Skills for Success Courses
Fall 2009 & Spring 2010
Application and Enrollment Information
- About the Courses and Program
- How You Can Apply for a Course
- Notification
- Your Responsibilities
- Certificates
About the Courses and Program
Courses Designed for You
Skills for Success courses are designed especially for CSEA-represented employees and the work they perform.
Courses provide the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to accomplish job assignments more effectively. Additionally, job skill training can be supplemented with personal development opportunities from the Work and Life courses.
This catalog includes Skills for Success courses for fall 2009 and spring 2010. Please keep this catalog because the Partnership will not issue a separate spring 2010 catalog.
Employees are encouraged to work closely with their supervisor to select courses that are meaningful to their professional and personal growth. Upon completing a course, employees are encouraged to discuss what they have learned with their supervisor and co-workers.
The Partnership welcomes employee and supervisor feedback about these courses and ideas for new courses.
Eligibility
Employees are eligible to participate in Partnership courses if they are:
- A CSEA-represented New York State (NYS) employee (ASU/02, OSU/03, ISU/04, or DMNA/47).
- A CSEA-represented local government (county, city, town, village, school district) or CSEA-represented private sector employee, as space permits.
- A NYS employee (previously represented by CSEA) serving a probationary period in a transition title or traineeship directly supported by the Partnership (may be M/C - 06 or PS&T - 05) may attend courses in the mathematics, secretarial, work management, and written communication categories.
- A NYS employee in a Management/Confidential (M/C - 06) clerical or secretarial title. (M/C employees in clerical and secretarial titles are eligible to attend courses in the mathematics, secretarial, work management, and written communication categories as space permits.)
Cost
Training is available at no cost to employees or agencies. Employee reimbursement for travel, lodging, meals, and parking expenses is at the discretion of their agency or organization.
Where Courses are Held
Courses are generally held at state agency worksites. Complete travel directions for all training sites will be included in letters to employees accepted to attend courses. Link to abbreviated directions.
When Courses are Held
All courses are held during the day, and vary from one-half day to four days in length. Course lengths are specified in course descriptions.
Full-Day Courses
- Full-day courses are generally held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Exception: Full-day courses in New York City are held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Half-Day Courses
- Half-day courses are generally held from 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. or 12:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Exception: Half-day courses in New York City are held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. or 1:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
How You Can Apply for a Course
Applicants
Please read the course descriptions carefully and be sure the course is appropriate for your needs. Please do not apply for a course unless you can attend the entire course. Supervisory approval is required to attend classes.
Classes Fill Quickly. Apply Today!
Apply for courses as soon as possible and no later than three weeks prior to the class. Applications received after this time will be considered as space permits. Applying early also helps meet minimum enrollment levels which must be met three weeks before class date in order to avoid class cancellations.
Application Form
Complete the application by following the directions on the form. Discuss with your supervisor your interest in taking a course. You can apply for multiple courses on one application form but remember to list them in the order of your preference. You may not necessarily be accepted for all of the courses for which you apply.
Obtain your supervisor's approval and signature to attend the course.
Send your application to the Partnership by using the mailing address or fax number provided on the form.
Note to Supervisors of Applicants
When you sign an employee's application form, you are granting the employee release time to attend the entire course without charge to leave credits. If several employees in your unit are interested in the same course, please approve only individuals you are willing to send for the entire course.
Reasonable Accommodations Can Be Provided
All training sites are accessible to employees with disabilities. Special instructional needs are addressed by the Partnership on an individual basis. If you have such a need to enable you to participate in any course, please be sure to complete the section of the application form that addresses reasonable accommodation. If you have questions, please contact the Partnership's accessibility coordinator at (800) 253-4332 or email access@nyscseapartnership.org.
Notification
Acceptance Letter
You will be notified approximately three weeks before the start of the course if you are accepted into a Partnership training course. Acceptance letters will confirm the date, time, location, and travel directions to the training site. Please inform your supervisor about your acceptance into the class. Do not attend unless you receive an acceptance letter.
"Sorry, Course Fully Enrolled" Letter
If you are not accepted into a course, you will be notified after the scheduling is completed. You are encouraged to reapply when courses are offered again.
Wait Lists
The Partnership will maintain a wait list for all courses that have reached full enrollment. If vacancies occur, Partnership staff will contact you to determine if you are still interested in attending.
Date and Location Changes
Occasionally, the Partnership must change course dates or locations. Your acceptance letter will announce any changes. You may also check the Updates page.
Cancellations
If a course is canceled, the Partnership will notify all applicants by email, letter, or telephone. You may also check the Updates page.
Additional Classes
If additional classes of a course are scheduled due to high demand, announcements will be made on the Updates page. Employees on waiting lists for these courses will be contacted.
Your Responsibilities
Be Considerate If You Cannot Attend a Course
Your application form signifies a commitment to attend the entire course. If you receive an acceptance letter and find that you cannot attend the entire course, please contact the Partnership as soon as possible to cancel. Then, the Partnership can invite the next person on the wait list. By canceling at the last minute, or failing to show up, you deny another CSEA-represented employee the opportunity to attend. Do not ask someone to attend in your place because the Partnership maintains a wait list. If you cannot attend, call (518) 486-7814 or, for areas outside the Capital Region, call (800) 253-4332 or email learning@nyscseapartnership.org.
Bring Appropriate Documents to Class
Acceptance Letter — Please bring your acceptance letter to the first day of training.
Photo Identification — Due to increased security requirements at training sites, you must be prepared to present a PHOTO ID upon arrival for each day of training.
Certificates
Certificates of Participation are awarded for Partnership courses if you attend and participate in the entire course. Certificates are distributed at the end of the class by the instructor. We recommend you forward a copy of the certificate to your supervisor, and agency or facility training office.
Contact the Partnership
Partnership staff are available to answer your questions. Suggestions are also welcome. Please contact staff at:
NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training
Corporate Plaza East, Suite 502
240 Washington Avenue Extension
Albany, New York 12203
Call: 518-486-7814 or 800-253-4332 (for areas outside the Capital Region)
Fax: 518-486-1989
Email: learning@nyscseapartnership.org