Spring 2023 Class Registration

Register below for the Spring 2023 offerings for the Partnership for Worker Education classes.

We're using a new form, so please note:

1. Indicate your TOP THREE choices for classes by selecting "1" for your first choice, "2" for your second choice, and "3" for your third choice:

2. And don't forget to hit "Submit" at the bottom of the form! 

If you have any problems or questions, please email us at pwe@umass.edu or reach us through our contact form.

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Class Offering for Spring 2023

Computer Classes
Thursdays, 9-11 a.m., 4 sessions March 23 – April 13, Room 210, Dickinson Building
Good UMass jobs require more technical skills than ever before including remote work due to covid. In this beginner 4-week class, you will get a quick introduction to MS WORD & Excel apps and practice creating documents and spreadsheets to make you financially smart. Even if you don’t own a computer, this class will boost your computer skills and confidence. -Fran Fortino, instructor
*NOTE: Course is full* Thursdays, 5 sessions: 9-11 a.m., April 20-May 18, Room 210, Dickinson Building
Learn to track your finances and keep a budget in this 5-week class. We will cover the basic functions and terminology of MS Excel, the most used spreadsheet app. You will learn worksheet data entry, editing and formatting; saving and printing options; basic formulas and functions; and a few chart options. Topics may be added based on participant needs. - Fran Fortino, instructor
*NOTE: Course is full* Thursdays, 12 – 2 P.M., 5 sessions April 20-May 18, Room 210, Dickinson Building
Build on your knowledge of Excel and learn more functions and formatting tricks. This 5-week intermediate Excel class will cover more complex and useful functions, cell and conditional formatting, linking worksheets, and pivot tables. You’ll learn how to format worksheets effectively, use Excel functions, including IF, VLookup & Match, and create pivot tables to make your data easier to understand. Prerequisite: basic knowledge of Excel. -Fran Fortino, instructor
Fridays, 10 – 11:30 3 Zoom sessions: March 3, 10 and 24
Learn how use PowerPoint’s powerful tools to create a professional presentation quickly and with ease. You will learn how to use templates, themes, and Designer. Themes and templates help you to create professional looking presentations without all the manual formatting, saving you precious time. There are hundreds of free themes and templates available for use or you can create and share your own. Some familiarity of PowerPoint is required. Please feel free to contact me via email at hmorgan125@gmail.com if questions or concerns arise. Instructor: Heather Morgan
Friday, 10:00 – 11:30 AM Zoom on April 7 and 14
Canva is a free online graphic design platform that can be used to create business cards, Zoom backgrounds, flyers, presentations, lesson plans, and more. Need to collaborate with others on a project? With Canva you can. Share your design and allow others to view or edit your project. You can even upload and edit your own photos. You will learn how to use the Canva drag and drop interface to create your own design or modify one of Canva’s free templates. Instructor: Heather Morgan
Friday Time: 10 – 11:30 Zoom on April 21, 28 and May 5
Have you ever wondered how you can create unique labels, customized envelopes and create personized letters. By using MS Word’s Mailings tools, you can. Mail Merge allows you to produce multiple letters, labels, envelopes, name tags, and more using information stored in a list, database, or spreadsheet. Word’s Write & Insert Fields tools allow you to insert in multiple letters unique customized fields such as a name, address, greeting, and more. Think of the time and energy you will save. There will be opportunity to practice what you have learned. We will go slow and leave no one behind. Familiarity with Word required. Please feel free to contact me via email at hmorgan125@gmail.com if questions or concerns arise. Instructor: Heather Morgan
Two recurrences of this hour-long webinar: Wednesday, March 22, 12-1pm, or Thursday, April 20, 12-1pm
If you’re new to Microsoft Teams, or are migrating from Box or Google Drive, learn about OneDrive, how it stores files, how to use it in Teams and across UMass, in this 1-hour webinar over Zoom. Jeff Napolitano, instructor
Tuesday, February 28, 2-3pm
This webinar is an introduction to Microsoft Teams and will focus on this application as an essential workplace tool. Increasingly, colleges and departments, here on campus, are encouraging staff to explore all that Microsoft Teams has to offer. Over Zoom. Jeff Napolitano, instructor
Introduction to MS Word in person Wednesdays, 1 - 3 PM, 4 sessions: March 9 - March 30, Room 210, Dickinson Building
Learn the core and most commonly-used features in this 4-week class. We will cover the basic functions and terminology of MS Word. You will learn how to create documents, dynamic page layouts, formatting tools, and more. Topics may be added based on participant needs. — Heather Morgan, instructor
Mondays, 1 - 3 PM, 4 sessions: April 3 – April 24, Room 210, Dickinson Building
Learn the basics of Microsoft Access and database structure in this 4-week class. We will cover things like basics of tables, queries, relationships – and more. Topics may be added based on participant needs. — Heather Morgan, instructor
Respectful Workplace Classes

