Connecticut State Employee Training Program

Have you been curious about AI and perhaps even dabbled with a prompt or two? Or maybe you’ve used Grammarly to help with editing a document. Or perhaps you’ve chosen to bury your head in the sand, worrying about how it’s going to affect your job. This introductory course will provide an overview of ways you can incorporate the use of AI in the workplace for writing and productivity. We’ll use free versions of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, as our “playground” to experiment with Large Language Models. We will explore how AI can help with writing, productivity, and time management by learning the ins and outs of effective prompt engineering. By the end of this course, you will possess a toolkit of AI-driven strategies and productivity hacks, as well as a clearer understanding of how to incorporate AI into your work world.

Dates: Tuesdays, November 12 and 26 (no class November 19)
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $350

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

Are you ready to boost your productivity and innovation at work using advanced AI tools? Do you want to move from beyond-the-basic tools to truly leverage AI in your day-to-day work? This intermediate-level, hands-on AI course focuses on practical workplace applications. Participants will explore sophisticated AI-use cases across various industries and job functions, gaining insight on how these technologies can be used to transform workplace processes. Through interactive exercises and real-world demonstrations, you'll develop advanced skills in prompt engineering, discover AI-driven productivity methods, and learn to implement AI solutions responsibly. The course covers how to identify tasks suitable for AI assistance, select appropriate tools for specific challenges, and integrate them into existing workflows. We'll also delve into AI-assisted coding techniques, showing how AI can streamline software development and boost programming efficiency. By the end of this course, participants will have a comprehensive knowledge of practical AI strategies that they can apply to their own roles, enabling them to work more efficiently and stay ahead in today's AI-driven workplace landscape.

Dates: Wednesdays, January 8 and 15, 2025
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Jarod Pappas
Cost: $350

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

Ever think of the right thing to say when it's too late? Or perhaps you say nothing at all because you're worried it will come out wrong. This workshop will put the words on the tip of your tongue, showing you how to strategize and script solutions to the toughest workplace communication problems—whether in person, in a virtual meeting, or in an email. You will learn key phrases, statements, and questions that will help open
the doors to communication, as well as discover strategies to adopt and statements to avoid. This workshop will provide plenty of practice sessions so that “knowing what to say and how to say it” will become an acquired skill you can rely on. You will learn ten magical phrases, four sure-fire strategies to gain cooperation, four basic communication/personality/behavioral styles and how to adapt to each, proven techniques for handling conflict and much more.

Dates: Thursdays, January 2, 9, and 16, 2025
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

An estimated one-third to one-half of the world’s population are introverts. Are you one? Introversion is defined as a personality type where the person feels “more comfortable focusing on their inner thoughts and ideas, rather than what's happening externally. Or perhaps you’re ambivert: sometimes what restores and refreshes you is time alone or in tranquil environments, while other times you find social and high-energy situations energizing and can even relish the spotlight. This course will help participants understand the dynamics of those of us who require quiet time to do our best. We will take a deep dive into understanding how introverts and ambiverts react to new information and monitor change, what constitutes “overwhelm,” and ways to avoid overstimulation. We will also discuss IRL (In Real Life) tips and techniques that will help you navigate the challenges of communication. We will explore key practices: active listening, “un-forcing,” default language starters and transitions, preparation, and dealing with communication discomfort. Participants will leave with a toolkit of best practices to handle everyday communication as an introvert.

Dates: Wednesdays, November 13, 20, and 27
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

Communication is the key to success for anyone who is directing others. Whether you have a team of one or 1,000, knowing how to encourage, persuade, and influence others with your words is a great asset. Successful leadership entails knowing what to say and how to say it, as well as what not to say. Effective leadership communication doesn’t always have to be in inspiring speeches; it can start right here, right now, in the day-to-day practices and strategies you bring to the workplace and in the way you communicate on the everyday level, whether at a Teams meeting, across a desk or via email. In this lively and inspiring online workshop, we will take an in-depth look at how leadership ‘communication has evolved in the Covid-19 era. You will learn to develop a toolkit of communication strategies and practices that you can apply in the office or remotely–everything from developing advanced listening skills to using diplomatic and encouraging language to adopting inspiring motivational practices through the art of dialogue. We will explore the strengths and challenges of your individual personality as it influences leadership style, as well as how to best communicate with other personalities and communication styles.

