Spring enrollment is up at local community colleges

It looks like some of the people who are out of work may be honing their skills at community college.

Cape Fear Community College is expecting to set a new record for spring enrollment. Once registration ends in a couple weeks, the school is looking at a seven to ten percent more students than spring 2007.

Brunswick Community College is seeing an eleven percent increase since last spring. Officials said the increase is due to folks looking for affordable education in an expensive time.

Cape Fear Community College’s David Harden said, "It's definitely a record number for us. I think that's good news. There are job options available for local residents with the right education."

Southeastern Community College is expecting a five percent increase in enrollment over last semester.

Those numbers could go even higher; part of governor-elect Bev Perdue's plan is to offer free community college tuition.