Training & Development

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Operation Educate expands offerings, changes name to Employee Learning Services

September 29, 2006 – To better meet the changing needs of UK employees, Training & Development's Operation Educate program recently expanded its offerings. Operation Educate also took on a new name - Employee Learning Services - to better reflect its broader mission. When founded nearly 20 years ago, Operation Educate provided only basic literacy tutoring. The years that followed saw the addition of GED instruction, English as a Second Language learning opportunities and introductory computer training.  One important aspect of this relauch is the Employee Learning Services team's plan to take a more active role in helping employees advance along a personalized training program and advising them on ways to use educational gains to set and achieve new career goals. These new services include general career counseling, as well as resume and application assistance.

 

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Learn more about Employee Learning Services’ offerings:

Want to learn more about how we can help you or someone in your department?

Contact us today at 257-7911.
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According to Bill Verble, program manager, these changes will help UK employees better adapt to career opportunities and challenges. He cites the University's Top 20 Business Plan and the planned expansion of UK Hospital as creating potential opportunities for those with the right training and skills.

"ELS will support individual employees' efforts to advance their skills and education while also, over time, helping match those individuals with opportunities to support the mission and growth of our institution," Verble said. By providing a full continuum of training opportunities and career transition services on campus, Employee Learning Services hope to reach a broader range of employees than ever before.

Because Employee Learning Services operates as a program within Human Resources' Training & Development department, senior administrators see great potential for the new outreach effort accompanying the launch of this expanded program.

"By expanding its offerings, Employee Learning Services will further enhance UK's already strong support for staff development and advancement," said Kim Wilson, Associate Vice President for Human Resources.

Physical Plant Division Employee Takes Advantage of ELS Computer and GED Offerings

Sandra Creech, of UK’s Physical Plant Division, is an Employee Learning Services success story in the making. First, Creech successfully completed the Meet the Personal Computer course, taught by instructor Chris Mendenhall. Now, after several months of twice-weekly tutoring sessions with educational specialist Susan Dworkin, Creech is on the verge of successfully passing the state GED exam.

Creech credits Mendenhall and Dworkin for "making it seem easy." In turn, her ELS instructors are quick to cite Creech's knack for learning and dedication.Creech's twice-weekly tutoring sessions at the ELS office in Breckinridge have been encouraged by her supervisor, Elaine Green.

Sandra Creech of Physical Plant Division (center) with Chris Mendenhall (left) and Susan Dworkin (right) of Employee Learning Services

In fact, Creech attends one session each week during work hours and the other session on her own time - a great example of UK's support for the continuing education of its employees. It's clear, too, that Creech's positive outlook and newly acquired skills are an asset to her department, an inspiration to her co-workers, and a benefit to her work in Pence Hall each day.

In the short run, Creech is looking forward to the sense of accomplishment her GED will bring and to making full use of the computer skills she has acquired through ELS. Creech's determination reflects the ELS emphasis on the benefits of completing recommended courses of study, up to and including the University's Employee Education Program tuition waiver program. If their recent success is any indication, ELS staff will also be there for Creech as she explores current and future career opportunities. The milestones achieved by Creech and many other ELS students are a testament to the value Employee Learning Services delivers for individual employees and departments alike.

Learn More

To learn more, contact the Employee Learning Services staff by phone at (859) 257-7911 or visit in person at 203 Breckinridge Hall.

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Professional Development
123 Scovell Hall
Lexington, KY 40506-0064
Phone: (859) 257-9623
Fax: (859) 323-4815
Technology Training
207 McVey Hall
Lexington, KY 40506-0045
Phone: (859) 257-3856
Fax: (859) 257-4031
Employee Learning Services
203 Breckinridge Hall
Lexington, KY 40506-0056
Phone: (859) 257-7911
Fax: (859) 323-1866
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