Dates: Thursdays, December 5, 12 and 19
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

Ever think of the perfect thing to say–when it's too late? Or perhaps you're becoming frustrated with the amount of explanation it takes for others just to get the job done. This certificate program will help you build essential and effective communication skills–whether you're interacting with clients or co-workers virtually, reporting upward, or working as part of an actual or virtual team. You'll learn to manage emotional responses, develop intuition (internal wisdom), create “default language,” and enhance your critical thinking skills under stress to position yourself as a true professional. You will learn:

• The five keys to creating effective communications
• Strategies for identifying and overcoming listening blocks
• Ways to “read” a person through observing body language “clusters,” including gestures
• The Four Basic Communication Personality/Behavioral Styles and how to adapt to each
• Eight critical assertive communication practices
• Ways to identify and shift ten major “hidden agendas” of others.
• Methods to adjust to how group dynamics and group roles influence behavior
• Proven techniques for handling conflict
• Techniques for dealing with workplace stress

Dates: Fridays, December 6, 13, and 20
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

Navigating through the spectrum of personalities, from the mildly moody to the truly challenging, this workshop is your guide to mastering conflict resolution and handling difficult circumstances with finesse. You’ll learn how to anticipate and address predictable cycles of change, manage conflict by personality type, expose and address hidden agendas, and much more. This workshop will help you gain the skills to positively influence people and outcomes—whether you're in charge or not!

Dates: Fridays, November 15 and 22
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $350

Offered by CT State Northwestern

Drama is great for reality shows, but workers with a flair for the dramatic can take up mental bandwidth that impacts productivity and employee morale. Whether you're a supervisor or just someone who wants to better understand and influence the reduction of workplace drama, this course will give you insight and practical pointers. You'll learn to better understand the five major types of “dramatic roles”: whiners, “primos,” complexers, chargers, and energy vampires. You'll discover how to create healthy boundaries for you and your staff, as well as how  to coach employees through personal drama to reduce on-the-job impact. This program will also guide you to a greater understanding of dealing with negative emotions and protecting yourself in a potentially hostile workplace, as well as about how you can support your staff or co-workers in a challenging environment. You'll gain tools to increase your “emotional intelligence,” learn your “anger system” and discover concrete communication tools and strategies for transforming anger and other strong emotions into productive “fuel.” You'll also learn mediation tools for everyday work life, including the three key strategies for strategic management of conflict, the two cardinal rules of conflict resolution (no “walkaways” or “power plays”), and five essential “re-framing practices.” This program is designed to help you maintain or recover a positive, energetic attitude that can foster change for the better! 

Dates: Mondays, December 9, 16 and 23
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Northwestern

What skills do you need for today’s customer service? Experts argue technology has changed the landscape to place service ahead of sales. If so, The New Customer Service Essentials will identify the latest findings about body language, attitude, image, tone of voice, emails, listening (in-person, phone, and virtual), difficult people, persuasion, stress, and teamwork. You’ll develop customer service standards connected to your office goals. Participants will draft an office action plan and create a personal leadership plan to improve customer service. Prerequisites: none CEU: 0.6

Date: Tuesday, December 3
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: CT State Naugatuck Valley, Waterbury Campus
Instructor: Wally Kostrzewa
COST: $199

Offered by CT State Naugatuck Valley

This powerful workshop will show you how to own the online limelight or the conference room “center stage.” Geared toward both virtual and in-person presentations, this workshop will provide practice opportunities in a nurturing environment. Whether you're a “shaking in your boots” speaker or a seasoned pro, you will benefit from the secrets of an experienced pro who has given thousands of presentations. Focusing on an “inside-out” approach, the key is to help you increase your confidence and your ability to think on your feet. You will learn mindful practices to prepare yourself and control your nervousness, techniques for developing “talking points” and about developing PowerPoint presentations. You will also learn how to incorporate anecdotes and humor, as well as utilize valuable delivery tips both on stage and on screen. You'll also learn how to answer questions and even deal with hostile audience members. Whether you have to “say a few words,” present at a conference, participate in staff meetings or produce PowerPoints, this course will take you from fearful to fabulous! 

