1. What is Career Ladders?
Career Ladders is a program for English language learners that connects them to education, training, and jobs. Students focus on English skills that are specific to a particular career while they study to obtain a training certificate in that area. Many of the certificate courses--particularly those classified as 'Technical Career Ladders' courses--also allow students to accumulate college credits. There are scholarships or partial financial assistance available for students who qualify.

2. Which certificates can I get through Career Ladders? 
The technical component of Career Ladders (i.e. Technical Career Ladders) offers scholarships and English language suppport for the following certificates:

1) Basic Machining Skills
2) Applied Electrical
3) Fast Track Carpentry
4) Printshop Technician
5) Auto Body Repair
6) Office Technology

3. How are Career Ladders and Technical Career Ladders different?
Career Ladders is the name of the program. Technical Career Ladders specifically focuses on technical careers and is a part of Career Ladders.

4. What level of English do I need to have to participate in Career Ladders?
Career Ladders welcomes non-native English speakers at any level of proficiency. We offer English classes to meet the needs of students from beginner to advanced levels. However, in order to enroll for one of the certificate programs, students must be at the advanced level.

5. What are the specific program requirements to apply for a certificate program?
a) First, you must be eligible to work legally in North Carolina.
b) Next, you need to score 230 at a minimum on the CASAS Reading Test 187R available.
c) Third, you need to contact Career Ladders at careerladders.esl@cpcc.edu/

6. Do I need a social security number?
Yes

7. Will I need to verify my residency status?
Yes, you will be expected to show your social security card, driver's license and other documentation verifying that you are able to work legally in the US and are a resident of North Carolina. To be considered a resident of North Carolina, you must be able to provide documentation that proves you have lived here for at least 12 consecutive months.  Acceptable documents include--but are not limited to--N.C. driver’s license, N.C. tax returns, leases, utility bills, voter registration cards, and so on. Additional information can be found online at http://www1.cpcc.edu/admissions/admissions/residency

8. How do I verify my residency status?
You will need to take your documents in person to the Registration Office at your nearest campus:

a) Harris Campus--Room WC1117
b) Harper Campus--HP255
c) Central Campus--CH232
 
9. What do I do with the form the Registration Office gives me verifying my residency status?
You will need to take this form to a Career Ladders advisor at our designated Career Ladders Campus. An advisor will be available at Harris I Campus in room HCC 2214-06

10. Who will be my contact person?
 Ingrid Schlotterbeck

11. Do I need to pay if I want to get the certificate?
Certificate courses are not free, but scholarship or financial aid money is available if you qualify. All other English language courses in our Career Ladders program are tuition-free, however.

12. Can I get college credits for the certificate?
If they are Technical Career Ladders courses, you will be able to get up to 12 college credits. All other English language courses do not offer college credit.

13. Are scholarships available?
The JumpStart Scholarship will pay for tuition, Campus Access, Parking and Security Fee, and books for the Technical Career Ladders courses.

14. Will I need to have a high-school diploma
for the certicate?
No, but if you intend on taking further courses afterwards toward an Associate's degree at CPCC, you will need to have a high school diploma or GED.
 
15. How long will it takes to finish the certificate?
From 16 -24 weeks and one year. Depends on the certificate.

16. Can I transfer to a two-year degree program when I finish my certificate?
If you already have a high school diploma or GED, you may transfer your college credits from the Technical Career Ladders courses and apply to enter a degree program at CPCC. 

If you do not have a high school diploma/GED and are an advanced English language learner, you may attend the Basic Skills program at CPCC for tuition-free preparation and courses to obtain a high school diploma or GED.

17. What if my test scores are not high enough to enter the certificate programs?
If you are high intermediate, Career Ladders offers preparation courses to help you get ready for your chosen career. We offer:

a) English for Financial Services
b) Work Skills & Careers
c) Pre-Technical

Additionally, we offer general ESL opportunities in:
 the self-access ESL labs at most of our campuses, special topics workshops, civics courses, and distance learning for students who cannot access language learning opportunities on our campuses.