[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Taylor_O’Reilly.jpg” caption=”Tracey Taylor-O’Reilly, director of the Centre for Continuing Education. Photo by Susan Bubak.”]McMaster's Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) has been nominated as the best business/service in the adult education category by the 2008 Hamilton Community News Readers Choice Awards.

Students and training participants can cast their vote for the quality of the Centre's programs by visiting www.hamiltonreaderschoice.ca this week.

“The quality of the educational opportunities we offer our students is very important to everyone at the Centre for Continuing Education,” said Tracey Taylor-O'Reilly, director of the CCE. “We're proud to be part of McMaster and make every effort to ensure our students receive the high quality, innovative educational opportunities one would expect of this university.”

She added that the CCE recently implemented an extensive customer service program to ensure that every aspect of students' experience with the CCE is as positive as their learning experience.

“This nomination is an indication that our students are appreciating that commitment to service,” said Taylor-O'Reilly.

The CCE's certificates and diplomas are in-depth programs providing knowledge and practical information in a range of focus areas, including business, health and social services and applied sciences.

What sets McMaster apart from other institutions is that when students complete a CCE certificate or diploma program, they are eligible to apply for advanced credit toward degree studies or a professional designation.

“We want to make it easier for people to participate in continuing education,” said Taylor-O'Reilly. “We offer afternoon, evening and weekend classes, online and self-directed distance programs to try to help people meet the demands of modern life and continue to learn and grow professionally.”

In 2007, the CCE's addiction education program earned a national award from the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education. This award recognized the Centre's achievements with regard to the value, complexity, ingenuity and innovation of its unique addiction education program.

The CCE also offers a variety of diploma and training programs that can be customized for employers.

To vote for McMaster's Centre for Continuing Education as Hamilton's best adult education service, please visit www.hamiltonreaderschoice.ca before March 3.