Dates:Tuesdays, December 10  and 24 (no class December 17)
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
COST: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

This course will cover tips for writing effective grant proposals and becoming a grant writer. Learn how to get started or, if you have started, how to continue and finish. The parts of the Connecticut Common Grant Application form will be reviewed, including a cover letter, cover page, statement of need, project description, budget and narrative, organizational information, and appendix. In addition, basic research methods, cultivation of contacts and meeting funders will also be discussed, as well as how to cope with rejection and what to do next. Grant reporting will be looked at briefly. Students will be given many online resources to use to support grant writing, job researching, demonstrating need and additional learning opportunities. Required for this online course: Internet access and computer. Microphone and webcam needed for live audio/video training. This course will be taught using Webex. Students will be contacted with further instructions one to three business days before class.

Dates: Fridays, October 4 and 11
Times: 1-4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $145

Offered by CT State Manchester

Are you ready to begin writing a grant? This sequel course to Introduction to Grant Writing will use the Connecticut Common Grant Application form to practice writing elements of a grant and provide a supportive environment to write the sections of the Common Grant Application, with plenty of opportunities for peer and instructor review. Students will need agency information and a project to fund. The application can be fictional if the student just wants to practice. Students will leave class with a draft grant proposal. There will be a half-hour lunch break included. Required for this online course: Internet access and computer; microphone and webcam needed. This course will be taught using Webex. The instructor will contact students with further instructions one to three business days prior to class.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Grant Writing or minor experience in grant writing.

Dates: Fridays, October 18 and 25
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Beverly Salzman, MS, MBA 
Cost: $145

Offered by CT State Manchester

Join our interactive De-Escalation Workshop and acquire essential skills to effectively manage and diffuse tense situations. In this engaging session, we will explore a range of behaviors, strategies, and resolutions that promote peaceful and constructive resolutions in high-stress environments.

Participants will learn practical techniques for recognizing early signs of escalation, maintaining emotional control, and establishing rapport with individuals in distress. Through scenario-based exercises and role-plays, attendees will gain hands-on experience in active listening, non-verbal communication, and conflict resolution techniques.

Our expert facilitators will share evidence-based strategies for de-escalation, emphasizing the importance of empathy, de-escalating language, and creating safe spaces. Attendees will also gain insights into setting boundaries, managing personal triggers, and practicing self-care when dealing with challenging situations.

Date: Friday, December 13
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: CT State Gateway, 20 Church St., New Haven CT
Instructor: Rick Siena
Cost: $199

Offered by CT State Gateway

This session is designed to help women assess their current leadership skills and improve those that they see as needing the most improvement. It stresses confidence, power and the natural skills that women bring to leadership. The session also helps women become more successful in dealing with conflicts and interactions that make them feel powerless and with difficult people. Techniques for ways to manage conflicting priorities are also discussed.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Gain respect through the effective use of power
• Become authoritative, self-possessed and in control
• Become more assertive in your use of decision-making and problem-solving
• Discuss the benefits and skills that women bring to leadership
• Practice effective techniques for dealing with difficult people and conflicts
• Become better at managing conflicting priorities
• Use practice activities to make yourself more powerful

Prerequisites: none (Part II will be offered in Spring 2025) CEU: 0.6

Date: Friday, November 22
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Amy Gillespie
Cost: $199

Offered by CT State Naugatuck Valley

You don't have to be an agency director or a CEO of a billion-dollar company to be a leader. Leadership can start right here, right now, in the day-to-day practices and strategies you bring to the workplace. In this lively and inspiring workshop, we will take an in-depth look at how leadership ‘translates’ into working life. You will learn to develop a toolkit of strategies and practices that you can apply in the office, everything from developing advanced listening skills to using diplomatic and encouraging language to adopting inspiring motivational practices. We will explore what makes great leaders, taking a key look at legendary business leaders, like Steve Jobs. In addition to learning cornerstone practices of motivating, mentoring, and maximizing performance, this class will teach you: 11 leadership lessons you didn't learn in school; 7 personality traits of a great leader; 6 key ‘stop, start, continue’ practices of leadership; 6 rules for leading with intention, and much more. We will explore the strengths and challenges of your individual personality as it influences leadership style. Each participant will leave inspired and knowledgeable in how to bring leadership to their everyday life, whether leading projects, encouraging co-workers, or inspiring those you supervise.

