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Training & Professional Development

HRO 128 is a Human Resources Policy, strongly encouraging every employee at the University of Tennessee to complete a minimum of 32 hours of job- and career-related training per calendar year. HRO 128 applies to exempt and non-exempt employees, regular, full and part time. Training for part-time employees may be prorated. With supervisor's approval, classes both within and outside the university, conferences and seminars will count toward your 32 hours. View HRO 128 FAQs.

How do I request credit for training? Complete this form and send to Human Resources for entry in IRIS.

How do I view my training history in IRIS? Within your department, the departmental specialist, who should have access to IRIS, may retrieve your training history. Read MORE...

Are you in the Training Hall of Fame?

Training Opportunities for February 2012  new


Certifications

The Office of Human Resources offers certifications in the following areas:

  • Communication Certification
    This certification is for staff members who are interested in communication skills training. Focusing on both oral and written communication, the course offerings build a solid foundation for productive teamwork and essential communication skills.
  • Customer Service Certification
    Employees who are interested in advancing their skills in customer service may obtain this certification, which is geared towards the needs of employees who serve in administrative support roles and management positions.
  • ModelNetics
    Model-Netics presents a broad range of organizational and managerial concepts through models which function as guides to individual thought and action.  Understanding and use of the models enables participants to effectively leverage knowledge gained from the program with past experience to improve communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
  • Seven Habits for Managers  new
    Coming Soon!

Classes / On-Line Courses

  • Alzheimer's Support Group Meetings
    Support and encouragement from others in similar situations.
  • Computer Based Training
    An interactive method of learning that provides a series of self-paced, hands-on, web-based courses.
  • EAP Seminars new
    Resources to help you live a healthy and happy life, at work and at home.
  • Financial Wellness new
    Monthly classes are offered about practical financial concepts. 
  • IRIS Training
    Business software package used by the University for accounting, purchasing, budgeting, and human resources functions.
  • Microsoft E-Learning
    Access E-Learning courses online to help you keep up-to-date with the latest major software releases.
  • Supervisory Classes
    Resources for managers, directors, and department heads in performing their jobs.

 

Alzheimer's Support Group Meetings

The stress of serving as caretaker or advocate for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia is often overwhelming. The UTC Office of Human Resources acknowledges the importance of relieving that stress so that employees can work more effectively. 

An established UTC Alzheimer’s Support Group Brown-Bag Lunch is a great way to lift some of the weight off your shoulders by telling your story, seeking suggestions, and enjoying the encouragement of others who have shared experiences. The group meets each month during the academic year. If you need more information or you have any questions, please email Maria Derrick.

Join us in the Walden Ridge Room in the UTC University Center from noon - 1 pm on December 13, 2011; January 11; February 8; March 14; April 11; May 9; June 13, 2012.

Communication Certification

The Office of Human Resources in collaboration with the UT Employee & Organizational Development offers a Communication Certification for staff members who are interested in communication skills training. Focusing on both oral and written communication, the course offerings build a solid foundation for productive teamwork and essential communication skills.

There is no cost and no time limit for completing the certification.  The certification requires completion of 11 classes, totaling 32 hours of training. On-site and Videoconference classes, requiring registration:

  • Introduction to Communication, Feb 8 @ 1 - 3:00 pm, Fortwood Room, University Center
    This two-hour course introduces participants to the Communication Certification. Participants will discuss and apply a communications model, understand why communication is important at work, and assess their own speaking and writing skills.
  • Myers-Briggs, May 10 @ 1 - 4:00 pm, Signal Mountain Room, University Center
    Join us for one of the most popular courses offered at businesses, organizations, and universities worldwide!  The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a research based assessment that helps individuals and teams understand how they perceive information, communicate, and structure their lives.  The MBTI measures preferences and has no right or wrong answers.  If you are interested in insight into self and others, you don’t want to miss this class!
  • Making Meetings Work, June 20 @ 1 - 4:00 pm, Signal Mountain Room, University Center
    Effective facilitation is key to being an effective supervisor. Leading meetings requires detailed planning and knowledge in order to be most efficient. This program will also stress the importance of cooperation by all meeting members, including facilitators and attendees. Participants in this program will engage in exercises that will help develop facilitation skills and techniques to outmaneuver meeting stoppers.
  • Communicate Like you Mean It: Developing Assertiveness, October 2 @ 9 - noon, Lookout Mountain Room
    Stand up and speak out! Learn how to communicate confidently with co-workers and state what you mean clearly. No longer will you be second-guessed or questioned. Be certain your message gets across, and register for this class.
  • Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace, October 24 @ 9 - noon, Lookout Mountain Room
    What percentage of communication is the spoken word? 10%, 30%, 50%? You may be surprised how important your non-verbal cues are when communicating. A majority of communication is non-verbal including posture, eye movement, hand gestures, and many others. Learn how to control your non-verbal communication and to interpret what others are saying with theirs.

