since 1985. Today, free business consultation services are still offered to new and existing businesses throughout the area. For many years, the cost of offering free counseling was offset by funds through the Ohio Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). In 2001 and 2002, funding was dropped from many of these centers throughout Ohio, including the center at the Lake Campus. Due to strong support from the campus and the BEC Advisory Board, the center was able to continue this valuable service. Since 2004, a number of local banks, economic development agencies, community foundations, and counties have donated funds to help offset the cost of this program.<\/p>\n

The BEC also established a Starting Right class that is currently offered at the Lake Campus once a month and in Van Wert once a month. This class has a nominal fee of $35 per business (the BEC recommends that more than one person from each business attend at no extra cost) gives entrepreneurs a general overview of topics that need to be addressed.<\/p>\n

Since 2004, over 271 businesses have taken advantage of these two-hour Starting Right classes. Of course, those individuals who have, or had, an existing business can meet with a counselor to discuss many topics related to business ownership and management and those sessions are free as well. Since 2004, over 610 business owners have received free assistance and BEC counselors have doled out over 1,560 hours of free counseling.<\/p>\n

Many area residents aren\u2019t aware that the BEC has also developed and offered customized training to many local businesses. Some of the training revolves around software such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, and AutoCAD. Other training has been related to \u201csoft skill\u201d training areas, such as leadership, supervisory, business communication, teamwork, and delegation. Still other training has been very intensive technical training, such as Direct Digital Controls (HVAC systems), LEED (green buildings), AutoCAD Civil 3D (Engineering), Finite Element Modeling, and QI Macros training (Six Sigma. The BEC tries to ensure quality instruction, timely topics, excellent customer service and affordability in an effort to alleviate the travel and expense of employees taking this training out of the area and sometimes, out of state.<\/p>\n

Since late in 2007, the BEC has also offered Advanced Manufacturing training to primarily incumbent workers many of whom are maintenance technicians. Originally training and machinery was provided through a joint grant from the Department of Labor, since June 2010 the Lake Campus BEC has sustained this program which is so valuable to our manufacturing facilities. We have greatly increased the flexibility of the program and we try to work with each company to ensure their employees get the training they need but do not have to pay a substantial sum for topics not necessary to their particular facility.<\/p>\n

We also offer open enrollment, non-credit classes to all individuals throughout the region. These classes are generally geared towards those already working in businesses but many people want to take the classes to increase their employability or to sharpen their skills to get a promotion or pay raise. These classes are offered on-site at WSU-Lake Campus. Usually there is no book assigned for the class but we do provide a helpful handout packet and there is never any graded homework!<\/p>\n

Upcoming BEC Open Enrollment Non-credit Class Schedule:<\/em><\/p>\n