Certainly, your organization has changed along with these economic times.

To stay current with this ever-changing world, you must ask questions such as:

How do you approach restructuring strategically so that your current workforce remains positive and productive and focuses on the future?

How do you promote trust with your customers?

How do you build a genuine and open environment in a climate of trust?

SDSU’s College of Extended Studies will help answer these questions – and others – during a "How to Rebuild Trust after Downsizing" training & development exchange Friday, December 11, 8:30-10:30 am , in the SDSU Extended Studies Center .

This workshop will help you create a strategy for (re-)building trust in your organization, as well as help you define important questions you must ask and steps you must take to ensure that employees and customers can have confidence in the organization and where it is headed.

 Key takeaways will include learning how trust is a strategic issue in an organization by:

Analyzing behaviors that impact the workplace and cause lack of trust

Learning how to establish a common language to address issues precipitated by downsizing

Identifying personal strategies and methods to increase trust in your organization

Evaluating how trust impacts customer reactions and ultimately results

Presenters include:

Cynthia Olmstead, the CEO of TrustWorks Group, Inc., who has more than 30 years of organizational development and training experience. She helped develop TrustWorks to assist leaders and teams by teaching them proactive ways to manage conflict, improve communications skills – and ultimately build a culture of trust.

Rose Avila, Ph.D., RMA Consulting, who has more than 20 years of experience and success in helping people become top performers and achieve quality results. Her clients work in all sizes of businesses in a cross section of industries, from start-ups to billion dollar corporations, as well as public and private companies and non-profits and municipalities.

For more information, call (619) 594-1138, email traindeve-CES@sdsu.edu or visit www.neverstoplearning.net/TD

It’s a great way to spend Friday morning!

Carl Winston, director of SDSU’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, says he has seen a dramatic shift in the way college students are now approaching the job market.

“What I’m seeing and hearing is a profound change,” Winston said. “They have lived through the Great Recession of the past 18 months. You are seeing 20 year olds wanting to get their foot in the door. They are looking for job security and working their way up the ladder.”

Winston is among three SDSU career services and recruitment experts who will comprise the panel at the “Generation Y: Key to Your HR Strategic Solution” Training & Development Exchange through SDSU’s Extended Studies on Friday, Nov. 13, 8:30-10:30 am at the Extended Studies Center .

He will be joined by James J. Tarbox, Ph.D., director of SDSU Career Services; and Bryan Lubic, manager of Aztec Business Alliance, SDSU College of Business Administration.

This interactive conversation will delve into issues such as:

Who is Gen Y?

What are their primary motivators?

How do they define success?

What are they looking for in a job?

What’s the forecast for Gen Y in the workplace?

Will they stay? Why and why not?

How do they define success?

How do we define success?

How can we attract and retain?

Tarbox says SDSU has many attendees who are first-generation college students and that they do not all have Baby Boomers for parents, despite such an assumption from the general public. He adds that as millennials, current students have been brought up to compete and be recognized for their accomplishments.

With job opportunities receding over the past 18 months, there are a lot fewer opportunities for students to enter the workforce upon graduating. Even so, there are still a large number of recruiters on campus whenever student job fairs take place.

“The good news is that they are still coming to campus,” Tarbox says of the recruiters. “The bad news is that there are not as many jobs. It’s much more challenging for students. They have to be a lot more proactive.”

Lubic says the Training & Development Exchange will address such questions as whether there really is a Generation Y and if such young adults truly are a generation of entitlement. In addition, the SDSU panel will provide its observations of college students to the HR professionals in attendance.

“We hope to help participants flush out ideas, increase their knowledge, and learn how to help their own divisions be more effective within the workforce,” Lubic says.

For more information, call (619) 594-1138 or visit the Web site.

We all are aware that the world has changed dramatically in the past decade. The world of work has certainly changed with it.

