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Canadian Mental Health Association - Psychological Health and Safety Navigator Training

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Canadian Mental Health Association - Psychological Health and Safety Navigator Training

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CMHA's certified Psychological Health and Safety Navigator Training is a valuable program for individuals aiming to enhance workplace psychological health and safety. The training spans four half-day online sessions, equipping participants with tools to assess and analyze psychological health and safety, develop tailored implementation plans, and set up effective monitoring and reporting processes for continual improvement. The course's insights and strategies for creating safer and healthier work environments were very beneficial for my role in Workplace Wellbeing. - Lauren Lee

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BCIT - Business Management Program (Flexible Learning)

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BCIT - Business Management Program (Flexible Learning)

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Looking towards what my next possible goal will be at UBC (managerial role in admin and/or operations), I enrolled in BCIT flexible learning for their Business Management program. I started with taking 2 courses in the first term I was enrolled, then afterwards I have been taking 1 course per term. It works great because my class is scheduled for evening, and have options of online format or in-person. I have completed 5 courses so far, and currently taking my 6th course from the list of program required courses (Business Law, Business Information Systems I, Essentials of Marketing, Operations Management, Business & Technical Communication, Accounting I). How the course format is, differs per course - which is great aspect. Examples: some had weekly assignments & weekly quizzes, some had stimulations, some had end of term project, some had a presentation component, some had group activity/project involved).

I highly encourage others to utilize their PD funds or Tuition Waivers towards their current position or their future goals!

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StrongerBC Future Skills: My Experience with Essential Soft Skills Training at the University of Victoria 

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StrongerBC Future Skills: My Experience with Essential Soft Skills Training at the University of Victoria 

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By Marat Raimkhan

Visit my blog linked for more information.

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By Marat Raimkhan

In the dynamic landscape of today's workplace, acquiring soft skills is essential for professional success. My journey with the Essential Soft Skills Training at the University of Victoria, supported by the StrongerBC Future Skills grant, has been a transformative experience.

The Essential Soft Skills Training (ESST) micro-credential - a five-week, part-time, instructor-led online program - addressed fundamental soft skills needed for success in digital work environments, covering organizational skills, communication skills, critical thinking, and team-building. Its flexible, self-paced structure allowed me to seamlessly integrate the training into my daily schedule.

What set this program apart was its comprehensive assessment strategy. Instead of relying solely on traditional methods, it utilized personal reflections, quizzes, peer reviews, and instructor feedback to provide a holistic view of our skill development. Engaging with a diverse group of participants from various professional backgrounds enriched the experience, fostering an environment conducive to peer-to-peer learning.

The emphasis on practical application was another highlight. The instructor guided us through applying learned concepts in real-world scenarios, empowering us to immediately implement these skills in our professional lives. This hands-on approach not only reinforced our learning but also enabled us to make tangible contributions to our respective workplaces.

As I reflect on my journey, I express immense gratitude for the StrongerBC Future Skills grant, making this valuable training accessible. The course not only equipped me with a comprehensive toolkit of soft skills but also instilled the confidence to navigate complex professional environments with finesse and adaptability.

For those interested, the StrongerBC Future Skills grant is available to British Columbians aged 19 or older, regardless of financial need. It covers up to $3,500 in eligible short-term skills training at public post-secondary institutions. Over 11,300 learners have already benefited from this initiative, and funding will be available in the winter 2024 semester for midstream learners who began their programs in the fall 2023 semester.

Looking ahead, the government plans to refresh the list of programs funded under the StrongerBC Future Skills grant in 2024. This initiative aims to provide diverse and updated skills training options in fall 2024, catering to the evolving demands of well-paid, high-opportunity occupations. Keep an eye out for the refreshed list of program offerings, which will be posted in mid-late spring 2024.

You are welcome to find more at https://www.workbc.ca/find-loans-and-grants/students-and-adult-learners/strongerbc-future-skills-grant

I would greatly appreciate your input regarding your preferences and interests. Please consider taking our short survey:
Lunch and Learn Survey

Learn more about Professional Development funding opportunities on my blog:
Professional Development " CUPE 2950

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StrongerBC Future Skills: My Experience with Essential Soft Skills Training at the University of Victoria

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By Marat Raimkhan In the dynamic landscape of today's workplace, acquiring soft skills is essential for professional success. My journey with the Essential Soft Skills Training at the University of Victoria, supported by the StrongerBC Future Skills grant, has been a transformative experience.

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TRU - Interpersonal Communication Course

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TRU - Interpersonal Communication Course

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By Louise Harrison
I took a distance open learning course through Thompson Rivers University last year on Interpersonal Communication. Link here; https://www.tru.ca/distance/courses/cmns2171.html
I used the professional development funding available through UBC as a CUPE 2950 member and it covered the course fee and textbook fee.