Dates: Mondays, December 9, 16, and 23
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

Making the transition from top-performing employee to top-performing supervisor is often difficult. Do not get caught making the same mistakes over and over. Nip them in the bud! Your management style defines your success as a supervisor as well as the success of your team and your department. This two-day class is the first of a two-part series and works through the general transition into a supervisory role.  At the end of the session, you'll understand how to build morale and a strong team, manage perception and conflict, gain strategies for time management and improve your problem-solving skills, smoothly make the transition from co-worker/friend to supervisor, coach employees to excellence and recognize when to coach and when to discipline.

Dates: Thursday and Friday, November 14-15
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: CT State Gateway, 20 Church St., New Haven
Instructor: Tameika Miller
Cost: $325

Offered by CT State Gateway

Making the transition from top performing employee to top performing supervisor is often difficult. Do not get caught making the same mistakes over and over. Nip them in the bud! Your management style defines your success as a supervisor as well as the success of your team and your department. This two-day class is the second part of a two-part series that focuses on identifying what you would like your own personal leadership style to be and how to achieve this intention.  At the end of the session, you'll understand how to build morale and a strong team, manage perception and conflict, gain strategies for time management and improve your problem-solving skills, smoothly make the transition from co-worker/friend to supervisor, coach employees to excellence and recognize when to coach and when to discipline.

Dates: Thursday and Friday, December 5-6
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: CT State Gateway, 20 Church St., New Haven
Instructor: Tameika Miller
Cost: $325

Offered by CT State Gateway

All supervisors handle “sticky” situations—the ones you never learned about in school. The ones that give you that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach. How you handle sticky situations can make or break you as a supervisor. This workshop explores how to foster excellent communication and interpersonal skills so that you can handle even the toughest incidents with grace, diplomacy, and effectiveness. You’ll learn how to manage resistance to change, how to handle failure to use authority properly, how to deal with the employee who is under-producing, how to handle the employee with personal problems, how to deal with hidden agendas and much more!

You will:

• Learn how to handle resistance to change from those you supervise
• Understand how to constructively give and take criticism
• Develop strategies for dealing with under-producing employees, employees with personal problems, employees who sidestep authority, inconsistent communicators, etc.
• Learn the keys to an artful confrontation that will create a more open atmosphere in the workplace
• Handle emotional responses in the workplace, including anger, crying, and unresponsive behavior
• Plot a course of effective action when workplace friends expect favors

Dates: Wednesdays, December 4, 11 and 18
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

You don’t need an official title to be a leader in your organization. This course will explore the main characteristics of leadership with the goal of contributing value to your organization, whether you’re in a formal leadership position or not. We will review results of leadership (leading with courage and a drive for results); people leadership (influencing others, coaching, building talent pools, speaking with impact, listening actively, building relationships and fostering communication); thought leadership (leading through change, supporting innovation and strengthening decision-making skills); and self-leadership (building trust, demonstrating adaptability, practicing self-development and fostering collaboration).

Dates: Wednesdays, November 6 and 13
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: CT State Manchester, Room B144
Instructor: John Lombardo, MBA
Cost: $299

Offered by CT State Manchester

In this invigorating, uber-interactive certificate program, you will learn how to nurture and enhance your leadership skills, thus increasing the effectiveness of interpersonal workplace relationships and professional productivity. You will gain a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of your leadership style, as well as acquire an abundance of “take- aways” that you can immediately put into practice. The program will focus on a variety of instructional formats including assessment tools, small group exercises, and case studies. There will be five points of emphasis: self-growth; workplace ethics; communication with your manager, coworkers, and staff: team building; and change management. This program will empower you to become a leader who can inspire yourself, acquire solid leadership skills, and fire up your staff!

Dates: Wednesdays, January 15, 22, and 29, 2025
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

You may hear well, but do you listen well? With all our workplace distractions and those unconscious biases, you’re missing more than you think. Listening makes you a more effective leader. Listen to Lead offers practical approaches with practice time to get the message. Topics include listening styles, workplace and personal barriers, bad habits, red flag words, body language, better questions, interviewing, virtual meetings, phone calls and difficult people. You’ll design a personalized action plan to listen better and help others do the same. Prerequisites: none CEU: 0.6

Date: Thursday, November 14
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: CT State Naugatuck Valley, Waterbury Campus
Instructor: Wally Kostrzewa
Cost: $199

Offered by CT State Naugatuck Valley

Project management is a widely recognized discipline. It has become a key ingredient to ensuring successful, on-time and on-budget projects. You should attend this course if you have led a project or will lead one in the future. The course is also recommended for anyone who will be actively participating in a project. You will learn how to determine the scope, characteristics and success of a well-defined project; how to gather and document requirements; leadership essentials; what a work breakdown session is all about; and how to schedule, estimate and handle project closure.

