OTC partners for leadership training

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Ozarks Technical Community College's Customized Training Department has added more training courses to its repertoire. |ret||ret||tab|

The department has supplemented its technical and computer training courses by offering courses on leadership and organizational skills through its three-year-old partnership with AchieveGlobal, formerly Zenger Miller, a division of the Times-Mirror Company that offers consulting services and training programs in leadership, teamwork, sales performance and customer service. |ret||ret||tab|

The expansion of courses is due in large part to a joint project in fall 1999 between OTC and Springfield ReManufacturing Corporation. |ret||ret||tab|

OTC's Customized Training Department staff, headed by Brenda Descamps, implemented a 25-week course in leadership development as part of a pilot project for both OTC and SRC. |ret||ret||tab|

"It was a very successful program," Perry Epperly, SRC's human relations/training manager. "SRC provided the training location and materials, OTC provided the instruction, and the employees improved their leadership skills without taking away from their time at home with their families. All participants indicated that they've gained knowledge of what it takes to become a leader in this company," Epperly said. |ret||ret||tab|

Epperly was the originator, while David Felin, an OTC customized training specialist, worked as project manager and creator of the 100-hour course, called the SRC Leadership Academy. |ret||ret||tab|

The idea, according to Epperly, was to present an opportunity for the employees who wanted to take their leadership and management skills to the next level.|ret||ret||tab|

"We felt that the people who chose to participate were beginning the process of distinguishing themselves from the crowd," said Epperly. "I was tremendously impressed by their commitment and desire to learn. I consider these people future champions at SRC." |ret||ret||tab|

The positive results spurred talks of future partnerships between OTC and SRC. Felin said a planning option is to continue to offer the program to SRC, with each session targeting a different division of the company.|ret||ret||tab|

"The possibility is there to offer it on an ongoing basis, an annual academy, if you will," said Felin.|ret||ret||tab|

Epperly said that he requested funding through his department to continue the courses and is awaiting its approval. |ret||ret||tab|

However before any classes are again offered, Felin said some tweaking may be needed. |ret||ret||tab|

"We want to try and reduce the scope a little bit, concentrating on the things that the client (SRC) found most beneficial to them," he said.|ret||ret||tab|

Epperly is helping Felin improve the sessions through one-on-one communication with those who have already taken the classes.|ret||ret||tab|

"We did ask the people what courses had the most value to them and will do it again after they've had an opportunity to use the knowledge in the workplace," said Epperly.|ret||ret||tab|

Epperly said SRC's human resources department will track the advancement of employees who completed the program during the next two years. According to Cindy Hinds, OTC's director of business and industry, that's the only way to gauge the return on such an investment.|ret||ret||tab|

"We're talking about behavior change, and that doesn't happen overnight," she said. "It's not a short-term answer. We have to be in it for the long haul."|ret||ret||tab|

Hinds credits SRC for its cooperation with OTC to offer the sessions.|ret||ret||tab|

"SRC went about this in the most professional manner I can imagine," she said. "They did everything right. We had all the elements, from great trainers with a great curriculum to a great partner in SRC."|ret||ret||tab|

Hinds said she feels that the most beneficial outcome of the program in her department has been the hope it has offered.|ret||ret||tab|

"We now see what is possible with a group of dedicated, eager-to-learn trainees," she said.|ret||ret||tab|

She also predicts more companies will contact OTC for help in organizational skills training, communication training and leadership training. In preparation, OTC has established a learning consortium that teaches the five core leadership principles of Zenger Miller, available through its partnership with AchieveGlobal.|ret||ret||tab|

"The AchieveGlobal partnership has been a perfect fit for us," said Hinds. "Because the job market is changing so quickly and employee retention is such a major issue, our clients were looking to us for assistance in the areas of communication."|ret||ret||tab|

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