SCC will hold its table gaming classes for the first time on its Jackson Campus starting the week of Feb. 4 in Sylva. Pictured are students in an SCC class last fall, from left sitting at the table, Paul Welzbacher of Cullowhee; Gregg Cattanach, from Doraville, Ga.; and dealer Denise Cochran of Marble. (SCC photo)
SYLVA – Starting the week of Feb. 4, Southwestern Community College will offer its blackjack and poker classes on weekday evenings at its Jackson Campus in Sylva.
It’s the first time SCC has offered the casino-preparation classes outside of the Qualla Boundary since the college became the first in the state approved to offer table gaming in 2012.
Blackjack courses are from 8-11 p.m. through April 25 in the Balsam Center. Meanwhile, poker classes will be held from 5-9 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays through March 21 – also in the Balsam Center.
Tuition for each is $180, and all classes are taught in collaboration with Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.
“Our goal is to make these classes available to anyone who’s working or already taking daytime college classes,” said Scott Sutton, SCC’s Dean of Workforce Continuing Education. “Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort has a tremendous need for both full-time and weekend dealers. For an investment of less than $200 and two months of your time, you can complete this class and land one of the top-paying jobs in our region.”
SCC’s classes teach participants how to deal the respective games, know the legal and regulatory aspects of gaming, operation of table-gaming tools and equipment – as well as every other skill needed to succeed in the fast-paced gaming industry.
For more information or to enroll, contact Scott Sutton (828) 339-4296 or scotts@southwesterncc.edu.