Some classes are available through Computer Based Training (CBT).

  • Business Writing: How to Write Clearly and Concisely (e-sub for Punctuation Basics)
  • Business Grammar Basics: Parts of Speech; Working with Words; Mechanics of Writing; Punctuation; Sentence Construction; Common Usage Errors) (e-sub for Writing Effectively)
  • Facilitating Meetings and Work Groups (e-sub for Making Meetings Work)
  • Interpersonal Communication: Communicating Assertively (e-sub for Communicate like you Mean It)
  • Presenting Successfully (e-sub for Effective Presentation Skills)
  • Working with Difficult People: Identifying Difficult People (e-sub for Working Effectively with Difficult People)

To receive credit for courses taken through CBT, print a certificate of completion and submit along with a Request for Additional Credit to Melanie Sadler, Human Resources, Dept 3603.

Computer Based Training

The University has access to a broad range of training resources through Computer Based Training (CBT) which is readily accessible and free of charge to all UTC faculty and staff, using your Net ID/password. CBT is an interactive method of learning that provides a series of self-paced, hands-on, web-based courses. Managerial and Supervisory curricula contain courses for Business Skills, Human Resources, and Workplace Compliance. Some of these courses include Communication, Diversity, Leadership, and Team Building. To receive credit for courses taken through CBT, print a certificate of completion and submit along with a Request for Additional Credit to Melanie Sadler, Human Resources, Dept 3603.

Customer Service Certification

The Office of Human Resources in collaboration with the UT Employee & Organizational Development offers a Customer Service Certification is for employees interested in advancing their skills in customer service. The certification is geared towards the needs of employees who serve in administrative support roles and management positions. The purpose of this new certification is to provide training in service-related topics such as, establishing departmental standards; using technology for top-quality customer service; developing a positive, professional image; enhancing customer service relationships; creating satisfaction surveys, and more.

There is no cost and no time limit for completing the certification. The certification requires completion of 11 classes, totaling 32 hours of training. Classes do not need to be taken in the order listed below. On-site and Videoconference classes, requiring registration:

  • Fostering Relationships: Many Faces of Customer Service, March 6 @ 9:30-12:30, Fletcher 205
    Customer connections come in all forms with various needs and expectations. This course will focus on diverse partnerships in customer service, including customers who represent your department, have diverse needs, or coordinate tasks with you as the service provider. Additional areas of focus include mindfulness in multicultural customer service and understanding generational variances in delivering effective customer service.
  • Customer Service 101, April 18 @ 9:30-12:30, Fletcher 205
    Welcome to the Customer Service Certification! This session will identify how all employees contribute to customer service regardless of the positions they hold. Participants will assess their customer service levels and review the “Fantastic Service Equation.”
  • Your Forgotten Customers: Internal Customer Service, September 6 @ 9:30-12:30, Fletcher 205
    Customers are found beyond and within the walls of your department or organization.  Considering the needs and requests of fellow colleagues helps to accomplish our overall mission and strengthen customer service practices within and beyond the scope of the department.  This session explores intra-departmental customer service, highlighting best practices for mutually beneficial habits with peers.
  • Projecting a Positive Image, September 25 @ 9 - noon, Lookout Mountain Room, University Center
    The frontline is often the first or only glimpse of an organization that a customer might receive. Maintaining positive lasting relationships with customers is essential for the success of any organization. That responsibility lies in hands of those serving on the frontline. This course will look at the risks and rewards related to frontline customer service. We will also discuss tools for projecting a positive image and representing an organization with pride.
  • Your Forgotten Customers: Internal Customer Service, October 24 @ 1 - 4 pm, Lookout Mountain Room
    Customers are found beyond and within the walls of your department or organization.  Considering the needs and requests of fellow colleagues helps to accomplish our overall mission and strengthen customer service practices within and beyond the scope of the department.  This session explores intra-departmental customer service, highlighting best practices for mutually beneficial habits with peers.