Dates: Wednesdays, October 16 and 23
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: CT State Manchester, LRC Room B144
Instructor: John Lombardo, MBA
Cost: $299

Offered by CT State Manchester

Embark on a transformative journey with our SCRUM Master Certification Prep course, designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in agile project management. Dive deep into the intricacies of the SCRUM framework as you master key competencies such as facilitating daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives. Learn effective communication strategies to foster collaboration within cross-functional teams and hone your ability to identify and eliminate impediments that hinder project progress. By the end of this certification prep, you will emerge with the necessary knowledge to achieve SCRUM Master certification. An exam voucher will be provided with a passing grade of 70% or above.

Pre-Requisite: Associate or bachelor’s degree

Dates: Mondays and Wednesdays, December 2-February 5
Time: 12–2 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Belinda McClain
Cost: $1190

Offered by CT State Gateway

You want to get the best out of your staff, but it's not always easy. Sometimes there are stumbling blocks. It may be an employee who's a workhorse, but doesn't work well with others. Or an employee who seems more interested in texting than working. Or an employee whom you know isn't working up to his/her potential. Learn best supervisory practices and strategies to help your direct reports achieve their personal best. This course centers on understanding motivation, including the intrinsic rewards employees crave, such as recognition and appreciation. 

You will: 

• acquire and strengthen key coaching skills to guide your staff to stretch their comfort zones 
• help your staff members define and enhance their risk-taking skills
• learn how to guide staff in defining objectives and developing new skillsets 
• employ proven techniques for motivating staff
• acquire an arsenal of “perfect phrases” for key situations
• inspire employees to become more engaged, productive and successful

Dates: Thursdays, January 23 and 30, 2025
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $350

Offered by CT State Northwestern

This course will provide practical solutions to common supervisory problems, as well as on-the-spot strategies to help you every day and long-term issues that you face. Think of it as a think-tank where you will be able to strategize IRL (In Real Life) solutions with other leaders willing to share best practices! We will explore the topics that mean the most to you: everything from dealing with a low work-ethic, addressing insubordination, communicating by personality, delegating more effectively, dealing with performance issues, addressing poor morale, and much more. You will leave with an IRL (In Real Life) Tool Kit, filled with new insights and skills that you can immediately put into practice. And to further the flow of ideas—an email “support group” will be available for one month after class for sharing insights, strategies, and successes.

Dates: Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $200

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

This course will provide practical solutions to common supervisory problems, as well as on-the-spot strategies to help you with everyday and long-term issues that you face. Think of it as a think-tank where you will be able to strategize IRL (In Real Life) solutions with other leaders willing to share best practices! We will explore the topics that mean the most to you: everything from dealing with a low work-ethic, addressing insubordination, communicating by personality, delegating more effectively, dealing with performance issues, addressing poor morale, and much more. You will leave with an IRL (In Real Life) Tool Kit filled with new insights and skills that you can immediately put into practice. And to further the flow of ideas, an email “support group” will be available for one month after class to share insights, strategies, and successes.

Dates: Mondays, November 18, 25 and December 2
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

Whether you're a supervisor, want to become one or simply want to move ahead in your career, this workshop will position you as a valued team player in your department. You will develop expertise that will be critical to your career success, whether you are supervising a remote, hybrid, or back-to-the-workplace team.

You‘ll leave with a toolkit of insights, tips and practices, including key communication practices for getting along with co-workers, bosses, and those you supervise. Attendees will learn seven key steps to get respect, 15 best practices of supervisors, four key practices for providing feedback to employees, ten keys to managing a virtual workplace, three keys for supervising hybrid workers, the 5-15 reporting structures, 30 top supervisory missteps to avoid, and a seven-step stress management plan. Each participant will leave with their own customized real-life transition plan, with a way to identify and supervise each employee by personality, working style, and work ethic.