Creating a Respectful Work Environment
Check https://www.umass.edu/humres/respectful-workplace-training for spring dates The University of Massachusetts is committed to promoting inclusive workplaces, ensuring all employees understand their role in creating a respectful work environment, and providing information on the resources and procedures available to address concerns. The workshop explores strategies to cultivate inclusion and belonging to build a culture of respect at UMass. —Facilitated by Partnership for Worker Education and Workplace Learning and Development

Workplace Wellness
Tuesdays, 5 sessions: February 21 to March 28 (no class on March 14), 12 – 1 PM 205 Bartlett or on Zoom 
Join us for a 5-week mindfulness class, where we will learn mindfulness practices for focusing and stress reduction and explore resources to support your wellbeing. This class is in person, but we may be able to let you view the class on Zoom. — Leslie Fraser, instructor  
*NOTE: Course is full* Tuesdays, 12 – 1 PM, 5 sessions: April 4 to May 2, on Zoom or view in Room 205 Bartlett
Take an hour a week to improve your workplace wellness. A study in the March 2019 issue of Occupational Medicine concluded that yoga has a positive effect on health in the workplace, particularly in reducing stress. This 5-week class will focus on yoga practice to support you at work and beyond. Wear comfortable clothing that will let you stretch. — Nancy Paglia, instructor, with more than 30 years of experience in workplace wellness
2 sessions: Tuesday, 1 – 3 PM, March 14 and Thursday, 1 – 3 PM, March 16, location to be announced
Do you wonder how to support those close to you who have mental health issues including suicidal thoughts? Information is a powerful tool that everyone can use to help create more caring communities where they live and where they work. As an employee of UMass we would like to provide you with two workshops that include information about mental health struggles including but not limited to suicide facts and risk factors, statistics, warning signs, and responses. Together, we will explore ways to cultivate belonging, build a culture of hope, and practice strategies to respond to mental health struggles at UMass. This training is limited to 30 participants.  — Facilitated by the UMass Center for Counseling and Psychological Health
Community Engagement
Wednesday, April 26, 10:30 AM – 12 PM, Room 205 Bartlett
Are you caring for an older person you love, or wondering who will take care of you as you age?  You are not alone. Several local groups have formed “villages” up and down the Pioneer Valley to help care for their older neighbors. In this workshop, you will learn about these local “villages” and the support services they provide, like rides to medical appointments and shopping, household and technology help, friendly check-ins, and social activities. Everyone is welcome!  — Fran Fortino, instructor, and others
Writing & Communication
Thursdays, 1:30 – 3 PM, 8 sessions: February 23 to April 20 (no class March 16), Room 508 Goodell 
What does belonging mean to you? In this 8-session class, we will explore this year’s Building Bridges theme of belonging and create our own writing to share with the UMass community. You will have the option of sharing your writing during the Building Bridges Showcase on April 4. Everyone is welcome—bring a computer or a notebook and pen with you, and let’s write together. — Leslie Fraser and Danielle Pappo, instructors 
Tuesdays, 10 – 11:30 AM, 3 sessions: March 7, March 21, March 28, Room 205 Bartlett
Let’s explore communication skills that can help you move through difficult conversations. We will learn to respond rather than react by using deep listening, inquiry, feedback, and finding common ground, as we try out different communication methods. — Leslie Fraser, instructor
Tuesdays, 10 – 11:30 AM, 2 sessions: April 4 and April 11, Room 205  Bartlett
In this 2-session continuation of Communication 1, we will practice giving and receiving feedback, engaged listening, and communicating across cultural and interpersonal differences. Take both classes or sign up for this class alone if you just want to focus on practicing your skills and preparing for important conversations. — Leslie Fraser, instructor  
Career Growth & Learning
Friday, 1 – 2:30 PM, March 31, on Zoom or view in Room 205 Bartlett
In this presentation, we will discuss the basics of LinkedIn and how you can use it to achieve your career goals. Whether you are looking to find a new role, make a career pivot into another industry, learn about new educational opportunities, or relocate, we’ll share tips to help you get there. — Sarah Offenbach, instructor, director of UMass Alumni Career Services