Casual Fridays have taken on a different meaning. Ditto for the incredibly complex global, linked networks we operate with today. From the simple to the complicated, change is the constant.

Don’t expect the rate of change to slow down any time soon. In fact, today is probably the least amount of change you are ever going to face.

Come discover the most significant forces at play in our world of work today when SDSU’s College of Extended Studies presents “More Than a Minute: Being an Effective Leader and Manager in Today’s Changing World,” Friday, October 16 from 8:30-10:30 am .

Key takeaways will include:

-- Determining and defining where your company is going

-- Engaging employees in traveling there with you 

-- Setting expectations and clarifying excellence so you do it right and don’t have to do it over

-- Staying focused on the “right” things so all the noise does not distract you

Presenter Holly Green is the CEO of The Human Factor, Inc. She has more than 20 years of executive level and operations experience in Fortune 100, entrepreneurial, and management consulting organizations. She was previously president of The Ken Blanchard Companies, a global consulting and training organization as well as LumMed, Inc., a biotech start up.

In addition, she has a broad background in strategic planning, leadership, and management assessment and development. She is an author of a top selling book, “More Than A Minute: How To Be An Effective Leader & Manager In Today’s Changing World.”

For more information, call (619) 594-1138, email traindeve-CES@sdsu.edu or visit www.neverstoplearning.net/TD.

With so many Hispanics seeking to get into the job market or improve their employment status, learning and perfecting the English language serves as a pivotal force for individuals attempting to secure a competitive edge in the workplace.

San Diego State University ’s College of Extended Studies offers extensive “Workplace English” programs than can help these individuals learn to speak English more fluently and enhance their status in the workforce. Specific companies that have benefited from this training recently in San Diego County include Pfizer, Inc. and Sempra Energy.

All course content is custom-designed for businesses, making it the most cost effective solution on the market for those desiring to learn English. These programs are taught by experts from the SDSU College of Extended Studies American Language Institute, which has been teaching English skills on a global scale for 35 years. The programs can be conducted at SDSU or on-site at a specific company.

For more information on the Workplace English programs, please call (619) 594-5907 or visit www.neverstoplearning.net/pdplanguage.html

This is a SDSU Research Foundation program.

“With so many people seeking employment in our current economic times, it is imperative that they receive the necessary training to secure a job, keep their current job,  or increase their options for promotion,” said Joe Shapiro, dean of SDSU’s College of Extended Studies. “This grant enables them to better position themselves for a great career in allied health care.”

Funding for the grant has been made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Its intent is to preserve and create jobs, foster and promote the nation’s economic recovery, and assist those most impacted by the current recession.

The grant for the allied health care education program is available to adults age 18 or older who are unemployed or have been unable to obtain jobs through core services and to those who are employed but need additional training services to reach self-sufficiency. To find out if you are eligible for the grant, you must first visit one of the San Diego County One-Stop Career Centers to gain approval for entrance into the program. For more information on the One-Stop Career Centers, visit the San Diego Workforce Partnership’s web site at www.sandiegoatwork.com. If you are already registered with a career center and are waiting for funding, you can come directly to SDSU to sign up for a health care course.

This Allied Health Care Education and Career Readiness program is a short-term (12- to 24-week) program that prepares eligible adults for careers in four allied health fields: radiography, pharmacy, medical administration, and dental health. Approved courses offered by SDSU’s College of Extended Studies include: EKG Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Billing and Coding, Medical Billing and Coding and Medical Terminology, Medical Transcription and Medical Terminology, Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, and Administrative Dental Assistant. All approved courses include free parking and course material.

According to the California Economic Development Division, healthcare jobs are one of only two job categories to show year-over-year growth during the current recession. It’s estimated that in the next five years, California will need an additional 206,000 healthcare workers. The majority of this growth is predicted to be in allied health careers, which already comprise more than 60 percent of the health care workforce.

Businesses look to the Workforce Partnership for skilled employees, expertise in job training and supportive services. Job seekers, both adult and youth, look to Workforce Partnership for referral to and placement in high quality jobs, education, and training programs.

