It’s no secret that most workers need to acquire additional computer skills to excel in today’s workplace. “As organizations face stronger global competition, business leaders recognize that employee learning and skills development is more important than ever to grow and sustain a competitive advantage.” (The American Society for Training and Development’s (ASTD) 2005 State of the Industry Report). The International Association for Administrative Professionals (IAAP) indicates that the top skill sought by employers when hiring administrative professionals is computer expertise. The nature of the workplace is changing and all employees from CEOs and managers, to administrative assistants and general staff, need to stay technologically current in order to perform their responsibilities with maximum effectiveness and efficiency. Managers are beginning to do more clerical work such as keying in their own correspondence and more and more files are being stored electronically, while administrative assistants and secretaries are doing more professional work such as managing projects and conducting online research. With these shifts in responsibilities and duties, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that additional training, especially in regards to computer skills, is necessary for all levels in the workplace.

Computer training and development helps provide employees with opportunities to learn new skills and polish old ones. Through participation in regular training, good employees become even better. In addition, not only do they come away with sharpened skills, they also acquire the kind of self confidence that translates into greater on-the-job efficiency and productivity. Research published by ASTD shows that companies that spent an average of $900 per employee on training generated more than 30 percent more gross profit per employee than those firms that averaged $275 in training expenditure per employee.

Call a Corporate Training Advisor at 704-330-4660. We’ll work with you to set up a series of classes designed to meet the needs of your employees. Whether you determine there’s a need for maintaining electronic files or creating Access databases, we’ll help you set up a program that will allow your employees to take the classes they need to perform at the next level.

COMING SOON! Online computer skills assessments for Microsoft Desktop Applications.

Register now for CPCC's annual Career Fair on Tuesday, April 4th from 10am-3pm. It is one of the largest Career Fairs in the Charlotte Area, enabling employers to select from a diverse population of an expected 2,000 students and jobseekers. Don't miss out on this opportunity to recruit your trained workforce. For more information call Career Services at 704.330.6448 or 704.330.6551.

Save the date and plan to join us. The Charlotte Chamber Airport Area Council is presenting a panel discussion from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 30th at the Harris Conference Center. The topic will be "Resources for Workforce Development & Training". Plan to arrive by 11:00 to do some networking! Panelists will include Deborah Gibson of the Mecklenburg County Workforce Development Board; Bill Heitman, Director of Training Services at CPCC; and Alan Murdock, Acting Director for New & Expanding Industry and Focused Industrial Training. Come and find out what resources are available to your business for training and increasing the skills of your workforce.

Join us for a Joint Conference hosted by CPCC's Lifetime Learning Institute and the Council on Aging. The topic is "Can Business Boom as Boomers Retire?" 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM May 25th @ The Harris Conference Center.