two co-workers smiling in the workplace

Vocational Skills Courses

Vocational Skills courses are developmental-level, non-credit courses that are designed to develop life and vocational skills that can lead to competitive, entry-level employment and enhance everyday living skills. Most courses meet for eight weeks, meeting twice a week for two hours during the fall and spring semesters. These classes can be repeated up to five times. 

Animal Care Skills

Our pets are like members of our family and caring for them is important in order to make them happy and live longer, healthier lives.  We will discuss all kinds of companion animals and common skills for care will be reviewed.

Auto Care Skills

This course offers classroom and hands-on training related to the basic skills needed for entry-level employment and general car maintenance.

Computer Skills I and II

These courses include topics related to computer familiarity, work processing, text editing, margins, text alignment, tabs, bullet lists, envelopes, and labels.

Employment Skills

This course provides an introduction to on-the-job skills.  Topics include understanding standards of behavior; communication with employers, co-workers, and public; and time management.  

Food Service Skills I and II

This course provides the basic/intermediate skills required for food service occupations. Topics include demonstration and hands-on learning in sanitation, safe food handling, safety issues, food preparation and cooking. 

General Office Skills

This is an introduction to basic office tasks and operation of office machines. Topics include filing, mailing, copying, faxing and time management skills. 

Horticulture Skills I and II

This course focuses on the propagation, growth, and care of various plants in the greenhouse.  Learning topics include types of propagation and the caring of plants from propagation to maturity (market ready).  Emphasis is placed on fall/winter or spring/summer plants.  Students will have the opportunity to select plants to propagate and apply their acquired skills.  All projects are taken home.

Hospitality Skills I and II

This is an introduction to basic skills required for entry-level hospitality and hotel housekeeping occupations. Topics include basic room cleaning, laundry duties, proper trash handling, and cleaning product safety. Personal grooming and social skills are also covered. 

Keyboard Skills

This course provides an introduction to the computer keyboard and typing skills.  Topics include how to touch type alphabetic and special characters.  

Meet Some of Our Instructors

Karla Megow is our COACH-Year One morning instructor. Karla has over 40 years of experience teaching students with special needs in the high school and college settings.

Valerie Ulett has taught at COD for over 30 years. She taught in the Office and Technology Department for 10 years and in the Developmental Education Department for over 20 years.

 

Contact Information

Continuing Education
Student Resource Center (SRC), Room 1110
(630) 942-2208
Fax: (630) 942-3785
Email: CE@cod.edu

Front Desk Hours
  • Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Office hours may vary due to holidays and staff coverage.