Customized Training

What is Customized Training?

Customized Training is an opportunity for employers to hire Keene State College faculty to teach courses to their employees in job-related skills or professional enrichment.

Keene State College offers a wide range of Customized Training courses - from the use of popular computer software such as Microsoft Word or Quark XPress to career planning. Employers may assist in the design of the course, from subject matter to textbook selection, or may ask Keene State faculty and staff to structure the course.

Classes may take place at Keene State or at the job site. Some courses award college credits, some continuing education credits, some certificates, and some are non-credit courses.

Who benefits?

EMPLOYERS: Employers who offer Customized Training courses as a paid employee benefit reap improved efficiency and job loyalty from a better trained, better educated work force.

EMPLOYEES: Employees gain new job skills, improved resumés, and an appreciation of education as a life-long experience - benefits directly tied to their employer.

The Markem Story

“We’ve enjoyed two very positive customized training experiences with Keene State,” says David Hill, Director of Human Resources at Markem Corporation of Keene.

“The first course we offered was on long-range career planning for employees. It helped our employees focus on career goals, something that many of them had not given a lot of thought,” says Hill. “The employees were impressed that we allowed them to explore other career options. We benefitted by learning about their commitment to us and desire to move up in the corporate structure.”

Hill says there were many positive side-effects. “When employees take courses together, they tend to discuss the courses together, which improves communications on the job. Additionally, we know they are learning the same material and progressing at an even pace.”

Tricia Lorandeau, a designer and writer at Markem, took a course on the use of Quark XPress computer software. “I’ve always used PageMaker software,” says Lorandeau. “The concepts in QuarkXPress are similar. I learned enought to design and publish a newsletter and expand my design talents.”

“It’s a win-win situation for us,” says Hill. “Keene State makes it easy to offer the kind of educational training and benefits that appeal to our employees.”

How does Customized Training work?

Employers contact the Continuing Education Office to discuss course options.

Keene State designs the course, provides the appropriate professor, and schedules the course either at the KSC campus or at the job site.

Registration and all paperwork is handled through the Continuing Education Office.

Keene State provides academic support services and the awarding of credits or certificates.

Suggested Courses for Customized Training

Microsoft Word PageMaker Desktop Publishing Quark XPress Computer Aided Drafting Intro to Computers IBM/MAC Intro to MS-DOS Lotus 1-2-3 Reading Skills Development English as a Second Language Grant Proposal Writing Career Strategies Occupational Health & Safety Management Fund Raising Special Education Human Services Curriculum and Instruction

What is the first step?

To discuss customized training options, contact the Continuing Education office at 603-358-2290 or continuing-ed@keene.edu.