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Through non-credit training, working adults have the flexibility to gain
in-demand skills and boost their resume.
Enrolling in non-credit training? All you need is an email address.
SPONSORED BY Southern CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY
Non-credit professional development is any learning experience without academic credit which doesn’t appear on an academic transcript. That means the training is not part of a degree or certificate program’s graduation requirements (though some non-credit options can be assessed for college credit that could go toward a degree). That also means you don’t need to go through the lengthy and complicated university application process to register.
In fact, at SCSU, all you need to enroll in non-credit professional development is an email address. Just register on the OWLL website. There are no application fees and no need to submit transcripts. And often, employers will pay for this workforce training; if you are unemployed, there are also opportunities for financial assistance through Connecticut’s workforce development boards — in fact, several in-demand IT certifications are currently being offered for free for many students through workforce funding.
Once you’re enrolled, you’ll find a vast catalog of programs offered in different formats, but all designed to optimize convenience for working individuals. These formats include in-person learning, live online learning, or pre-recorded online lectures and workshops that can be accessed on your schedule. Classes are also offered year-round, not just during the spring and fall academic calendar. And the trainers for these programs are all experts in their respective fields and include industry professionals as well as SCSU faculty and staff.
We are all lifelong learners, constantly expanding our base of knowledge and abilities. But in today’s workforce, there is a rapidly increasing need for employees to be agile in acquiring new skills to improve performance and satisfaction in their current jobs — and gear them up for advancement.
According to a 2023 study, three-quarters of employers indicated having trouble finding qualified workers; at the same time, 46% of Americans reported feeling underemployed, working jobs that don’t fully use their education or skills. A degree program is still a proven means to long-term success, but many prospective learners are opting for a more direct route to professional development. People, young and old, want targeted short-term professional development that will enable them to join the workforce as soon as possible or empower them to access new opportunities, further the careers they’ve already built, or perhaps switch fields entirely.
For individuals at any point in their working lives, Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) has created the Office of Workforce and Lifelong Learning (OWLL). The office offers non-credit and workforce training and a variety of low-cost professional development opportunities to build and refresh a learner’s skillset and connects learners to SCSU's undergraduate and graduate credit-level certificate programs. Programs like those offered at Southern’s OWLL empower lifelong learners to stay relevant in their industry, advance in their careers, expand future job prospects and increase their long-term earning power with minimal time commitment and cost. And in the process, these programs also help learners of all ages build confidence, meet new people through networking, improve critical thinking and creativity, and even expose them to new and exciting professional interests.
There are dozens of non-credit professional development programs that can help virtually anyone improve their abilities, bolster their resume, and improve their earning power and upward mobility. For more information, contact OWLL. Or you can view the current catalog and register on SCSU’s website.
At SCSU, non-credit professional development programs are designed to improve both soft and hard skills, such as teaching individuals working in the science industries to be better communicators or helping elementary school teachers keep up to date on the use of AI in the classroom. In fact, some of the most popular programs revolve around technology and its applicability to a wide range of high-growth careers, including:
The OWLL non-credit programs also include micro-credentials, which are industry-recognized competencies or skills in a highly specific area. While micro-credentials are usually smaller than certificates, they are sometimes “stackable,” which means they might go toward a higher-level certification. And while they will not appear on your academic transcript, you will receive a verifiable digital badge from SCSU upon completion. SCSU provides digital credentials through Credly, which can be added to your LinkedIn profile or put on your digital resume, showcasing proof of skill for prospective employers.
Southern has also partnered with several learning partners to offer career-building training, allowing you to go at your own pace, and log in anytime from anywhere to view interactive videos, exercises, games, case studies, and simulations. Some classes are available in English and Spanish; they are affordable (starting at $39 per training) and come with a digital badge once you’ve successfully completed.
Cutting-edge training options for today’s workforce — and tomorrow’s
Non-credit professional development is a quick and affordable way for anyone to expand their skillset and bolster their resume. Brian Wilson is the Cash Management Director in the Office of the Treasurer. He is a seasoned and experienced manager, but in his current role, he is the direct supervisor of several union employees, which was new to him.
So, when he looked at the 2024 State In-Service Training Program for state employees and saw “Supervision in a Union Environment,” he jumped at the opportunity. “The training provided interactive and thought-provoking case simulations for conducting a service rating and dealing with the process for dismissal, suspension, and other employee discipline,” says Wilson.
The training provided interactive and thought-provoking case simulations for conducting a service rating and dealing with the process for dismissal, suspension, and other employee discipline.”
AWS: Certified Cloud Practitioner — An eight-week program of twice-weekly virtual evening class sessions on the fundamentals of AWS services, backgrounds, features, and the knowledge needed to pass the AWS CCP exam.
Technical Communication in the Sciences — A five-week online training where you will learn to produce effective, instructive, and concise communication for the science workplace. This training features a variety of industry professionals who will guest lecture live, virtual sessions.
Google Project Management — A deep dive into entry-level project management skills, such as creating documents and artifacts. Through twice-weekly live online sessions, an industry expert will teach Agile basics, focusing on Scrum events, artifacts, and roles, along with real-world scenarios that will help improve communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
AI Fundamentals for Workplace Success — Are you curious about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the workplace? This six-week fully online class is designed for students and professionals who want to gain a fundamental understanding of AI and its practical applications in their everyday work. No prior technical knowledge is required.
Drone Academy — A five-module, non-credit program for enthusiastic hobbyists and working professionals interested in developing skills for drone operation, aerial photography and videography, FAA certification exam prep, and computational photography and 3D mapping.
Adults with Autism — A series of two-hour live online workshops featuring international experts on Adults with Autism.
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Broadening your abilities
Training also helps professionals strengthen soft skills, such as those that make for effective, thoughtful leaders in today's workplace. “I believe that self-advocacy and resiliency are crucial for women who manage and lead,” said Anarelis Cruz, an executive assistant at Connecticut State Community College Tunxis, who recently completed a Women’s Leadership & Resilience training.
“The biggest takeaway from the program for me was developing a strong network with other women in leadership throughout the state, pairing knowledge with skills to continue to be an effective leader and sharpening my skills on self-advocacy and resiliency.”