Advance Your Skills with Valley Skills Courses

Menomonee Valley Partners & Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) are partnering to offer a variety of training opportunities to upskill current Valley employees.

Tailored skills training in a virtual classroom setting are taking place in 2022-2023 to meet the needs of Valley businesses.

All Valley employees are eligible to participate but class sizes are limited. Spring classes are all in-person classes.

previous classes included:

Management Essentials

(8 hrs) - This training provides new and aspiring first-time managers with the knowledge and skills needed to manage a departmental team. The training takes a process approach to managerial work and teaches managers how to set clear expectations; respond to conflict in the workplace; articulate achievable team/department goals; manage performance; increase productivity via process review; delegate job responsibilities; and motivate employees.

COMPUTER BASICS

(16-hrs) - This introductory course to computers requires no prior experience. Students learn basic functions, terminology, applications, and the use of the keyboard and mouse. Topics covered are the history of the computer, computer terminology, operating system, hardware components, software packages, and mouse dexterity. Students create simple documents in Microsoft Word.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

(16hrs) - This training teaches skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering open dialogue around high-stakes, emotional, or risky topics—at all levels of your organization. By learning how to speak and be heard (and encouraging others to do the same), you’ll begin to surface the best ideas, make the highest-quality decisions, and then act on your decisions with unity and commitment.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

(4 hrs) - This training addresses biases and prejudice within organizations. Effective diversity training develops an environment of inclusion and respect that generates high morale, productivity, and positively impacts company brand. Participants explore the concepts of racial identity, racism, diversity, inclusion, sensitivity, and unconscious bias in today’s modern workplace.

BEGINNING/INTERMEDIATE ELL/ESL

The Level 1 English Language Learner will read, write, listen, and speak to develop beginning literacy. Instruction will incorporate numeracy, civics, technology, workplace skills, and academic language to prepare students for ELL Level Two.

Effective Communication

(8 hrs) - This training focuses on sharing insights and approaches for fostering effective communication in the workplace. Participants will learn more effective ways to communicate with others; lead more productive discussions; create engagement and buy-in; discover the art of listening; and gain insight into how to ask empowering questions. The skills gained will also enable participants to effectively handle misunderstandings and facilitate crucial conversations, creating a more positive work environment.

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

(8 hrs) - This training provides new and aspiring first-time managers and supervisors with the knowledge and skills needed to be effective leaders in the workplace. Successful leaders are able to transform organizations, enhance value creation, create efficiencies, and engage their employees to deliver better results. Participants will identify and improve their leadership style; learn how to effectively inspire others toward a common goal; and develop skills to drive innovation and process improvement.

Employer Benefits

Businesses contribute a nominal fee of $20 per class. Classes are primarily funded by a Workforce Advancement Grant through the Wisconsin Technical College System and the Menomonee Valley Business Improvement District.
Invest in staff development and upgrade staff skillsets with robust trainings administered by MATC.
Professional development trainings are designed to meet the needs of participating Valley businesses using a cohort model. Businesses can request additional courses (see below).