SDSU’s College of Extended Studies will reveal some of the key resources available when it presents San Diego Workforce Partnership Works for You: Low Cost and Free Resources For Your Organization on T hursday, September 24, 8:30-10:30 am , in the SDSU Extended Studies Center 
The goal of this interactive presentation will be to provide the business community with knowledge of the San Diego Workforce Partnership. This seminar will address information about training dollars available to businesses, tax credit resources, talent exchange, and future needs of employers.

Following the presentation, a Q&A session will be conducted with the main focus to include:

-          What do businesses want from their local Workforce Investment Board?

-          If businesses do not utilize the services of the San Diego Workforce Partnership then where do they turn?

-          How does Workforce Partnership provide resources that are meaningful?

There are two presenters:

Chuck Flacks is director of research and policy for the San Diego Workforce Partnership and oversees a team specializing in bringing labor market information and workforce development policy to employers, job seekers, community organizations, career counselors, and decision makers. He has worked with for-profit market research companies, non-profit housing and community development companies, and elected California state officials.

Jessica Mosier is a program specialist for the San Diego Workforce Partnership who has more than nine years experience in case management, oversight of contracts, and administration of state and federal employment and training programs. She is a member of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals and a Certified Global Career Development Facilitator.

For more information, call (619) 594-1138 or visit www.neverstoplearning.net/tde.html     

Hope to see you there!

San Diego State University ’s College of Extended Studies will offer two new online green industry certificate programs during the spring semester.

 The City of San Diego and Biomatrica are sponsors of the new online certificate programs in Renewable Energy and Green Energy Management and Green Building Construction.

 Students in these programs will learn how to secure their competitive position in the industry while studying in an online environment available to them 24/7 that is taught by industry experts.

 Following is the spring schedule:

 Online Professional Certificate in Renewable Energy and Green Energy Management

Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) for Green Buildings, Feb.  9-April  12

Solar Energy Conversion, Feb.  9-April  12

  Online Professional Certificate in Green Building Construction

Building Green Buildings - The Contractor's Perspective, Jan.  20-March  28 or April  13-June  20

Building Information Modeling (BIM) with an Emphasis on Green Construction, Jan.  20-March  28 or April  13-June  20

Construction Materials and Processes, Jan. 20-March 29 or April 13-June 21

Fundamentals of Green Building Design and Construction, Jan.  20-March  28 or April  13-June  20

LEED for New Construction - Applying the Guidelines, Jan.  20-March  28 or April  13-June  20

  For more information, call (619) 594-3946, email wevers@mail.sdsu.edu or visit www.neverstoplearning.net

The seminar will revolve around simple and easy tools to help HR departments become more green and effective.

Fee for the seminar is $35. For more information, call (619) 594-1138, email ksaia@projects.sdsu.edu or visit www.ces.sdsu.edu/tde.html

This is a SDSU Research Foundation program.

You can enroll in courses (on a space available basis) through the SDSU College of Extended Studies Open University program.

Maybe you’d like to do this to finish a degree, for career advancement, or for personal enrichment.

For more details or to receive a free information packet for more information about Open University, call (619) 265-SDSU or visit www.neverstoplearning.net/open.asp. Certain restrictions apply.

Classes start January 22.

Prospective students will be able to discover career opportunities and learn more about the College’s meeting and event planning curriculum. Professionals in the field will share their first-hand experience and knowledge during the open house.

For more information on the open house and the meeting and event planning certificate program, please call (619) 594-2517, email rbrown2@mail.sdsu.edu or visit www.ces.sdsu.edu/meeting.html

Al Russo, founder and president of Renova Health Trends, will explore how employers can mitigate rising healthcare costs.

