Workforce Professional Development Certificate
OWA and Kent State Corporate University have partnered to provide a basic/foundational OWA/KSU Workforce Professional Development Certificate. Completion of the recommended competencies and courses below will allow staff to apply to receive an OWA/KSU Workforce Professional Development Certificate, along with a Badge from KSU:
Single courses can be taken by taken without the intent to complete a certificate.
This certificate is recognized by the Ohio Workforce Association member directors.
OWA Workforce Professional Development Certificate - 2025
Programs run 8:30 a.m. to noon
Single courses can be taken individually without the intent to complete a certificate.
1. Competency: Communication
Course - Enhancing Interpersonal Communication Skills
Thursday, October 2, 2025 and Friday, October 3, 2025 RESCHEDULED FROM MARCH 2025
Link: https://kentstate.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=39052&int_category_id=2&int_sub_category_id=9&int_catalog_id=0
This program will be delivered virtually via Zoom. Cost: $395.00
Effective communication skills give us the power to achieve success in our professional roles. Neither expertise nor experience can overcome the negative impact of a lack of good communication skills on credibility. Being effective requires choosing that best strategy for keeping the conversation on track and the people involved in sync.
Through the use of self-assessments, skill-building exercises and role-play, you will learn specific communication skills that produce positive results in a variety of situations.
• analyze your communication impact on others
• listen efficiently
• learn to say “no” with tact and assertiveness
• avoid annoying conversational habits
• give clear instructions
• choose the “right” words at the right moment
2. Competency: Problem-Solving
Course – Making Great Decisions
Thursday, April 17, 2025 and Friday, April 18, 2025
Link: https://kentstate.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=39017&int_category_id=2&int_sub_category_id=9&int_catalog_id=0
This program will be delivered virtually through Zoom. Cost: $395.00
When was the last time you or your team sat down and evaluated the lessons learned from either a great decision or a bad decision? Managers, employees and teams are constantly making and implementing decisions, but few examine the process and assess the quality of their decisions. In today's business environment, the impact of a poorly made decision can be costly. On the other hand, a great decision can produce results that will move an organization forward. This program focuses on helping you learn and apply a proven process for making effective decisions utilizing group exercises, movie clips, real-world examples and a team case study to analyze and improve decision-making skills.
3. Competency: Conflict Resolution
Course - Turning Conflict into Collaboration
Thursday, May 1, 2025 and Friday, May 2, 2025
Link:
https://kentstate.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=39018&int_category_id=2&int_sub_category_id=9&int_catalog_id=0
This program will be delivered virtually via Zoom. Cost: $395.00
Conflict is natural within the workplace and a predictable part of working with others. Yet unresolved conflict negatively affects morale, motivation, communication, attitudes and productivity. Conflict when handled appropriately can be an asset that can resolve differences and lead to positive, cooperative solutions to the challenges we face. In this program, you will learn how to minimize the negative aspect of difficult situations and turn conflict into a positive outcome. You will complete a conflict management assessment tool to help identify your preferred methods of handling conflict. You will also identify an actual conflict situation and use the skills you learn to resolve it.
4. Competency: Customer Service
Course - Dealing with Difficult Behaviors
Thursday, June 5, 2025 and Friday, June 6, 2025
Link:
https://kentstate.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=39019&int_category_id=2&int_sub_category_id=9&int_catalog_id=0
This program will be delivered virtually via Zoom. Cost: $395.00
One of the greatest causes of workplace stress is dealing with “problem” people: customers, co-workers, employees, or managers. Most people’s reaction is to “fight fire with fire,” escalating an already tense situation.
Using self-assessments, strategy planning exercises and skill building activities, participants will learn to:
• Assess and control reactions to difficult behaviors
• Determine which behaviors to address, which to ignore
• Effectively confront inappropriate behaviors
• Redirect explosive conversations to a more productive, solution-focused interaction
• Respond neutrally to emotionally charged messages
(OR)
Course - Exceptional Service for All Generations
Thursday, July 10, 2025 and Friday, July 11, 2025
Link:
https://kentstate.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=39020&int_category_id=0&int_sub_category_id=0&int_catalog_id=0
This program will be delivered virtually via Zoom. Cost: $395.00
Do you interact with several generations of internal and external customers? Have you noticed how the expectations of one generation differ from another? Do you have Baby Boomer customers who are upset by service providers who are fast, but fail to establish a warm relationship with them? Are your customer service professionals often dismayed by customer reactions when they believe they just gave exceptional service? This highly engaging program is presented by the facilitator in the costume and language style of each generation, providing a unique learning experience. The facilitator will explain the reasons for generational differences in defining good customer service. Participants will discuss potential necessary changes by employees and in organizational policy that will lead to enhancing exceptional customer service to various generations.
5. Competency: Coaching and Accountability
Course - Coaching Accountability for Impact on People and Results
Thursday, August 7, 2025 and Friday, August 8, 2025
Link:
https://kentstate.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=39021&int_category_id=2&int_sub_category_id=3&int_catalog_id=0
This program will be delivered via Zoom. Cost: $395.00
In today’s empowered team environment, managers must encourage accountability for innovation, creative problem solving and effective performance. Through demonstrations, self-analysis and discussion, you will learn skills and develop an action plan to deal with one of the most challenging employee mindsets: the resistor to change. Discussion will focus on:
• identifying behaviors which avoid accountability
• identifying traits of accountable people
• encouraging even good performers to become more accountable
• understanding what traits of the “victim” cannot be changed through coaching
• utilizing strategies for overcoming resistance to change or to taking responsibility
• developing specific action/performance plans for coaching each of your resistors
6. OWA’s Overview and History of the Public Workforce System
REGISTER FOR ONE SESSION:
March 31, 2025 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3iu2l99JTD6bVtyQRRhXhQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Cost: Free
OR
June 3, 2025 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ieQhHlsKR_2kwCYJbDDxQQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Cost: Free