6296GuideF19_Final.qxp_Guide 6/19/19 11:26 AM Page 32
Developing employees THROUGH customized training programs Whether we are designing and delivering the content ourselves or collaborating with partners and other departments, the University of Delaware’s Division of Professional and Continuing Studies (UD PCS) is committed to helping businesses in our community, region and beyond succeed. Realizing a one-size-fitsall approach is not practical or effective, and what worked for one company may not work for another, UD’s customized training programs truly are individually tailored to meet each organization’s needs. Utilizing the advanced expertise and experience of University of Delaware faculty and external subject matter experts to provide exceptional learning opportunities for your team, we can develop customized training for all industries and groups of any size and present it on-site, on campus or online. Instead of just taking our word for it, read how five businesses have recently benefited from our customized training. For more information, visit pcs.udel.edu/customized.
LOCATION: On-site at Chesapeake Utilities
PARTICIPANTS: 14 managers representing Grain’s three locations
SCHEDULE: Quarterly sessions over one year
LOCATION: UD Newark campus
KEY TOPICS: Motivating employees, coaching, analyzing performance problems, handling difficult situations, leading versus managing
SCHEDULE: Six consecutive weekly sessions
Wanting to better develop its employees as the company grows, Chesapeake Utilities determined that the University of Delaware presented the proposal that best matched up with what it was trying to accomplish. Shane Breakie, Chesapeake Utilities assistant vice president, said his organization was especially impressed with the flexibility offered by UD to develop customized training modules for the managers and supervisors. Working closely with several Chesapeake senior managers, UD’s corporate education consultant devised contextual lessons that addressed key challenges. Training commenced with each participant completing an introspective Emotional Quotient Inventory assessment that played a pivotal role in devising the subsequent topics.
Grain’s co-proprietors, Lee Mikles and Jim O’Donoghue, were not satisfied with the options they were being presented with in their quest to find educational programming for their managers. Everything they looked at prior to meeting with UD was “off the shelf” and only partly offered what they were looking for. In preparation for their customized training program, UD PCS’ Manager of Customized Learning Vic Wang visited all three of Grain’s establishments and shadowed the employees to gain a fundamental understanding of Grain’s corporate culture. The training has led to an increased emphasis on “the Grain way,” which Mikles said includes how they want to conduct business, how they want to be treated, and how they want to treat people.
PARTICIPANTS: 30 managers and supervisors
KEY TOPICS: Bullying, emotional intelligence, managing peers
