LEARNING FOR A LIFETIME

Where to pick up a new job skill or hobby in Manatee County

By Kendra Gemma

Back to school isn’t just for the kids! In Manatee County, adults can continue their educations, no matter their age or interests, at a variety of schools and institutions. Change careers, sharpen your skills for your job or the community, or simply have fun trying your hand at an artistic endeavor. Peruse the options and pick your path to personal enrichment.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Enhancing your knowledge can help you get ahead in your job – or move in a whole new direction. Manatee County colleges offer classes and certificate programs to assist you in achieving your goals.

At State College of Florida (SCF) Manatee-Sarasota, enrolled students can earn associate degrees, but the school also has professional development classes for those who don’t want or need a college degree. You can learn basic computer skills in programs like Word and PowerPoint, complete the requisite course for a Florida insurance or a real estate license or become a certified personal trainer, among other vocational opportunities.

SCF has its own Coding Academy, where anyone, regardless of education level, can train and test for industry-recognized credentials, such as CompTIA Security+ and Microsoft Power Platform. Software developer bootcamps were designed for working professionals, with classes taking place in evenings and on weekends in a hybrid format.

Also associated with SCF, 26 West Center is primarily geared toward adults at any stage of their careers who want to grow themselves or their businesses. The Entrepreneurship Academy workshops are taught by local successful entrepreneurs and cover essential topics, from social media marketing to raising capital.

Manatee Technical College prepares students for new job opportunities through its Career and Technical Education Programs. You could find work as a pastry chef, a childcare center director, a massage therapist, or an automotive body repairer, to name a few potential employment choices. The Continuing Education department helps students add to their skills in their current careers in healthcare, firefighting, and law enforcement.

Adult education isn’t solely the purview of colleges in Manatee County. Since 1982,
the Manatee Chamber of Commerce has held its annual Leadership Manatee program to develop community leaders. If you’re interested in taking part in the
six-month program, you must fill out an application form, which includes an essay
portion. Selected participants will attend daylong sessions that will expose them to
aspects of the community, such as healthcare, agriculture, and law enforcement.
Graduates stay connected to the program and each other for years to come, making it a great networking scenario as well as a way to edify yourself and guide you to becoming a better and more involved citizen.

CREATIVE PURSUITS

Sometimes, you just want to have fun and express yourself through art. You won’t
want for chances to add a pastime to your repertoire or pick up an old hobby from
a lifetime ago.

At Music Compound MAN, the brand-new Manatee location of the popular Sarasota music school, adults can turn into rockstars or refresh their skills on an instrument they haven’t played in years. Private and group lessons are available on anything from the piano to the ukulele. If love music but you’re not an aspiring musician, try your hand at songwriting, music production, or singing.

Performers who prefer to dance can sign up for classes at Ovation – School of Musical Theatre. While the school mostly caters to kids whose sights are on Broadway, it also lets adults stretch their bodies and their minds with classes just for them. Put on your dancing shoes for tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, or contemporary lessons.

If you like working with your hands more that your feet, register for an art or craft class instead. ArtCenter Manatee exhibits works by local artists, and it encourages amateurs to dabble in the arts. Classes and workshops are led by highly qualified instructors, or the occasional award-winning visiting instructor. Students can create jewelry or pottery, draw, or paint, and even fashion a fused glass bowl. Some classes are one-day or weekend-long workshops, while others meet for a few weeks.

If you prefer your artistry with friends and a beverage, visit art studio/boutique GypSeasoul in downtown Bradenton for one of its evening workshops. You’ll leave with fun memories and a souvenir – like a glass starfish collage – that you made yourself.

In Manatee County, it’s never too late to learn something new. Grab a notebook, your guitar, or a paintbrush and expand your horizons!