Register Now for WCMA’s 2019-2020 Supervisor and Manager Training Programs

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today opened registration for upcoming offerings of educational programs designed to train and retain your most valued workers.  Reserve space now in the popular Front-Line Supervisor Training program and well-received Learning to Lead management series on WisCheeseMakers.org.

“So-called ‘soft skills’ are truly essential skills as our industry faces a continued workforce shortage,” said WCMA Communications, Education, and Policy Director Rebekah Sweeney.  “Front-line leaders have the ability to reduce conflict, increase productive communication, and foster a sense of belonging in a workplace, leading to higher employee retention rates.”

Highly recommended by past participants, WCMA’s Front-Line Supervisor Training program will be offered in three parts and in two locations: Madison and Eau Claire. The core class, Part A, is focused on leadership essentials, including decision making and problem solving. On October 22, 2019, Part A training will be held at Madison College-West Campus and on March 31, 2020, the day-long class will be held at Chippewa Valley Technical College-Gateway Campus.  Front-Line Supervisor Training Part B, focused on emotional intelligence, critical thinking, coaching, and performance feedback will be offered on November 12, 2019, at Madison College. Front-Line Supervisor Training Part C, focused on personal productivity and managing workplace stress, will be offered on March 17, 2020, at Madison College.  These classes have earned a cumulative satisfaction rating of 9.5/10 from past participants.

The classes that make up WCMA’s Front-Line Supervisor Training are offered à la carte, and can be taken in any order. Tuition costs just $129 per participant for courses hosted in Madison, and $159 for courses offered in Eau Claire. Materials, instruction, and meals are included.

WCMA also offers a program this Fall/Winter specifically developed for mid-level managers, or employees transitioning to such positions. The Learning to Lead management training series is offered in partnership with Madison College, via three workshops. The “Critical Thinking and Decision Making” session is set for September 17. “Effective Communications and the Building and Leading of Teams” will be held November 5, and a session entitled “Delegation, Talent Development, and Situational Leadership” is set for January 14, 2020.  Between each session, participants are asked to complete application projects between each workshop offering.

“WCMA’s Learning to Lead program teaches managers the skills they need to create more positive, productive work environments – and then pushes them to put those skills into practice,” said Sweeney.

Those enrolling in Learning to Lead would participate in all three sessions as a cohort. The cost for the entire series, including materials, instruction, and meals, is $495 per participant, and enrollment is limited to 20 individuals.  Past participants have rated this series as a 9.7/10.

Successful participants in the WCMA Front-Line Supervisor Training program or the Learning to Lead series will be recognized with a certificate at the 2020 CheeseExpo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

For more information or to reserve a space in WCMA trainings, visit WisCheeseMakers.org. You may also contact WCMA Communications, Education, and Policy Director Rebekah Sweeney at rsweeney@wischeesemakers.org or 608-286-1001.