WGA takes training initiative on the road
WGA takes training initiative on the road
SALINAS, CA -- Irvine, CA-based Western Growers Association has taken to the road to gauge support for its proposed Western Growers University, an initiative designed to tailor practical training for its members at a nominal cost to them and with little paperwork hassles.
WGA was to be hosting three informational seminars that detail its plans to provide state-subsidized training for its members. Western Growers human resource representatives will meet with California's Employment Training Panel in early 2007 in hopes of procuring a $1 million grant to launch Western Growers University.
WGA is encouraging its members to complete a "commitment form" that is available on-line at www.wga.com. The commitment form allows WGA to show ETP panelists that WGA is serious about training. WGA is seeking employers to commit $100 per employee for training over a two-year period as a further indication of interest to show ETP panelists.
WGA began its tour with its first at Hullaballoo Restaurant, here, Oct. 30. Stops were planned for Bakersfield, CA, Nov. 1 and Indio, CA, Nov. 3. It is the trade association's stated objective to become the premiere university for agricultural training.
Karen Timmins, WGA's vice president of human resources, dreamed up the concept of a university.
"To become a true learning organization, you must hire people who continue to develop, train or seek education," Ms. Timmins said. Anthony Magno, WGA manager of learning and development, joined Ms. Timmins on the Oct. 30 stop. Bill Parker, president of Laguna Niguel, CA-based National Training Systems and Sacramento, CA-based Steve Duscha, who offers training data and services, joined Ms. Timmins and Mr. Magno at the Salinas seminar.
The goal of the university is to create a learning environment where WGA employees and members can actively participate in cultivating core competencies, workplace performance and knowledge through learning and education. Representatives must present their plan to California's ETP.
The state's ETP is an agency that provides up to $85 million in job training funds annually to employers throughout the state. ETP is not designed to provide training materials. It is the employer's responsibility to determine what competencies are needed by its own workforce. The employer is not required to train a large group, such as 100 or 1,000 employees. Employers could utilize WGA's training program for 20 employees, for instance.
WGA would provide the trainers or sub-contract out the trainers. Since April, WGA's human resources arm has been establishing curriculum suitable for its employees and members. Members will have a chance to choose from a variety of topics including front-line supervision and communication, safety and computer skills. The training modules include planning, employment law, communication (do's and don'ts), managing (up and down) coaching, supervision, performance (appraisals) and situational leadership. In total, there are 18 courses designed to improve WGA workforce. All programs are available in Spanish.
Beyond the range of training topics, Western Growers University will feature the latest in technology as it relates to corporate training. WebEx, Lectora and LearnCenter will enhance traditional instructor-led training classes. The Learning Management System will become the platform for the universities programs, enabling students to self enroll, make on-line payments, participate in web-based courses and allow them to track their own progress.
"It pretty much automates the administration of training, everything from enrollment tracking all the way out to printing certificates," Mr. Magno said.
The success of WG University greatly will depend on the support of ETP. "We have to have some members behind us before we go before the panel," Ms. Timmins said. "We have this training available to you as a member, and it essentially could come to you free through the funding of the state."
WGA was to be hosting three informational seminars that detail its plans to provide state-subsidized training for its members. Western Growers human resource representatives will meet with California's Employment Training Panel in early 2007 in hopes of procuring a $1 million grant to launch Western Growers University.
WGA is encouraging its members to complete a "commitment form" that is available on-line at www.wga.com. The commitment form allows WGA to show ETP panelists that WGA is serious about training. WGA is seeking employers to commit $100 per employee for training over a two-year period as a further indication of interest to show ETP panelists.
WGA began its tour with its first at Hullaballoo Restaurant, here, Oct. 30. Stops were planned for Bakersfield, CA, Nov. 1 and Indio, CA, Nov. 3. It is the trade association's stated objective to become the premiere university for agricultural training.
Karen Timmins, WGA's vice president of human resources, dreamed up the concept of a university.
"To become a true learning organization, you must hire people who continue to develop, train or seek education," Ms. Timmins said. Anthony Magno, WGA manager of learning and development, joined Ms. Timmins on the Oct. 30 stop. Bill Parker, president of Laguna Niguel, CA-based National Training Systems and Sacramento, CA-based Steve Duscha, who offers training data and services, joined Ms. Timmins and Mr. Magno at the Salinas seminar.
The goal of the university is to create a learning environment where WGA employees and members can actively participate in cultivating core competencies, workplace performance and knowledge through learning and education. Representatives must present their plan to California's ETP.
The state's ETP is an agency that provides up to $85 million in job training funds annually to employers throughout the state. ETP is not designed to provide training materials. It is the employer's responsibility to determine what competencies are needed by its own workforce. The employer is not required to train a large group, such as 100 or 1,000 employees. Employers could utilize WGA's training program for 20 employees, for instance.
WGA would provide the trainers or sub-contract out the trainers. Since April, WGA's human resources arm has been establishing curriculum suitable for its employees and members. Members will have a chance to choose from a variety of topics including front-line supervision and communication, safety and computer skills. The training modules include planning, employment law, communication (do's and don'ts), managing (up and down) coaching, supervision, performance (appraisals) and situational leadership. In total, there are 18 courses designed to improve WGA workforce. All programs are available in Spanish.
Beyond the range of training topics, Western Growers University will feature the latest in technology as it relates to corporate training. WebEx, Lectora and LearnCenter will enhance traditional instructor-led training classes. The Learning Management System will become the platform for the universities programs, enabling students to self enroll, make on-line payments, participate in web-based courses and allow them to track their own progress.
"It pretty much automates the administration of training, everything from enrollment tracking all the way out to printing certificates," Mr. Magno said.
The success of WG University greatly will depend on the support of ETP. "We have to have some members behind us before we go before the panel," Ms. Timmins said. "We have this training available to you as a member, and it essentially could come to you free through the funding of the state."
