Workforce Development & Work-Based Learning

The Office of Workforce Development & Work-Based Learning is committed to developing an employer's greatest asset—their employees—and contributes to the economic success of area businesses, industries and private sector organizations by providing affordable and convenient professional development opportunities. The department offers an array of services that are invaluable to economic success and that provide training that can help you manage people and projects and provide professional advancement. The results are increased productivity, higher employee retention and greater profitability. Employers call this a good investment. We call it maximizing potential.

Explore interesting articles and additional information in our Workforce Development & Work-Based Learning newsletter. Click on the cover image to view the digital publication or click here for a downloadable PDF.

Fall 2022 SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP Certification Review Course
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Browse the topics below to learn more about the types of training and services offered by the Center for Workforce Development & Education.

National Testing Network (NTN)

The National Testing Network (NTN) contracts with public safety departments to test candidates for potential jobs. Edison State Community College offers the NTN written exams. Candidates will register for and schedule the exam online (button below), selecting the job and department of their choosing and Edison State Community College as their testing location.

Register for NTN

Customized Training

Whether your focus is on reducing downtime or improving productivity, you want to make sure that the time you and your employees spend on training initiatives pays off. Studies have shown that companies that invest more heavily in training and development are more successful and profitable. The trick is finding the programs that fit your needs—at a time, place and price that works for you. We can make your investment in training pay off by offering customized training on a contracted basis. Tell us the specific needs of your organization and we will create a tailor-made training program—at your site or ours—to meet your needs. 

Not exactly sure what training your employees need?  We can conduct a free assessment that will help you identify what training and courses would best fit the needs of your employees and your organization. Contact Brandi Olberding at 937.381.1583 for an initial consultation to discuss your specific interests and needs.

Consulting Services

Are you interested in improving or modifying you business processes but are not sure where to start? We can provide the expertise to guide you through these improvements and modifications. We offer consulting in several areas to help you and your organization improve the systems and practices that impact your bottom line. From setting up databases to identifying improvements to your work processes, we are here to help. 

Interested in a free preliminary consultation?  Contact Brandi Olberding at 937.381.1583 for a free preliminary consultation to discuss your specific needs.

Employee Development

Is employee turnover higher than you would like?  The number one reason employees provide when asked why they left their job is their immediate leader or supervisor. The workforce of today and tomorrow not only need higher technological skills, they also need greater interpersonal skills. Often employees are promoted into leadership or supervision positions without learning how to lead or supervise. The result is increased turnover and reduced productivity. We offer a variety of training courses that can help develop your employees in their current positions as well as prepare them for leadership. Courses are offered as open enrollment sessions or we can customize the course to meet the specific needs of your organization.

What's new this summer?  Click below to view our Fall 2022 Course Listing.

Course Listing

Technical Training

The need for advanced technical skills for today's industrial employee will only continue to increase. By providing progressive programs, from basic electrical and mechanical to automation and robotics, we can enhance and improve your employees' technical skills. That means greater profitability for your organization.We offer a wide variety of training to meet the technical demands of industry, including

We also offer tailor-made, customized training in any of the above areas, delivered at your place or ours, at the days and times that work best for you. Our instructors have real-world industry experience and stay on top of the latest developments in their field.

What's new this summer? Click below to view our Fall 2022 Course Listing.

Course Listing

Office Productivity

Would you like to increase your productivity or efficiency?  Learning new skills or updating current ones is a constant challenge for every employee. Just when you feel you have mastered the latest updates on your software, there are changes and adaptations to learn. We can customize training to meet the specific needs of your organization, at times and dates convenient to you. We have computer labs to accommodate training several people at once, or we can train on-site at your facility. We also offer consulting in Oracle, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Microsoft Project. Our online, short-term programs are perfect for companies who have just a few employees who need training. But whether you have many employees who need computer training or just one, our online programs are a convenient way to learn new skills or enhance existing skills.

Courses begin every month. Click below to browse our Online Course Catalog and to register.

Course Catalog

Professional Development

Are you a professional seeking to advance your skills?  We offer courses designed to enhance your career and the skills you bring to your profession. Whether you are a professional seeking certification in your field, are already certified and need re-certification credits or are someone who wants to enhance your existing skill set—we have a class for you. The following courses, in addition to being offered periodically as open enrollment courses, can also be delivered at a time and place convenient to you and your organization. Courses may also be customized to fit your organization's specific needs.

Online Courses with

In partnership with ed2go, we offer online enrollment programs designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional level positions for many in-demand occupations—including Business, Management, Computer Technology Career Training & Development and more. This is the perfect way to stay ahead of the growing needs of any business professional.

Learn new skills in just six weeks!  Select from a wide range of highly interactive online courses that are only six weeks in length and begin every month. All are led by expert instructors, many of whom are nationally known authors. The courses are affordable, fun, fast, convenient and geared just for you. Click here to begin. 

Prepare for a new career!  Our online career training programs prepare you for employment in some of today's hottest careers with comprehensive, affordable and self-paced online certificate programs. Begin any time and learn at your own pace. Upon successful completion of all required coursework, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. Click here to begin.