Dates: Mondays, November 18, 25, and December 2
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

Women face unique challenges in leadership roles. This highly participative online workshop provides an IRL (In Real Life) approach to leading in today’s virtual, hybrid, and workplace-based environments. It takes an in-depth look at five basic areas: addressing the “double standard” dilemma; understanding your personal leadership style, factoring in gender and personality; communicating more effectively when providing and receiving feedback; strengthening leadership skills by increasing emotional intelligence; and navigating the work-life balance. Wether you’re currently a leader or considering a leadership role on any level, you will learn how to outsmart gender bias and create better self-talk and habits to accomplish more.

Dates: Thursdays, September 19, October 26, and October 3
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

OSHA training is necessary for a safe and healthy work environment. Workers taking this course have jobs related to health care, electrical, factory, warehouse, manufacturing, storage and more. This OSHA 10 course covers general industry hazards not specific to those working construction-only jobs. Upon completion and passing the final assessment, the student will receive an OSHA-10 national certification.

Section Notes: This class is a self-paced, online class.  You will need to have access to a computer with internet access to complete the program. 

Dates: December 9-20
Time: Self-Paced
Location: Online
Instructor: Pam Walsh
Cost: $267

Offered by CT State Gateway

This personal finance course will run 6 hours in a live virtual format by Webex. The most significant topics will include some basics for budgeting, savings, sources of income, expenses, assets, liabilities, and retirement plans. The class is a mix of theory, practice, and real-life examples and the course is interactive giving participants the opportunity to ask additional questions and take a deeper dive into some specific topic areas. MS Excel will be used as a tool for the class. Prerequisites: digital literacy and basic knowledge of MS Office (Word/Excel) CEUs: 0.6

Date: December 13 
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Juan de la Rosa
Cost: $199

Offered by CT State Naugatuck Valley

Become the architect of your career success story. In this exhilarating workshop you will be guided into defining your career goals and developing self-coaching skills to turn career aspirations into reality. Unlock your potential to soar through change and challenges, whether you're confused about the road ahead, navigating the waters of hybrid work or conquering new professional territories. Say goodbye to feeling lost in the shuffle and hello to confidently leading your own journey. Discover the elusive balance between work and personal life, not as a distant dream but as an achievable reality. Say goodbye to uncertainty and hello to clarity as you embrace a holistic approach that energizes both your professional and personal well-being. We will provide practical tools on how to promote and “brand” yourself within your agency as someone destined for success!

Dates: Mondays, October 21, 28, and November 4
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

Neuroplasticity is the concept that the brain is plastic and changeable. Your brain is designed to learn, grow, and rewire itself throughout life. The key: using your brain's neuroplasticity to create new habits that will enhance the quality of your professional and personal life. You can activate your brain's “delete button” to change your unwanted behavior, thinking, and emotions. In this highly interactive workshop, you will learn the ten fundamentals of neuroplasticity as you “lay down new wiring” for the brain that will help you throughout your career and into retirement. You will learn about “The Seven Minute Solution” and how to develop micro-habits, discover how to stop “picking fights “with your mind and practice ways to use tools such as mindfulness and focus on decreasing worry and anxiety. Participants will develop a Neuroplasticity Plan with action and “non-action” steps to create a more meaningful and productive life.

Dates: Mondays, January 6, 13 and 27, 2025 (no class January 20)
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

The Class will focus in verbal and written communication for interacting at the workplace in General Spanish.  Topics to learn will be Greetings, farewells, conversations (Asking Questions, Answering Questions, and Obtaining Information). Will review Services, Manufacturing, and Healthcare and the medical environment. Will also go through basic cultural differences in verbal and written communication like formatting or interaction. Communication will be practice as if were Customer, Colleagues, Suppliers. Will also go to Spanish language specifics in verbal and written communications. This is a fast track 9 hours interactive class. Prerequisites: none CEU: 0.9

Dates: Wednesdays, October 30, November 6 and 13
Time: 1–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Juan de la Rosa
Cost: $295

Offered by CT State Naugatuck Valley

Creating and strengthening workplace teams, especially teams of hybrid workers, involves many skills! This Workshop will provide a Guide from A (authenticity) to Z (use of Zoom and other virtual platforms.) We will take an in-depth look at everything from how teams develop to how to avoid “groupthink” to how to expand the roles team members adopt to develop a team’s efficiency, productivity, and creativity. This workshop will address the real-life practicalities of managing hybrid teams, dealing with uneven work ethics, and handling personality conflicts within the team. We will also take a look at the operational goals of the team in terms of time and project management and much more. You will learn the four pillars that drive a successful team, the top ten do’s and don’ts for team building, key ways to motivate team members by personality style, how to deal with team complacency and much more. You will also learn fun and functional team-building exercises that can be used in in-person, virtual, and hybrid meetings to increase team participation and productivity.

