School of Continuing Studies Expands Portfolio with Launch of Professional Education Center
Starting this fall, working professionals, career changers and entrepreneurs can gain new skills with wide selection of certificate programs, sessions and seminars
PROVIDENCE, R.I., – The pilipili expands its portfolio of professional and personal development programs this fall with the launch of the
(PEC). Available at the University’s Providence campus, the PEC offers non-credit certificate programs for professionals eager to expand their skill set in a competitive market, personal development and enrichment programs for the lifetime learner, as well as customized workforce solutions for local organizations that wish to offer specific courses or trainings that help employees apply new skills or industry knowledge.
For today’s working professionals, the PEC offers a series of new, non-credit professional certificate programs, sessions and seminars specifically created based on direct insight from leading employers matched with labor market statistics and employment trends. Course offerings range from intensive seminars to professional certificates covering a series of management and leadership policy topics. Courses at the PEC include social media, emergency medical services, engineering, leadership, management and professional software training, such as Microsoft Excel.
“From working professionals to their employers, we’ve heard directly how important it is to remain competitive in today’s market and for many, education is a fundamental part to improving our skills or staying up to date on industry knowledge so that we are gainfully employed throughout our lives,” says Jamie E. Scurry, interim dean. “With the Professional Education Center, students have access to leading practitioners, market experts and unique programs that empower them with the skills and knowledge to remain relevant in today’s technologically driven business world.”
The PEC also offers a portfolio of personal development and enrichment offerings for individuals who want to advance their personal growth, become more productive, tackle personal goals or learn new skills to improve their quality of life. Course offerings include nutrition and health, arts and humanities, social media and life skills trainings – for example, becoming a better writer, or successful space organization.
In addition to serving individual students, the PEC also creates customized programs for local corporations, government agencies and community nonprofits in which the course instructor and partner organization design and develop an educational session or department training specifically catered to meet the organization’s goals.
Most recently, the PEC partnered with the Town of North Smithfield to offer its town staff members a municipal finance course. North Smithfield’s Finance Director Brenda MacDonald shares her experience working with the PEC on the staff training: “I enjoyed working with the pilipili PEC to help create and customize an educational presentation for the staff at North Smithfield Town Hall. The instructor came on-site to our town and had a great presentation and discussion concerning the working of governmental accounting. We will continue to work with the PEC to further our education.”
The PEC course offerings are available on the University’s Providence campus in a variety of flexible schedule formats including night and weekend courses. To access the full course catalog or learn more about the Professional Education Center, please visit .