LILLINGTON - Central Carolina Community College is adding an evening Laser & Photonics Technology Associate Degree program on CCCC's Harnett Main Campus in Lillington. This program will begin in the Spring 2023 semester.

All the laser program core classes of electronics and photonics technology lectures and labs will be offered evenings between Monday and Thursday. The number of evenings required per week will vary semester to semester. Students taking a full load of classes will complete the program in six semesters, including two summer sessions. Program classes outside of the core classes, such as English or Math, may be taken online.

The program will lead to an Associate in Laser & Photonics Technology and a Certificate in Electronics Engineering Technology. The CCCC laser program is one of very few across the country.

Lasers have experienced tremendous growth during the last 20 years, and laser applications are continuing to grow at a very fast pace. This has created a shortage in available prepared professionals to hire. Companies and organizations are looking to find laser graduates to fill openings, as first-year laser graduate salaries have recently ranged from $60K to $100K-plus, with outstanding benefits. Examples of recent expansion announcements of Wolfspeed and VinFast will continue to push the high-tech workforce demand higher.

If you enjoy problem solving and hands-on learning, and are ready to start in a high-paying and in-demand career field, or considering a career change, please inquire about the new CCCC Laser Evening program.

To inquire about the program, or request a tour of the program, please contact Lead Laser Instructor Gary Beasley by phone, 910-814-8828, or email gbeasley@cccc.edu. Learn more about the CCCC Laser & Photonics Technology program at www.cccc.edu/lasers. The CCCC laser program is a part of CCCC's STEM Career Community.

For more information on Central Carolina Community College - which is dedicated to providing pathways to achievable dreams, visit www.cccc.edu.