Regional Employer Support Network - Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Seminar
This seminar will discuss a broad range of Unemployment Insurance topics including: unemployment benefits eligibility (quits, discharges, misconduct, defining "suitable employment" for UI applicants, employer online self-service system(with a focus on the new benefits functionality), filing an appeal or raising an issue, covered vs. non-covered employment (owners, independent contractors, family, etc.), tax rates and experience ratings, taxable wages, submitting quarterly wage detail reports, and reporting unemployment fraud. Join us at CRI on Thursday, August 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Advance registration is required. More information is online.

What's New Word 2007?
The purpose of the course is to help the experienced Microsoft Word PC user transition quickly to Word 2007.The primary emphasis will be on the user interface but there will also be tips regarding some of the new functions available. This course is offered online from any computer with Internet access.  The course begins online August 10. Registration form and more information are online.

Northern Minnesota Safety Council Industrial Lift Truck Training
In this course you will learn Industrial Fork Lift Truck Training and Powered Industrial Truck Training.  This course meets the Federal OSHA training requirements standard 1910.178. After completing the Industrial Lift Truck Training course, you will receive a safety certification. This session will be held at North Central Door Company in Bemidji on Wednesday, August 19 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration form and more information is online.

FREE and open to the public:  "StrengthQuest"
Do you have the chance to do what you do best every single day? Chances are, you don't - in fact, only 20% of all people say that they are doing what they do best each day. And that is a national tragedy according to strengths expert, Marcus Buckingham. For the 20% who do play consistently to their strengths, they are six times more likely to be emotionally engaged on the job and three times more likely to report having an excellent quality of life in general. And that makes them better employees, less stressed, more passionate, more productive, and making significant, quality contributions to the organization. Everyone wins! Join DeAnna Murphy, instructor from Northland Community and Technical College, at CRI on Wednesday, September 9 from noon to 1 p.m. to learn more about how to capitalize on your and your team?s strengths.

Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance Building Operator Certification, Level 1
Building Operator Certification (BOC®) training includes nearly 80 hours of classroom and project work in building systems operation and maintenance. Each course in the series is completed in a one-day training session, except BOC 103 - HVAC Systems and Controls, a two-day course. To become certified, participants must pass an exam at the end of each day of training and complete assigned projects. Course will be offered beginning September 10 at Northwest Technical College. The cost of the training is $1,200.  Register online at www.boccentral.org. For more information about BOC training, please contact James Pena at (312) 784-7277 or jpena@mwalliance.org. Click here for the flyer. Ottertail Power customer employees will be reimbursed for the $1200 course fee if this course is taken and completed. For more information on this reimbursement, click here. 

Real Estate Sales Pre-Licensure Courses Offered
Real Estate is a dynamic industry that offers flexible job opportunities for energetic individuals with good people skills.  To become a licensed real estate person in Minnesota, you must complete 90 hours of pre-licensure training - Real Estate I, II and III.  You must also successfully pass the Real Estate Licensure exam.  After completing 90 hours of classroom instruction and passing the exam, you can apply for the Real Estate Salesperson License with the Minnesota Department of Commerce.  Pre-licensure courses will be delivered via ITV on the campus of Bemidji State University beginning September 15.  Click here for more information, full schedule and registration.

Northern Minnesota Safety Council NFPA 70E Introduction to Electrical Safety in the Workplace
This introductory course introduces the learner to the basic information needed to safely operate hazardous electrical equipment. Lunch will be provided. Join Steve Vietor, construction electrician instructor with over 16 years experience, on Wednesday, September 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CRI.  For more information or to register for this course, click here.

Residential Energy Auditor Training
This five-day course provides basic training in how to assess the potential for improving home energy efficiency and comfort. The Residential Energy Auditor program is suited for employees or individuals who are performing or interested in utility sponsored residential energy conservation audits and working with the low-income weatherization program. It also provides the technical skills for building contractors to add a residential energy efficiency line of business. A certification examination of the State of Minnesota's minimum qualifications for residential energy auditors will be included with the cost of registration. This course will be held September 21 through 25 at Northwest Technical College. This course is offered in partnership with Dunwoody College of Technology, Minnesota Department of Commerce, and U.S. Department of Energy. To register please go to http://www.dunwoody.edu/custom/energyaudit.html

Natural Resources Consortium Presents Information on Tree Genetics and Adaptations.
Presenting will be Carrie Pike, an employee of the University of Minnesota. This natural resources presentation will be held Monday, September 21 from 3 to 4 pm.  This free information and discussion session will be held at the CRI, 3801 Bemidji Avenue North, Suite 4.  The full schedule is online.

Succession Planning Course offered Online
Succession planning is a process of developing talent within the organization to meet needs now and into the future.  As the workforce is facing retirement of baby boomers, it is important to establish and implement a succession plan now.  Topics that will enable you to define, prepare and write a succession plan will be covered. This course is online beginning September 28 with instructor Brian Mathews. Registration form and more information are online. 

Human Resource Management-Performance Appraisals, Coaching, and Termination
This course addresses human resource topics including; reward systems, performance management, and retention from a strategic perspective. It will teach business managers how to retain good employees and coach for improved performance through the use of an employee performance management system. This course will discuss the importance of improving and correcting employee performance, as well as what to know when discipline and termination becomes necessary. This course is online beginning October 5 with instructor Lyndi Odegard.  Registration form and more information are online.

Grant Writing Course offered Online
This course will bring you through each step of writing a winning grant proposal, from the letter of intent to letters of support. You will learn how to write concise goals and needs statements, describe your organization and project/program, develop a budget, create an evaluation and project timeline, and collect supporting documents critical to the grant process. The course will take you through the Common Grant Application accepted by most foundations and giving organizations, and will give an overview of Federal grant formats. This course is online beginning October 5 with instructor Nate Dorr.  Registration form and more information are online.

Academy of Lifelong Learning is gearing Up for Fall Series
The Academy of Lifelong Learning is making final arrangements to begin the fall series of learning programs, which will begin in September.  Programs include "Recent Archeological Investigations in the Bemidji Area" to "Coya Knutson: U.S. Congresswoman 1954 to 1958", and so much more. The full schedule will be included with the fall newsletter due out later this month.  A highlight of this fall includes a Forest History Center Bus Trip on October 6th. More information about the bus trip can be found here.

The Basics of a New Position: Job Analysis to Hiring
Whether you need to create a new position or fill an existing one, this course will help you analyze your businesses needs and walk you through the entire process. Throughout the course you will develop a job description, improve your job application, create an ad posting the position, walk through the interview process-creating job appropriate interview questions and strategies to evaluate applications, and finally, you will learn about recruiting and hiring. This course is offered online beginning October 19 with instructor Lyndi Odegard.