The course consisted of 12 modules, various assignments (including a research essay), quizzes and a final exam. It was online self-paced with no classes each week etc. I found it tough to stay motivated at times with no online class set deadlines, other than the exam, quizzes and assignments to be completed before the course end date which was 30 weeks from your registered start date. Overall, I found the course to be really helpful on why we communicate, how and the differences. It also covered a little on culture and the different types of communication.

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Students learn a range of theories and perspectives related to interpersonal communication. Emphasis will be on understanding the importance of effective interpersonal communication to establishing and maintaining relationships as well as achieving goals in social and workplace environments. Students assess the use of interpersonal communication in given scenarios and are encouraged to reflect on and improve their own interpersonal communication skills. This study of interpersonal communication includes several contexts, including the workplace, social and family environments.

Learning outcomes

Explain the basic assumptions and characteristics of key theories and perspectives related to interpersonal communication.

Explain the importance of interpersonal communication as a key factor in social, cultural, and workplace communication contexts.

Describe the role of communication in defining the nature and quality of interpersonal relationships.

Analyze based on theory the effectiveness and appropriateness of particular interpersonal communication strategies in a given situation or scenario.

Apply principles and approaches to interpersonal communication effectively to particular communication scenarios based on context, goals, and needs.

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your own interpersonal communication skills.

Course topics

Module 1: The Interpersonal Process

Module 2: Communication and the Self

Module 3: Perceiving Others

Module 4: Emotions

Module 5: Listening

Module 6: Language

Module 7: Non-Verbal Communication

Module 8: Dynamics of Interpersonal Relationships

Module 9: Communication Climate

Module 10: Managing Conflict

Module 11: Communicating with Family

Module 12: Work, Group, and Team Communication

Required text and materials

Adler, R. B., Rosenfeld, L. B., Proctor, R. F., & Winder, C. (2020). Interplay: The process of interpersonal communication (5th Canadian ed.). Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.
Type: Textbook. ISBN: 978-0-19-903347-8.

Assessments

Please be aware that should your course have a final exam, you are responsible for the fee to the online proctoring service, ProctorU, or to the in-person approved Testing Centre. Please contact exams@tru.ca with any questions about this.

To complete this course successfully, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course and 50% or higher on the mandatory Final Exam.

Open Learning Faculty Member Information

An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.

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Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning, distance education - courses, degrees, diplomas, certificates

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UBC Sauder Executive Education Project Management Essentials 

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UBC Sauder Executive Education Project Management Essentials 

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I took this course as part of the Administrative Excellence Certificate.

Found it to be a good precursor to project management - if you’re interested to do the CAPM/PMP or are interested in a career in project management.

Very organized notes and a lot of breakout activity which will reinforce your learning.

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I was able to use some of my Professional Development funding to pay for the Waking Up app.

I've used the app for over a year now and I think it is quite good. If you are interested in meditation and mindfulness -- both practice and theory, it has a lot to offer. There is a very good beginning meditation program. The app sends daily mindfulness reminders. There is also a section of podcasts on diverse topics: The Art of Noticing, Resilience, Embracing Discomfort, Time Management for Mortals, and The Kingdom of Sleep are a few of the titles.

I recommend you try the free week or month that is on offer to see if it might be of interest to you.

I did not pay full asking price for the app, I paid a lesser amount.

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"Whether you want to sharpen your mind or experience more peace, this can help in dramatic fashion."

Tim Ferriss

Investor, #1 New York Times best-selling author, and host of The Tim Ferriss Show podcast.

Discover the true purpose of meditation.

Go beyond simple relaxation techniques and experience the freedom of real mindfulness-without any New Age fluff.

Understand why you're practicing.

Don't just meditate. Understand the theory of mindfulness, with the best of ancient wisdom pressure-tested by modern science.

Live an examined, fulfilling life.

Listen to lessons and conversations on Stoicism, effective altruism, sleep, psychedelics research, and more.

World-Renowned Teachers and Scholars

"The Waking Up app has helped me see the reality of my mind much more clearly. Sam's meditations leave me feeling more grounded, calm, and with a greater appreciation of my life and the present moment. There's no other meditation app quite like it."

"Even with more than a decade of prior mindfulness practice and devoted daily meditation, I have found Waking Up not merely useful but transformative. There is something singular and powerful about the integration of philosophy (which trains us to think more deeply and question our thinking-instrument more closely) and poetry (which trains us to feel more widely and be more awake to life) into a meditation practice."

"The Waking Up app has helped me see the reality of my mind much more clearly. Sam's meditations leave me feeling more grounded, calm, and with a greater appreciation of my life and the present moment. There's no other meditation app quite like it."

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Waking Up - A New Operating System for Your Mind

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Open the door to a deeper understanding of yourself-with guided meditations and insights for living a more examined life.