Dates: Thursdays, January 2, 19 and 16, 2025
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

Intermediate Excel is a two-day course that is intended for those with previous experience in using Microsoft Excel 365, preferably Intro to Excel. The main topics covered in this course include: Text and Date Functions, Named Ranges, Summarizing Data, Tables, Pivot Tables, Charts and Slicers, Data Validation, Conditional Logic, Automating Lookups, V Lookups, H Lookups, X Lookups, Recording Macros, Professional Dashboards.  Better data analysis and presentation as well as the required skill set for certification in Microsoft Excel.
Required text: Live virtual class only. Laptop, Desktop or tablet with audio/video and camera required to participate in the class. Live virtual course using Microsoft Office 365. Reliable internet access required. PC format only. Prerequisite: Basic knowledge and proficiency in Intro to Excel course or comparable basic knowledge of Excel.  CEUs: 1.2

Dates: Fridays, October 25, and November 1
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Cindy Averill
Cost: $325

Offered by CT State Naugatuck Valley

From creating a workbook, navigating worksheets and workbooks, formatting and more, Microsoft Excel Level 1 covers the fundamentals. Additional topics include inserting and formatting cells and ranges, organizing data and using formulas and functions.  Required text: none Prerequisite: none  CEUs: 0.6

Upcoming Offerings:

Date: Wednesday, November 13
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Date: Wednesday, December 4
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Date: Monday, January 6
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Date: Wednesday, January 22
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck and CT State Northwestern

Picking up where Level 1 Excel left off with fundamentals, Level 2 unleashes the full potential of the program illuminating participants on the finer points of conditional operations and modifying text in "Functions" to create charts, tables and sorting. Pivot table creation, filters, refreshing data and calculated fields will also be covered. Required text: none Prerequisite: Excel Level 1  CEUs: 0.6

Upcoming Offerings:

Date: Wednesday, November 20
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Date: Wednesday, December 11
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Date: Monday, January 13, 2025
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck and CT State Northwestern

In this course, you will use Outlook to manage your email communications, including composing, reading, and responding to emails; schedule appointments and meetings; manage contact information; schedule tasks and create notes; customize message response options, and organize your mail. Other topics include configuring and navigating of calendar to include adding holidays, appointments, reminders, event scheduling, printing and sharing.  Required text: none Prerequisite: none  CEUs: 0.6

Date: Wednesday, December 9
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Offered by CT State Northwestern

Learn basic concepts of Microsoft PowerPoint including creating presentations, inserting and formatting slides, text and tables and modifying handouts. This one-day course will culminate with a complete overview of creating a slide show, rehearsing slide show timing and presentation. Required text: none Prerequisite: none  CEUs: 0.6

Upcoming Offerings:

Date: Monday, December 16
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Date: Wednesday, January 8
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck and CT State Northwestern

Building on the fundamental Microsoft Office PowerPoint skills developed in Level 1, Level 2 PowerPoint delves into more complex features of the program including shapes, charts, groups and SmartArt Graphics. Additional Level 2 topics include inserting audio and video clips, slide transitions, animating slide content merging multiple projects. Required text: none Prerequisite: PowerPoint Level 1  CEUs: 0.6

Upcoming Offerings:

Date: Wednesday, December 18
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Date: Wednesday, January 15
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck and CT State Northwestern

This course will walk participants through basic Microsoft Word concepts starting from create a document to navigating and formatting documents, customized options, print and saving. Other topics include inserting, formatting and grouping text and paragraphs. Required text: none Prerequisite: none  CEUs: 0.6

Upcoming Offerings:

Date: Monday, November 18
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Date: Monday, January 20, 2025
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

Building on the basics of Level 1, Level 2 Microsoft Office Word delves in to more advanced such as creating and modifying tables and lists. Inserting and managing simple references and graphic elements will also be covered. Required text: none Prerequisite: Microsoft Level 1  CEUs: 0.6

