UO office professionals who are interested in sharpening their skills now have a new educational opportunity on campus.

The Classified Staff Training and Development Advisory Council, a group that works to support classified employees’ career development, has announced a new online learning track for office professionals. The curriculum is designed to help office professionals hone skill sets that requires diplomacy, critical thinking, database management and reporting, and customer service. 

Designed by Human Resources Professional Development, the Office Professional Learning Track focuses on the needs and interests of office specialists 1 and 2 and administrative program assistants. Pam Farmer, director of professional development programs, encourages anyone interested in improving their skills as office professionals to take advantage of this free educational opportunity.

According to the council, this professional development offering is the direct result of feedback from classified employees in a recent survey. Jody Bleisch, the council chair, said this is just the first effort to put the valuable ideas they received into action. He says the survey results will soon be posted on the council website.

Farmer reminds all employees that UO offers online learning through Skillport eLearning, which can be used at any time to increase knowledge and improve skills. She said employees are encouraged to explore training and development opportunities with their supervisor, but they don’t need approval to use the self-directed, computer-based learning opportunities. However, for training to be paid time, it must be assigned and approved by a supervisor.