Education

C M Y K PAGE 12 Prepare for your future with Extended Education Keep Learning. Online from anywhere in Canada. Register now for January courses umextended.ca Keep learning online from anywhere in Canada with us As the pandemic persists and we all continue to face disruption to our lives, one thing is certain. Extended Education at the University of Manitoba is here for you, to help you prepare to move forward in your life and career. This winter, study online, part-time with us, from the safety and comfort of your own home. You'll be in good company. Many people keep learning with us. In fact, in October, Extended Education celebrated its virtu- al (online) fall convocation, recognizing 305 graduates from 19 different pro- grams including part-time programs like Management and Administration, Human Resource Management, and Municipal Administration. For example, the Municipal Administration program is one of our partnership pro- grams that connect us with our commu- nity. It is offered in long-time partnership with the Manitoba Municipal Administra- tors' Association. Executive director, Adri- enne Bestland, says, "The program arms our members with the ability to do a very difficult task, being Chief Administrative Officers of municipalities. It's a specific skill set that isn't necessarily acquired in any other program." Three grads share how they are now facing the pandemic, with the power of their new UM Certificate in Manitoba Municipal Ad- ministration (CMMA). As David Mandzuk, Acting Dean, Extended Education told his fall graduates, "Although there is much uncertainty that lies ahead, we have faith that all of you will be able to navigate any turbulence that lies ahead thanks to what you have learned in Extended Education." Jodi Thorkelsson, West Interlake Municipal Administration graduate, Jodi Thorkels- son is the administra- tive assistant for the Rural Municipal- ity of West Interlake. She was born and raised in Ashern, Manitoba. "The biggest challenge we've had is the constant release of updated health-care recommendations, how we'll be moving forward doing munic- ipal operations. Now we have a lot more procedures and guidelines to make sure everyone is safe," says Thorkelsson. A friend originally suggested Thorkelsson apply for the job in the municipality. She's been there for a few years now and really enjoys it. "The program helps me be a better administrator." More specifically, she built on her knowl- edge of municipal administration, gover- nance, and budgeting. Having to prepare a budget was new to her, and she says she felt very prepared having taken the Munic- ipal Finance course. "In municipal government, we're pretty quick to adapt. So I feel like COVID was just another one of those things that just pop up and you know, you just take the information you have and go from there." Laurel-Lee Kidd, Selkirk Municipal Administration graduate, Laurel-Lee Kidd is an accounting clerk for the City of Selkirk. She lives in Sel- kirk, Manito- ba. "For me, I think, for the biggest challenge for municipal- ities on COVID is making sure that they are keeping their citizens safe and their municipality boundaries safe and making sure they're adjusting their budget accord- ingly for any losses that may be happening because of the COVID," says Kidd. With the program, she increased her knowledge of the various acts that govern how a municipality operates including The Municipal Act. She adds her UM certifi- cate to her resumé, eagerly using her new knowledge in her work. Kidd shared her graduation with her two young sons, eager to let them know that yes, you can continue your education and graduate from a program later in life. She also inspired her husband to consider continuing his education and moving into a new career, encouraging him to start looking at Extended Education. "What I see are the numbers of what COVID is actually costing the city. So we've actually been lucky enough that we are almost pretty on par of not losing money because of COVID for some of our programming where as there are other municipalities by us that we are seeing are having really negative effects because of COVID." Paul Boily, La Broquerie Municipal Administration graduate, Paul Boily is administration and finance clerk for the Rural Munic- ipality of La Broquerie. He was born, raised, and continues to live in La Broquerie, Manitoba. "Every part of how we operate has had to adapt to this and it's been a challenge. Until now the public could easily come in and voice their con- cerns in-person and so on, and those are the things we need to make sure don't get lost here. We still want the public engaged with their municipality and having their concerns heard," says Boily. Boily considers his municipality like one big family and enjoys his work, doing something to help his community. His Chief Administration Officer encouraged him to take the program and he was glad he did. "Graduating was very enriching and it is something I will cherish for a long time. I grew as a person in the municipal world both personally and professionally." These grads have done it. You can too. May their success inspire you to learn more about our online, part-time programs today. Keep Learning. Online from anywhere in Canada. As we have learned, there is no way to predict the future but you can embrace it and plan for change with online learning. We have the quality courses and programs to help you move forward in your life and in your career. Register now for January courses APPLIED COUNSELLING Explore the counselling process and learn to develop effective counselling strategies so you can help others. E-LEARNING LETTER OF ACCOMPLISHMENT Stay ahead of the curve. Discover and apply the advantages of E-Learning. Choice of teaching or design stream. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Become a leader in HR with innovative courses that correspond with the HR competency framework– providing eligibility for the CPHR designation. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT FOR ADULT LEARNERS Meet the growing need for adult educators and trainers, and learn how to design and develop effective adult learning programs. BUSINESS ANALYSIS Become a business analyst or apply business analysis in your profession. Offered in partnership with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Take the next step in your management career with an academic credential and a nationally recognized professional designation to add to your resume. CHANGE MANAGEMENT Enroll in the only Change Management credential offered by an academic/postsecondary institution in Manitoba. QUALITY MANAGEMENT Learn how to lead the transition from quality control to quality excellence. Quality Management tools can be applied in any industry. umextended.ca/online or call 204 474 8800 today FOLLOW US ON UMExtended.ca/Online

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