C4 Columbus Area Career Connection will conduct an open house for potential students from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 21 at the C4 facilities at Columbus North High School.

The purpose of the open house is to introduce its programs and courses to potential students, according to a news release.

C4 classes encompass a wide variety of fields, including nursing, cosmetology, welding, precision machining, criminal justice, engineering, graphic arts, education and others.

Emphasis is placed on hands-on learning, which prepares students for higher education and the workforce.

A new course, Automation and Robotics, will be offered in the 2015-16 school year. This course will include theory and programming of automated manufacturing system and is in response to employer demand.

“This class came about when our industry partners identified the need for employees skilled in electrical circuits, manufacturing motors and mechanical technology. There was a gap, and this is what we have done to help fill the gap,” C4 director Gene Hack said.

Students who will be in high school next school year, freshmen through seniors, are invited to the open house.

C4 provides career and technical education to high school students in Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson counties and portions of Johnson County.

There will be a chili dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. There also will be door prizes.