All classes, with the exception of Customer Service 101, may be completed through Computer Based Training (CBT).

  • Customer Service Processes and Procedures (e-sub for Setting Top Quality Customer Service Standards)
  • Customer Interactions (e-sub for Fostering Relationships: The Many Faces of Customer Service)
  • The Customer Service Representative (e-sub for Keeping Good Customer Relations: The Royal Treatment)
  • Excellence in Internal Customer Service (e-sub for Your Forgotten Customers: Internal Customer Service)
  • Conflict, Stress, and Time Management (e-sub for Every Customer is an Opportunity)
  • Support Center Tools, Technologies, and Metrics (e-sub for Enhancing Customer Service with Technology)
  • Customer Service Fundamentals: Building Rapport in Customer Relationships (e-sub for Fundamentals of Outstanding Customer Service)
  • Professional Skills for Customer Service Agents (e-sub for Projecting a Positive Image: Customer Service on the Frontline)
  • Managing Challenges in Customer Service (e-sub for Rebounding from Challenging Customer Service Situations)
  • Using Surveys to Measure Customer Satisfaction (e-sub for Satisfaction Guaranteed: Implementing Customer Feedback)

To receive credit for courses taken through CBT, print a certificate of completion and submit along with a Request for Additional Credit to Melanie Sadler, Human Resources, Dept 3603.

EAP Seminars

The Employee Assistance Program offers a variety of seminars throughout the year. Registrations should be made online through the state EAP website.

  • Money Basics: Spending, Borrowing, and Saving It, February 22 @ 10-11:30, Ocoee Room, University Ctr Put your money to work for you. In this training participants learn tools and resources to assist them in developing and adhering to a budget; building a saving account; and managing debt.
  • Addressing Negative or Difficult Relationships, April 26 @ 10 - 11:30, Signal Mtn Room, University Ctr
    We all have to deal with that one person or thing that rubs us the wrong way. There is no magic spell for transforming a negative or difficult person or situation. There are, however, some strategies that are explored in this training to help make your relationship with that individual less stressful.
  • Relaxation Techniques for Mind Body Wellness, July 24 @ 10 - 11:30, Signal Mtn Room, University Ctr
    Stress can be a tremendous detriment to our mind-body wellness. Understanding the importance of keeping ourselves in a relatively calm state in order to lower our stress level are all part of this very relaxing workshop. Stress management techniques including relaxation exercises will be demonstrated and practiced throughout the workshop.
  • Healthier Holidays: Emotionally, Physically, and Financially, Nov 1 @ 10 - 11:30, Signal Mtn Room
    In an effort to have healthier holidays emotionally, physically and financially, this course will address how to handle stress, relationships, finances, eating and drinking during the holidays and give you an opportunity to create a plan for yourself.

The Employee Assistance Program offers Supervisory Training throughout the year. Supervisors will learn how to access Workplace Support Services – Magellan’s consulting and coaching resource for managers who suspect that an employee’s personal problem may be one reason for an observed decline in work performance. Participants will practice a process of “constructive confrontation” to help encourage a safe and productive work environment. Registrations should be made online through the state EAP website.

  • February 22 @ 1 - 3 pm, Ocoee Room, University Center
  • April 26 @ 1 - 3 pm, Signal Mtn Room, University Center
  • July 24 @ 1 - 3 pm, Signal Mtn Room, University Center
  • Nov 1 @ 1 - 3 pm, Signal Mtn Room, University Center

Financial Wellness

One day the stock market is up, the next day it seems to be dropping off a cliff.  Whether you are about to retire or just beginning your career, keeping track of your personal finances and your retirement account can be a little nerve-wracking. The mission of the Financial Wellness campaign is to, “Promote the financial knowledge and financial wellness of the UTC community.”  Throughout the upcoming academic year, we will be offering monthly classes designed to educate our community about practical financial concepts. Classes will be held in the Ocoee Room, University Center.

Note: These classes do not qualify for HRO 128 credit.

  • Credit Union Benefits, December 14 @ noon - 1 pm
  • How to Attend College at no Cost, February 7, 2012 @ noon - 1 pm
  • 10 Tips for Financial Well-Being, March 7, 2012 @ 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
  • Consumer Credit Counseling Services, April 11 @ noon - 1 pm

IRIS Training

IRIS or Integrated R/3 Information System is a business software package used by the University for accounting, purchasing, budgeting, and human resources functions. In order to obtain an IRIS user ID/password, an employee must attend an IRIS Overview session and at least one functional module. Contact Melanie Sadler to register.

