Invest in Employee Growth with WCMA Fall Leadership Trainings

Encourage growth and boost productivity among your dairy processing staff with a fresh lineup of Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association’s (WCMA) popular leadership trainings, offered both virtually and in-person. Details, registration, and sponsorship opportunities for WCMA’s Front-Line Leadership and Advanced Leadership classes are available now at WisCheeseMakers.org/Trainings. 

"The most valuable part of any dairy plant – and the most impactful place processors can invest in their operation – is its people,” said Rebekah Sweeney, WCMA Senior Director of Programs and Policy. “WCMA is proud to offer the training and connections industry leaders need to maximize their professional growth. More than 1,000 WCMA member employees have completed our leadership trainings to date and have gone on to make immeasurable impacts in their plants.” 

WCMA’s three-part Front-Line Leadership series benefits both new and seasoned supervisors in the dairy processing industry. Part A encourages attendees to evaluate their current leadership skills and find opportunities for growth. Part B focuses on practical ways emerging leaders can elevate their teams’ work performance. In Part C, students explore strategies to drive productivity by cultivating a positive, team-oriented environment. 

 In fall 2024, Front-Line Leadership is available virtually and in-person. Virtual participants can choose from two tracks: 

• September 10: Part A - Essential Leadership Skills 

• October 8: Part B - Boosting Staff Performance 

• November 6: Part C - Cultivating a Team 

• September 17: Part A - Essential Leadership Skills 

• October 22: Part B - Boosting Staff Performance 

• November 19: Part C - Cultivating a Team 

 Attendees can also join the trainings at WCMA’s offices in Madison, Wisconsin for an in-person experience, exclusively sponsored by Nelson-Jameson: 

• September 11: Part A - Essential Leadership Skills 

• October 10: Part B - Boosting Staff Performance 

• November 18: Part C - Cultivating a Team 

Front-Line Leadership classes may be taken in any order. These affordable sessions are available a la carte at just $135 per person, per part for virtual participants or $159 per person, per part when completed in-person. 

WCMA’s highly rated Advanced Leadership Series will be offered online, allowing mid-level managers and employees transitioning to such positions to join each session from anywhere in the world. Part 1 on Tuesday, September 18 will push attendees to take initiative in driving change and generating positive results for their company. On Wednesday, November 20, Part 2 will focus on the development and application of a creative and collaborative problem-solving process. Finally, Part 3 on Tuesday, January 15, 2025 will detail the tools and strategies leaders can use to foster collaboration and resolve workplace conflict. 

Enrollment in the Advanced Leadership Series is limited to a small cohort of 22 individuals, who participate in all sessions together to better facilitate relationships. The course features guest speakers from industry discussing their leadership successes and challenges, and requires participants to complete a project demonstrating their new knowledge. The cost for the entire series is $549 per person. 

A range of impactful sponsorship opportunities are also available now for these popular courses, with benefits including reserved class spaces, recognition in promotions and during trainings, and access to class lists for follow-up. Businesses interested in connecting with dairy processing employees and showing their support for the industry can find full details now at WisCheeseMakers.org/Trainings. 

WCMA offers a variety of recruitment, onboarding, and training tools tailored to the dairy processing industry. For more information on these resources, or to join WCMA’s Workforce & Education Committee, please contact WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney at rsweeney@wischeesemakers.org.