CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Parkland College will use part of a statewide grant to provide soft-skills workplace training to community members, businesses, and organizations who live in Parkland’s District 505. The program also aims to support success of small and minority-owned businesses and nonprofits.

Parkland’s Community Education department plans to launch a six-session workshop series, the Essential Workplace Skills Program (EWS), in October. This program is possible due to a $100,000 Noncredit Workforce Training Grant from the Illinois Community College Board.

The EWS Program is designed to help people develop vital skills for today’s workplace:

  • Professionalism
  • Effective communication
  • Critical thinking
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion sensitivity
  • Navigating challenges and stressors
  • Customer service

The six sessions can be taken individually or as a series. Sessions will run from 9 a.m. – noon at Parkland College Community Education.  Discounts are available for the workshops, which cost $60 each:

  • Practicing Professionalism at Work: October 18
  • Communicating Effectively: November 20
  • Thinking Critically at Work: December 13
  • Navigating Challenges and Stressors: January 15
  • Understanding Customer Service Essentials: February 21
  • Advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: March 12

More information is available at parkland.edu/ews.