The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Employer U program, which focuses on providing workforce development opportunities for the region, will offer three six-week courses this fall beginning Tuesday, Oct. 11, as part of its American Management Association’s University certificate program. Each 20-hour course will be offered in the newly opened MMG Center for Professional Development, located on the first floor of Kelley Commons, adjacent to the Campus Center.
Sponsored by UMPI from content developed and published by AMA’s Self Study division, the program is specifically geared to fit the particular needs of working professionals who want to be more effective in their current position as well as be more thoroughly prepared for future advancement, according to Kim Jones, Director of Employer U. By meeting in a classroom setting with other participants from many different occupations and organizations, students are able to see how other companies handle problems similar to their own.
“Organizations worldwide, including the majority of the Fortune 500, turn to American Management Association certification programs as their trusted source for professional development,” Jones said. “We’re very pleased to be able to offer the AMA’s University certificate program here, and we’re also excited to be adding a new Customer Satisfaction certification, in direct response to a request from area employers who understand the value of delivering exceptional customer service.”
The course Delivering Knock Your Socks Off Service will be held Oct. 11 to Nov. 15 from 5 to 8:15 p.m. The participants will learn practical skills needed to deliver exceptional internal and external customer service in the modern workplace. Objectives of the course will include: understanding what customers want, identifying opportunities for service improvement, mastering “Moments of Truth” to exceed customer expectations, developing techniques to handle a variety of difficult customer situations, and communicating clearly to get messages across and avoid misunderstandings. This course is taught by Kim Jones, Director of Employee U. Participants will earn 2 CEUs for this course, which is required for the Customer Satisfaction certificate and an elective for other certificates.
Becoming a Manager runs from Oct. 12 through Nov. 16 from 5 to 8:15 p.m. This course will equip participants with techniques for developing a leadership mindset, building successful partnerships between employees and management, honing influence and persuasion skills, learning how to manage time, projects, changes, and challenges, exploring several leadership styles, and cultivating critical thinking and problem solving skills. The instructor for this course is Tim McMahon, Senior Management and Leadership veteran. Participants will earn 2 CEUs for this course, which is required for the General Management certificate and an elective for other certificates.
The third course, called Fair, Square, and Legal: A Manager’s Guide to Safe Hiring starts on Oct. 17 and runs through Nov. 21 from 5 to 8:15 p.m. During this course, participants will gain knowledge about documentation, compliance, and prevention for business-related actions that can raise legal liability. The learning objectives will include: identifying potential employment law violations before they occur, how to handle employee dismissals, harassment complaints, and employee rights violations, understanding “reasonable accommodations” for employees with disabilities, learning guidelines for protecting employees called into military service, conducting safe hiring interviews and performance reviews, and writing effective and legal help wanted advertisements and job descriptions. Doug Hise, Senior Human Resource Business Partner with the University of Maine System will instruct this course. Participants will earn 2 CEUs for this course, which is required for the Human Resources certificate and an elective for other certificates.
American Management Association (AMA) self study university courses are designed to help professionals from any industry improve management skills needed for success in today’s workplace. Facilitated by experienced educators and business leaders, classes are an effective mix of workbook readings, group activities, and discussions. Participants who successfully complete 10 CEUs (a combination of required courses and electives) earn nationally recognized AMA certification in their chosen field of General Management, Human Resources, or Customer Satisfaction.
Each six-week course is $300 per person and meets once a week. Tuition includes textbook, instruction, and all materials. Payment is due by the first class unless other arrangements are made beforehand with UMPI’s Director of Employer U. To register, please visit https://.goo.gl/forms/lXnG9SqlRmF3UU9C3 or contact Kim Jones, Director of Employee U, at kimberly.a.jones@maine.edu or 207-768-9459.
UMPI’s Employer U program, established in 2015, is designed to provide ongoing professional development opportunities for employees of area businesses. Employer U provides dynamic, customized trainings that meet the unique workforce needs of its clients across Aroostook County, focusing on each organization’s culture, resources, and purpose. Employer U delivers program content full of immersive, hands-on experiences, and in a variety of ways that ensure participants—regardless of their learning styles—are able to understand, retain and apply the information. Existing programs, such as American Management Association certification and UMPI’s Young Professionals Institute, are delivered through Employer U, with several new offerings—including workshops on customer service, leadership, social media, effective communication, and other topics relevant in today’s, and tomorrow’s, workplace—slated for later this year. CEU courses for educators are currently being offered, and officials are looking to add CEU’s for other professions, such as law enforcement, to the growing list of Employer U programs, in addition to other industry-specific trainings.