Microsoft E-Learning

As part of a new offering from Microsoft, you are eligible to access E-Learning courses online at Microsoft.com. These courses are meant to help you keep up-to-date with the latest major software releases. Enter your Net ID/password after clicking on this link, and follow the instructions to gain initial access to the Microsoft E-Learning courses or access your course at anytime.  To receive credit for courses taken through CBT, print a certificate of completion and submit along with a Request for Additional Credit to Melanie Sadler, Human Resources, Dept 3603.

ModelNetics

Model-Netics presents a broad range of organizational and managerial concepts through models which function as guides to individual thought and action.  Understanding and use of the models enables participants to effectively leverage knowledge gained from the program with past experience to improve communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and leadership skills. The program is comprehensive and organized around ten topical sessions that cover the full range of administrative responsibilities and concerns. The cost is $225 and enrollment is limited to 20 participants. Attendees will receive 40 hours training credit under UT Policy HRO 128. Contact Dan Webb or Melanie Sadler for more information or to register for classes beginning January 19, 2012.

Supervisory Classes

The Office of Human Resources in collaboration with the UT Employee & Organizational Development (EOD) offers training programs to provide various resources for managers, directors, and department heads in performing their jobs. Email Melanie Sadler to register for classes.

  • Listening Skills, February 8 @ 9 - noon, Fortwood Room, University Center
    Effective listening is a skill that can be learned. Participants in this session will identify three different listening styles and discuss ways to maximize their own listening skills. Several activities demonstrating effective listening will be used.
  • Building a Team: Teambuilding at its Best, March 20 @ 9 - noon, Lookout Mountain Room, University Center
  • Conquering Workplace Negativity, March 20 @ 1 - 4 pm, Lookout Mountain Room, University Center
    Are you challenged by a negative co-worker or stuck in a negative work environment? An office or department can overcome negativity with some attitude adjustment skills. This class will focus on the power of a positive attitude in the workplace and identify some techniques to assist with conquering workplace negativity.
  • Managing across Generations, May 8 @ 9:30-12:30, Fletcher 205
    For the first time in history, we are collaborating with four generations in the workplace.  Today’s workforce covers four diverse generations, each having unique motivations and expectations.  This course will discuss ways to effectively lead the multi-generational workforce.
  • Customer Service Skills for Supervisors, June 14 @ 9:30 - 12:30, Fletcher 205
    Customer relations’ responsibilities and processes may be clear for front-line customer service employees as they answer phones and greet customers. But what about the customer relations role of the supervisor? This course, designed for supervisors at any level, will cover topics such as:  solving customer relations problems, setting guidelines for customer service standards, and supporting front-line employees.   
  • Decision Making Skills, July 10 @ 9:30-12:30, Fletcher 205
  • Dealing with Change, September 5 @ 9 - noon, Fortwood Room, University Center
    Do you wish that everything would just get back to normal? Do you know there are proven techniques to assist you in dealing effectively with change?  This three-hour session explores these techniques, which apply to work and home, and will discuss why change management is a skill valued by organizations.
  • Emotional Intelligence, September 5 @ 1 - 4 pm, Fortwood Room, University Center
    Did you know that IQ accounts for as little as 20 percent of the difference between star performers and average employees?  With people who score equally in IQ, what distinguishes individuals who rise to the top in their professions?  This workshop will explore the remaining 80 percent called emotional intelligence.  Participants will focus on the components of this type of intelligence and how these abilities impact one’s professional and personal life effectiveness.
  • Building Conflict Management Skills, October 5 @ 9:30 - 12:30, Fletcher 205
    Conflict occurs whenever we try to get our needs met and someone or something interferes. The good news is that we can improve our ability to manage conflict.  Based on research in conflict management, the program will introduce you to different conflict management communication styles. 
  • Conquering Workplace Negativity, November 8 @ 9:30-12:30, Fletcher 205
    Are you challenged by a negative co-worker or stuck in a negative work environment? An office or department can overcome negativity with some attitude adjustment skills. This class will focus on the power of a positive attitude in the workplace and identify some techniques to assist with conquering workplace negativity.