“Many employers take the approach of cutting benefits, shifting more of the costs onto their employees, or both in order to reduce costs,” Russo said. “Numerous studies have shown that this approach actually leads to less healthy employees, higher absenteeism, and ultimately much higher costs for employers. In contrast, by taking a positive, preventative approach to the health of their employees, employers will actually save money year after year while increasing benefits and improving productivity.”

For more information on attending this seminar, call (619) 594-1138 or visit www.neverstoplearning.net/TD

Sounds like a great way to spend Friday morning!

These are among the choices in the spring 2009 catalog for San Diego State University ’s College of Extended Studies , which is now available at your request.

If you would like to receive a free College of Extended Studies catalog, call (619) 265-SDSU (7378) or visit www.neverstoplearning.net.

The catalog lists courses in extension, self-improvement, and career enhancing business-related courses.

In addition to normal offerings such as business, computers, foreign languages and art courses (among others), San Diego residents can also sign up for regular SDSU courses through the Open University program. This program allows individuals to enroll in courses - on a space available basis - without being formally admitted to the university.

The catalog also contains professional development courses and information about more than 35 professional certificate programs, which are designed to improve professional skills or prepare participants for a new career. Also offered are courses in management, business writing, leadership, and other areas of business.

New programs offered this spring include Professional Certificate in Renewable Energy and Green Energy Management Online; Professional Certificate in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt; Leading Strategically: Critical Skills for Effective Leadership During Challenging Times; Health Care Career Programs; Online Health Care Courses; Sensory of Wine – Aroma and Palate; and Understanding Coffee: From  Bean to Cup.

 How would you like to travel the world and teach English abroad?

The amTEFL (Americans Teaching English as a Foreign Language) program can take you wherever you want to teach English globally.

More than 100 graduates have taught English in 40 countries through this program of the SDSU College of Extended Studies American Language Institute.

You could be next!

This 140-hour, graduate-level certificate program prepares novice instructors to successfully live and teach English overseas.The four-week program combines a solid teaching foundation with hands-on practical classroom experience and includes a job placement assistance program.

The next amTEFL certificate session runs Jan. 20-Feb. 13.

For more information, call (619) 594-5907 or visit www.neverstoplearning.net.

This is a SDSU Research Foundation Program.  

See you overseas!

How can they do so?

Find out at the Training & Development session “Counter-Culture Shift in Wellness and the HR Professional’s Role” presented by SDSU’s College of Extended Studies on Friday, Dec. 12 from 8:30-10:30 am.

Al Russo, founder and president of Renova Health Trends, will explore how “by taking a positive, preventative approach to the health of their employees, employers will actually save money year-over-year while increasing benefits and improving productivity.”  

Topics include:

Components for a successful wellness effort

Cost-saving buy-in with upper management

Formulating a strategic plan for return on investment tools and documentation

Common pitfalls and frequently asked questions

Russo, C.V.T., D.M.S., established Cardio Health Screen in response to rising health care costs that impact your company’s bottom line. He also co-authored an early model for the chickenpox vaccine in 1994.

With more than 10 years experience as a cardiovascular technologist, he possesses an extensive education in cardiovascular health, nutrition, and exercise. He utilizes the latest scientifically-proven technology in determining the first-line health risk assessment before symptoms or serious illness result in loss of work time, productivity, and/or quality of life.

For more information, call (619) 594-1138 or visit www.neverstoplearning.net/TD

Sounds like a great way to spend Friday morning!

Then plan to attend the SDSU Writers’ Conference hosted by SDSU's College of Extended Studies!

The 25th annual SDSU Writers’ Conference is set for February 6-8 at Mission Valley ’s Doubletree Hotel. This is your opportunity to learn from award-winning faculty, and even meet individually with editors and agents.

Mary Castillo attended the conference and has had five books published since. Marjorie Hart became a Los Angeles Times bestseller for her book “Summer at Tiffany” after going to the conference.

You could be next!

To register or for more information, call (619) 594-2517 or visit www.ces.sdsu.edu/writers