Upcoming Offerings:

Dates: Monday, December 2
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Dates: Monday, January 27, 2025
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Shyrel Bauby
Cost: $200

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

You’re being asked to do more with fewer resources. You might be wondering how you can stay on top of things, maintain control, and keep a positive attitude. Time out! This course will dedicate its focus on helping you manage under duress through appropriate attitude, good health and mindfulness habits, best time management practices, and more.  You will gain a deep understanding about how you react to pressure and the strain it can put on your performance. Participants will each conduct a stress profile and learn strategies that will help develop new habits and work practices to not only help you cope—but thrive—when the heat gets turned on!  You will learn how to manage ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) that flourish during high-pressure situations and replace them with APTs (automatic positive thoughts). You will also learn how to match responses appropriate to high-pressure situations. You’ll leave the workshop refreshed and renewed with strategies for de-pressurizing work situations! 

Dates: Thursdays, November 14 and 21
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $350

Offered by CT State Northwestern

It seems like we are all doing more these days. New technologies, new work environments, new challenges! It may seem like your to-do list can circle the globe and your schedule can make your head spin. Investing your time in this three-session workshop will help you increase your productivity, manage your “time stress,” and enjoy your day. Think of this tip-filled program as a virtual work-makeover that will help you do more with less stress! Attendees will learn how to use storyboarding, SWEET objectives, and a SWOT analysis to set goals; how to conceive, prepare, organize, execute, and evaluate projects; how to understand the part personality plays into team management, and how to implement over 100 tips to become better organized, and how to do more in less time. You will develop and strengthen project management skills, address the human factor to motivate team members, and develop methods to work in new environments. You will learn how to meet the challenges of today‘s demanding workplace by better managing multiple priorities and multiple bosses, increasing your organization skills, and anticipating and preparing for roadblocks.

Dates: Tuesdays, January 14, 21 and 28, 2025
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

Learning how to identify and overcome your anxiety and stress is the key to a healthy and happy life! This interactive workshop is filled with practical strategies and exercises to help you learn how to live a more meaningful day and even possibly overcome “imposter syndrome” and reduce anxiety. You will discover the hidden energy of early morning moments, two questions to calm your mind, how to let go of inner struggle, the power of “permission slips,” and strategies for “letting things settle.” Whether you are challenged by feelings of anxiety, overwhelm or everyday stress, this workshop will help you understand the dynamics of working to better control your thoughts and emotions. You will learn how to engage in positive “self-talk,” as well as how to better communicate your needs and feelings to attract positive energy! We will explore various anxiety and stress-reducing techniques, such as guided visualization, self-acupressure, the “finger test,” simple exercises you can do at your desk, and more. You’ll leave feeling relaxed and energized!

Dates: Fridays, November 8, 10 and 22
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Norwestern

Research shows that people spend almost 47 percent of their waking hours thinking about something other than what they are doing. Blending time management and mindfulness strategies, this workshop will help you increase peace and productivity throughout your working day. As you become more aware of your energy levels, peak creative periods, and mood, you will be able to function in a more meaningful and aware ware. This workshop will help you switch off the anxiety and “autopilot” and turn on your ability to be connected and mindful. You will be guided in developing mindfulness and attention practices that will show you how to focus on the task at hand, as well as release internal and external distractions at work. We will explore the role of meditation and guided visualization, including at-work practices such as waking meditation, doorway meditation, the three-breath-per meditation, and much more! You will learn how to use monotasking, adopt gratitude practices, and “slow down to speed up.”

Dates: Fridays, October 18, 25 and November 1
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck

Give yourself the grace and time to focus on how you’re doing head-wise and health-wise. This participative workshop will give us a unique opportunity to dig into our own personal and professional situations in a gentle and nurturing environment and to come up with real-life/real-time solutions and strategies. This workshop is ideal for anyone who wants a fresh start in exploring how to thrive in today’s challenging work culture. We will explore everything from mindfulness practices to optimizing WFH/hybrid strategies to increasing productivity using AI tools for goal-setting and much more!

Dates: Fridays, January 3, 10 and 17, 2025
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Online
Instructor: Margaret Demarino
Cost: $480

Offered by CT State Asnuntuck