In order to be successful, it’s imperative that small business owners be good leaders. Not everyone is born with razor sharp leadership skills, though, and that’s where the Center for Workforce Development at Columbus State Community College can help.
The center has consulted with more than 150 business partners in numerous industry sectors and trained 20,000 employees since 1996. Business owners −and their employees− have more than 20 training programs available to them. One course focuses on leadership and supervision, and is divided into introductory and advanced classes.
“We have also developed a new customized program with funding from the Ohio Board of Regents and Ohio Job and Family Services to address 21st century workplace skills that is aimed at enhancing the skill set of new and incumbent workers by imparting leadership skills at all levels of an organization,” says Cheryl Hay, the center’s administrator.
The program addresses the lack of problem solving, communication, conflict resolution, and other leadership skills that are now needed at every level of an organization in response to the competitive mindset both at home and abroad, she says.
The Leadership/Supervision course taken at the center is typically open to 20 to 30 participants, but there is an online option available to individuals. The course also can be customized for a particular business and taken on site.
In fact, the center recently delivered a pilot of the 21st Century Workplace Skills course at McGraw Hill’s Gahanna office for 20 of its lead associates. It ran for four hours a week over 11 weeks.
The cost of the course varies, depending on customization and interaction.
“In the case of an online class, the cost is $99,” Hay says. “Supervision skills, such as interviewing and human resource management programs, run $149 for a one-day class to $499 for a four-day course option.”
Online registration is available for open enrollment classes. If a business needs a customized program delivered on site, they can contact the center by phone at 614-287-5000 or online at CSCC.edu/workforce to arrange a no-cost session with a solutions consultants.
“There are also a multitude of no-cost training and consulting services available to small businesses and entrepreneurs through our Ohio Small Business Development Center housed at the college,” Hay says.
