Invest in Employee Growth with WCMA Fall Trainings

Encourage growth and drive productivity among your team members with a new fall lineup of Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association’s (WCMA) popular leadership trainings, offered both virtually and in-person. Details and registration for both WCMA Front-Line Leadership and Advanced Leadership classes are available now at WisCheeseMakers.org/Trainings. 

"Investing in education is a cost-effective way for dairy businesses to boost employee retention and improve their bottom line,” said Rebekah Sweeney, WCMA Senior Director of Programs and Policy.  “WCMA is proud to offer the training and support dairy processors’ valued leaders need to grow in their roles. Now, more than 500 of our member employees have completed our training series, and we’re thrilled to see the positive impact they’re making in their plants.” 

WCMA’s three-part Front-Line Leadership series is designed for 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 2023, Front-Line Leadership will be offered in both virtual and in-person formats. Virtual participants may choose from two tracks: 

• September 6: Part A - Essential Leadership Skills 
• October 11: Part B - Boosting Staff Performance 
• November 20: Part C - Cultivating a Team 

• September 26: Part A - Essential Leadership Skills 
• October 24: Part B - Boosting Staff Performance 
• November 29: Part C - Cultivating a Team 

Attendees who prefer an in-person experience may join the trainings in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin on three dates: 

• September 11: Part A - Essential Leadership Skills 
• October 17: Part B - Boosting Staff Performance 
• November 28: 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 19 will push attendees to take initiative in driving change and generating positive results for their company. On Wednesday, November 1, Part 2 will focus on the development and application of a creative and collaborative problem-solving process. Finally, Part 3 on Wednesday, January 10, 2023 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 20 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.

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 Rebekah Sweeney at rsweeney@wischeesemakers.org.