Workforce Training Specialist Celeste Williamson said the programs are aimed at several things, such as helping people find new careers or bolster their qualifications, but also just giving them something enjoyable to do with their free time.

"When the economy began to go down, I can remember sitting in a staff meeting and someone saying, 'The economy is going down, enrollment will go up, it has always done that,'" she said. "People transition jobs, or they've lost their job, and this is an opportunity to take training. Maybe they've got free time they didn't have when they were working."

There are also computer courses available, and they can be taken onsite or online, Williamson said. She said the classes are six- to eight-week courses that give 24 hours of training and are closely monitored by online instructors.

"We have facilitators ... who are very student-minded, and will help them work through the classes, and they're there to answer questions for you," she said. "They're very supportive of the student."

Career training programs focus on giving participants training to put them into the workforce, with classes like commercial truck driving, heating and air conditioning, and welding. These classes are aimed at helping people find jobs in new career fields, Williamson said.

Most exciting, perhaps, Williamson said, are the personal enrichment classes, which bring fun to the classroom for people who are simply looking to enjoy some time of entertainment after a long workday.

"We've done that for many, many years just to provide something to the community. There are adults who'd like to do something productive with their spare time to learn things and improve themselves," she said.

Among the personal enrichment classes listed for 2009-10 are cake decorating, western dancing for couples, and holiday party foods. For the more artistic types, there is a class for beginning photography, basic painting and basic drawing.

"I'd take the holiday party foods if I could. While it's not held on campus, that is a great idea, if I had time I'd go take it," Williamson said. "It's a good idea for the holidays, just an opportunity to learn new party food ideas."

Online personal enrichment, which costs $89 per class, offers classes like genealogy basics, "Goodbye to Shy" - a course to help build personal confidence, a class to teach ways to assist aging parents, outdoor survival techniques and speed reading.

"The sky's the limit as far as personal enrichment and professional development online go. It would be hard not to find something you'd be interested in," Williamson said. "There's so many to choose from."

Williamson said anyone interested in the Workforce Education Program or personal enrichment classes can call 601-643-8711 for more information.