Published on 7/7/2020.
College of the Redwoods is offering free online trainings on awareness, de-escalation, and assertiveness skills for workers interacting with the public.
Trainings will be offered through CR’s Workforce and Community Education Program from the middle of July through August 1 and are being paid for by CR’s Foundation.
“We were approached by Susan Seaman, the Mayor of Eureka, about the need for de-escalation trainings and this was echoed by community leaders on the COVID Economic Resilience Committee (CERC) weekly calls, being hosted by the North Coast Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission (RREDC),” said Marty Coelho, Executive Director of College Advancement and the CR Foundation.
“A large number of our businesses and organizations have a plan for all sorts of situations but we don’t plan to routinely deal with angry customers when things can get out of control. This collaborative effort between the CR’s Foundation and Community Education will provide clients with strategies for resolving those situations. It’s also another example of how CR is responding to the needs of our community,” said Keith Flamer, President of College of the Redwoods.
Susan Seaman, City of Eureka’s Mayor said, "With growing economic stress, political divisiveness, and so few answers about what to expect in the near future, people's nerves are frayed. We have heard time and again about customers taking it out on service providers. I'm so grateful that College of the Redwoods Foundation recognized that de-escalation and assertiveness training can be a valuable tool for employees to help them navigate this uncertain road."
CR’s free Awareness, De-Escalation & Assertiveness online trainings will be offered to the following industry groups: retail workers on Saturday, July 18 from 8:30 – 11 am; hospitality workers on Saturday, July 18 from 2 – 4:30 pm; grocery workers on Thursday, July 23 from 8:30 – 11 am; city/county frontline workers on Thursday, July 23 from 2 – 4:30 pm; and child care workers on Saturday, August 1 from 8:30 -11 am.
“We can train up to 25 workers for each industry group. Normally the class would cost at least $35 per person, but the CR Foundation will cover the $4,375 in fees for these classes,” said Coelho.
CR’s Workforce and Community Education Program partners with the community to contribute to the economic vitality of the region, provides workforce training to support local employers' needs, and provides lifelong learning opportunities within the Redwoods Community College District.
“The Workforce and Community Education Program is a valuable local asset. CR offers high quality trainings that can be quickly responsive to community needs, “ said Danny Kelley, Foundation board member and CR Board of Trustee’s Vice-President.
To register for CR’s free online trainings for Awareness, De-Escalation & Assertiveness, call CR’s Workforce and Community Education Program at 707-476-4500 or go to https://www.redwoods.edu/communityed/online. Space is limited.