Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — Career Skills Institute at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) School of Extended Learning offered one of its most popular, tuition-free certificates at the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD) Employment Office in Santa Barbara as part of a pilot program and in collaboration with the local “One Stop” (America’s Job Center, California). For those seeking to improve workplace skills this summer, Extended Learning and the One Stop are teaming up again to offer a new opportunity this month.
Local job seekers completed three classes at the EDD office to earn the popular Customer Relations Certificate, to gain a deeper understanding of communication skills and how they relate to quality customer service. SBCC Extended Learning’s Career Skills Institute is following up on the pilot program by offering the Thrive and Survive in the Workplace Certificate, beginning May 8 with the first of a four-class series.
“Bringing these classes directly to individuals at a familiar location, our goal is to remove barriers that could prevent our community from accessing valuable skills,” said Jeanette Chian, Associate Director, SBCC School of Extended Learning. “Best of all, these are the same amazing instructors and programs you’d find on our campus, and now job seekers can access this information conveniently in the same spot where they’ll find their next job.”
The Thrive and Survive in the Workplace Certificate enables students to develop professional etiquette techniques and self-management strategies. The certificate is made up of four classes that can also be taken on their own. Classes are open to anyone, and are held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the EDD, 130 East Ortega Street, Santa Barbara, on the following dates:
- June 8 Professional Etiquette CRN 21086
- June 22 Championing Diversity in the Workplace CRN 21087
- July 6 Secrets of a Great Employee CRN 81482
- July 20 Accountability CRN 81438
Application is required and can be completed online at sbcc.edu/ExtendedLearning or in person at the SBCC Wake Campus, 300 N. Turnpike Rd., or Schott Campus, 310 W. Padre St. For more information, contact csi@sbcc.edu or call (805) 683-8282
The SBCC Career Skills Institute also offers the Customer Relations Certificate this summer at the SBCC Wake Campus. Courses in this certificate teach students an adaptive approach to working with different personality styles, how to offer strategic customer service, and how to problem solve using a collaborative techniques. The three classes in the certificate are offered 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the following dates (SBCC Wake Campus is located at 300 N. Turnpike Rd.):
- July 12 Personality Styles and Difficult Relationships CRN 81250
- July 18 The Art of Negotiating and Collaborating CRN 81071
- July 24 Best Practices in Customer Service CRN 81249
Career Skills Institute certificates include digital badges that can be posted in online profiles such as LinkedIn, websites and resumes to easily showcase competitive skills to employers. Daytime, evening, and weekend classes fit any schedule.
The EDD is one of the largest state departments, with employees at hundreds of service locations throughout the state, including Santa Barbara at 130 E Ortega St. For more than 70 years, the agency has connected millions of job seekers and employers in an effort to build the economy of the Golden State.
Career Skills Institute at Santa Barbara City College: The SBCC Career Skills Institute is part of programs offered through the SBCC School of Extended Learning. It launched in 2015 to address the growing gap between the skills employers need and the current lack of workforce skills. The innovative program is endorsed by LinkedIn® and serves job seekers, employers and employees with tuition–free certificate programs to provide career training for employees and job seekers. Participants can earn certificates and digital badges demonstrating knowledge and skills in over 25 areas of business, design and technology. For more information, visit www.sbcc.edu/csi or call (805) 683-8282. To learn more about the SBCC School of Extended Learning, visit www.sbcc.edu/ExtendedLearning
About Santa Barbara City College: Founded in 1909, Santa Barbara City College currently serves approximately 15,000 students each semester who enroll in courses for transfer preparation, career education, and foundational skills. SBCC was the 2013-2015 national co-winner of the prestigious Aspen Institute Prize for Community College Excellence. The college was recognized for its quality and focus in four areas: facilitating underrepresented and minority student success, student learning outcomes, degree completion and transfer rates, and labor market success in securing good jobs after college.
Our Mission: As a public community college dedicated to the success of each student…
Santa Barbara City College provides students a diverse learning environment that inspires curiosity and discovery, promotes global responsibility and fosters opportunity for all.