Workforce Development

This comprehensive training focuses on mastering the art of navigating high-stakes conversations where emotions run strong, opinions differ, and outcomes matter. The training is for professionals seeking to enhance communication skills and provides practical tools to transform difficult discussions into productive dialogues.

Register for Elevating Dialogue Skills Registration Form

• What Are Crucial Conversations?
  Understand the unique challenges of high-stakes conversations and the deliberate skills needed to navigate them successfully.
• Frameworks for Mastering Dialogue:
  • Create Safety for Dialogue: Learn to foster mutual respect and shared purpose, minimizing defensiveness and misunderstandings.
  • Focus on the Heart of the Issue: Prioritize the core purpose of conversations over emotional distractions, ensuring clarity and effectiveness.
  • Separate Facts from Stories: Distinguish between factual events and subjective interpretations, challenging assumptions to achieve mutual understanding.
  • Practice Active Listening: Build trust and empathy through mirroring, paraphrasing, and priming to encourage open dialogue.

 

Outcome:
Participants will leave this training equipped to handle even the most challenging conversations confidently, fostering stronger relationships and driving better results in their personal and professional lives.

Training Dates:
Thursday, Dec. 17^th 1-4pm

Register for Elevating Dialogue Skills Registration Form

Coaching and Development
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 1-4 pm

• Course Description: Great leaders don’t just manage tasks; they grow the people in their organization. This interactive workshop equips participants with practical skills and strategies to coach and develop others effectively. Through discussion, activities, and real-world scenarios, participants will learn the difference between coaching and mentoring, provide meaningful feedback, and create a culture of growth and accountability.
• Course Objectives:
  
  • Know the differences between coaching and mentoring 
  • Understand different coaching methods 
  • Development plan ideas  
  • Learn how to build trust as a coach 
  • Practice the basics of delivering feedback
  • Ask the right questions in a coaching discussion  

Register for Coaching and Development Training

Managing Change Training
Thursday, Oct. 23, 9 am-12 pm

• Course Description: Participants will learn proven change management approaches, how to anticipate resistance, communicate effectively, and build resilience for smoother transitions. This workshop presents a three-phase approach to change management, ensuring participants leave with a clear understanding of how to successfully lead their teams through change. Training is provided by Stephanie Gandsey with Leadership Extension.
• Course Objectives:
  • Encourage participants to examine their own reactions to change
  • Understand different change management approaches and the role of leadership
  • Increase participants’ awareness of how others respond to change
  • Explore leadership behaviors and how they influence change
  • Learn practical techniques for managing change with team

Register For The Managing Change Training

Boost your small business with practical, hands-on workshops designed to strengthen your team, improve processes, and grow your bottom line. Explore sessions that cover hiring, process improvement, cash flow management, strategic planning, and customer service excellence. Trainings are provided by SJ Bulmer, Bulmer Consulting LLC.

Register for Small Business Workshops

Hiring Smart: Finding the Right Fit for Your Business
Thursday, Nov. 6, 9-10 am

• Course Description: Hiring is one of the biggest investments a small business makes. This workshop covers fundamental tips to attract, interview, and select the best talent to strengthen your team.
• Course Objectives: Key steps in the hiring process, what to look for beyond skills, and strategies to make a positive impression on potential hires.

 

Getting Started with Six Sigma: Process Improvement
Thursday, Nov. 6, 10:30-11:30 am

• Course Description: Curious about Six Sigma? This introductory session provides a high-level overview of how Six Sigma principles can help identify and eliminate inefficiencies, leading to better quality and cost savings.
• Course Objectives: What Six Sigma is, the benefits of process improvement, and basic concepts like variation and defect reduction.

 

Cash Flow Hacks for Small Businesses
Thursday, Nov. 6, 1-2 pm

• Course Description: This quick-start session delivers actionable tips you can implement right away to better understand and improve your business’s cash flow. Perfect for small business owners seeking immediate financial clarity.
• Course Objectives: Practical strategies to identify cash flow challenges, quick tips for cash management, and why cash flow is king for sustainable growth.

 

Register for Small Business Workshops

 

Are you seeking training to address specific skills gaps, improve employee performance, and stay competitive in your industry? The Workforce Development Office can assist with your training needs.

Customized Training

Our customized training programs provide on-the-job practice to develop a highly skilled workforce. Optimize employee resources, increase employee satisfaction, and strengthen your company’s culture. We provide:

• Comprehensive customized training
• Curriculum development
• Qualified trainers with industry experience
• Cost-effective resources to meet your training needs
• And more

Contract Training

Contract training focuses on specific training objectives to improve employee performance and achieve strategic goals. Training is specialized to an employer's needs and can be offered at local businesses, training facilities or online. Topics include:

• Back Safety — Proper Lifting Techniques
• Hazard Communications Training 1910.1200
• O.T. Hazmat (Department of Transportation Required Hazardous Materials Training)
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
• Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices (A.R.C. Flash — Lock-Out/Tag-Out)
• Safety Manual Development
• Safety Committee Development
• Quarterly Compliance Consulting and Training
• P.R./First Aid/AED/Fire Extinguisher Training
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Training
• OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry Training
• OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Training
• OSHA 30-Hour Construction Industry Training

We help employers find the right candidates for their jobs through recruitment events, job fairs, internships and more.

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"Earn while you learn” opportunities, such as internships and apprenticeships, allow students the option to work for local businesses while gaining the hands-on experience needed to complete their education.

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Turn your hobby into a business. Have an idea you are ready to launch? We help budding entrepreneurs and small business owners scale and grow their businesses.

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