Tuesdays, 10 – 11:30 AM, 2 sessions: April 18 and April 25, Room 205 Bartlett  
Are you wondering about next steps in your work life? Do you want to learn some tools to help you figure out the best options for you? The world of work is changing, and workers can access career development and assessment information, and research websites that will help in career, education, and life planning. This 2-session class will help you define your job prospects and offer reality checks along the way. — Leslie Fraser, instructor  
Tuesday, May 2, 10 – 11:30 AM, Room 205 Bartlett
Learn how to create a résumé that works for you, craft a cover letter that promotes your strengths and skills, practice interviewing, and gather tips on putting your best self forward in the world of work. — Leslie Fraser, instructor 
Tuesday, May 9, 10 – 11:30 AM, Room 205 Bartlett
Learn about some of the benefits that don’t show up on your pay stub: education opportunities, scholarships, recreation opportunities, reduced fees and discounts for events, museums, restaurants… and more! These are benefits offered through the University as well as through labor unions AFSCME, USA/MTA, and PSU/MTA. — Leslie Fraser, instructor
Contact Leslie Fraser for an appointment: 413-545-1600, 508-224-8281 or lfraser@umass.edu
Now that spring is on the horizon, are you wondering if you need a new skill set? Would you like some help with work and education goals? Are you planning to start an apprenticeship, technical training, or college program and need some support for going back to school? Help with résumés is also offered. Make an appointment with Leslie Fraser.  
Building Bridges
Thursdays, 1 – 2 PM, February 2 to May 11, hybrid (on Zoom and occasionally in person)
This course brings together worker artists to get to know each other and to explore the ways in which they can showcase the talents of worker artists on campus. Participants will be planning for different exhibitions on campus—including our Annual Showcase Event on April 4th—and how to increase the visibility of worker artists, their art and their experiences on campus and beyond. Our theme this semester centers on the question, what does belonging mean to you? Anyone in the UMass staff community interested in being a part of this course is encouraged to sign up. — Joe Connolly and Jacob Carter, facilitators
Wednesdays, 11 AM – 12 PM, February 1 to May 10, Room 303 Goodell
This course brings together immigrant employees to get to know each other and to discuss ways they would like to amplify their voice and visibility. Participants and facilitators will work together using Photovoice—where participants take photos to highlight important issues in their lives and stimulate dialogue—and create a display that will be showcased and presented to the campus community. Anyone in the UMass staff community interested in being a part of this course is encouraged to sign up. — Jacob Carter, facilitator
Wednesdays, 1 - 2 PM on Zoom, Four sessions, 2/22, 3/1, 3/8 and 3/15
Drawing on our campus commitment to Building a Community of Dignity and Respect, this project helps to reveal the interconnectedness of workers’ rights with all aspects of human rights, while showing the ways in which people can come together to advocate for the dignity and respect of everyone. Each semester we offer a course, accompanied by a public film screening and community dialogue, that invites UMass staff members to explore a particular aspect of worker rights. This semester we are looking at equity. What does equity mean? Join us as we build an understanding of history, current trends, and your own experiences with equity in the workplace and beyond. We'll take an in-depth look at several initiatives with equity issues at their core, and we encourage your participation as we define this topic together and from a variety of perspectives. — Pat Greenfield and Jacob Carter, facilitators
English for the Workplace
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 – 3 PM, February 21 to May 4, Room 205 Bartlett
Are you comfortable understanding and speaking English at work? Join this class to improve your ability to understand and ask about information at work and in your daily life. You will also practice speaking English to strengthen relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and others. Basic computer and smartphone technology instruction included. — Midori Tabery, instructor
Mondays and Wednesdays, 1 – 3 PM, February 20 to May 3, Room 205 Bartlett
Can you understand and read English but struggle to speak and write easily? In this class you will continue to improve your speaking and writing skills and learn to read different types of texts. Lessons will focus on topics and skills you need to communicate more effectively and confidently at the workplace and beyond. — Jessica Hesse, instructor
Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:30 – 6:30 PM, February 20 to May 3, Room 205 Bartlett
This mixed-level English class is geared to the needs of custodial workers. Lessons focus on your work and daily life to help you improve the four communication skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. You will also use basic computer and smartphone technology to support at-home learning, such as WhatsApp and online language learning resources. — Jessica Hesse, instructor
Mondays and Wednesdays, 2 – 4 PM, February 20 to May 3, Franklin DC
Do you have questions at work but don’t know how to ask in English? In this mixed-level class you’ll improve your language skills for better communication and confidence in food service and in daily life conversations. We will make lessons for each person’s level of English. Instruction is step-by-step with lots of support. You can also review your skills outside of class. — Midori Tabery, instructor
Tuesdays and Fridays, 2 – 4 PM, February 21 to May 5, Hampshire DC
Do you have questions at work but don’t know how to ask in English? In this mixed-level class you’ll improve your language skills for better communication and confidence in food service and in daily life conversations. We will make lessons for each person’s level of English. Instruction is step-by-step with lots of support. You can also review your skills outside of class. — Glorimar Estevez, instructor
Career Ladder Classes for Facilities and Campus Services Employees Only
This Career Ladder program is for Facilities and Campus Services employees (Physical Plant custodial, Physical Plant grounds staff, and Residential Life custodial staff) who are covered by a UMass/AFSCME collective bargaining agreement. The Career Ladder program continues to be very active with new apprenticeship opportunities, new trainings, and new courses. It provides a clear pathway for moving up at the workplace. Workers build up their skills through trainings and educational programming. In doing so, they increase their chances for promotion. This is a joint partnership effort between the union and management.
By appointment: zoom, facetime, video chat, telephone, or in person.
If you need help updating or creating a résumé for a job at UMass, contact Leslie Fraser for an appointment: 508-224-8281 or lfraser@umass.edu
By appointment: zoom, facetime, video chat, telephone, or in person.
If you need help learning about and discussing options for your career at UMass, contact Leslie Fraser for an appointment: 413-545-1600, 508-224-8281 or lfraser@umass.edu
Dates and time to be announced
Are you interested in learning more about the different kinds of trades work that happens here on campus? This is an opportunity to attend a series of info sessions on the different trades. This is an ongoing series and invites you to consider your own interests and skill sets that could help you to prepare for work in the trades. Jacob Carter, facilitator
Dates and times to be announced
Are you interested in maintenance trades but haven’t had the chance to learn or practice essential skills? These workshops will give you the opportunity to learn about and practice using essential tools used in the trades such as measuring tapes, electric drills, electric screwdrivers, saws, and more. This is an ongoing series led by skilled UMass staff members and a great opportunity for anyone interested in upcoming apprenticeship opportunities. Facilitators, Thomas Fydenkevez, Becky Walton and others
Career Ladder Classes for Auxiliary Enterprises Employees Only
January 2023 training sessions
This 10-session hybrid (in person and online) course intends to provide employees an opportunity to learn and review basic conversational English related specifically to work in the kitchen. This course introduces new vocabulary pointing at location of produce and equipment in pantries and kitchens and includes on site orientation to help employees regardless of their English level. While the course targets employees at an initial English level (employees with little or no knowledge of English), the online format allows each employee to practice and advance at their own pace.
This 1-session course intends to support internal organizational communication to raise employees’ confidence and provide foundational computer skills required for fluent communication within the organization.
This 1-session course intends to create a positive introduction to the organization by providing clear job expectations, rules and procedures.
(For participants in the new CommCorp project)
Individualized support provided during application and initial stages of introduction to the workplace.