EDUCATION GUIDE
SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2025
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UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
Workforce development is no longer optional To remain competitive and retain talent, invest in your employees with professional development
A recent labour market survey by the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce finds “perceptions of the current labour market are not improving and it’s having an effect on business.” Among the concerns reported by Manitoba businesses, “There is a need for additional training and upskilling. It is difficult to attract good talent. It is difficult to find candidates with the right skills.” Partnerships It is not easy running a business, working hard to maintain and grow your organiza- tion, and finding professional development for your staff. But you don’t have to do all of it alone. University of Manitoba (UM) Extended Education’s Business Develop- ment team is working with companies and organizations from across the province to understand your needs and support you in providing further education, created with the expertise of the university, industry, and community. In today’s competitive world, a strategic plan to support employee growth is not op- tional. To remain competitive and retain tal- ent, you must invest in your employees with professional development. Professionals demand a good career and quality of life. “If their employer is not offering profes- sional development, employees will move on,” says Yvonne Kinley, Director of Busi- ness Development, UM Extended Educa- tion. “A workforce development plan is key.” Investing in talent to build capacity A workforce development plan considers the careers needed in the organization in- cluding their specific skills and competen- cies, and if current staff have them. It clos- es gaps. It asks what is missing and what is needed. The goals are to increase the skills and capacity of current staff, do succession planning, and attract new talent. In addition to skills and training, pro- fessional development increases an em- ployee’s confidence and enhances their
impression of the organization and their commitment to its success. “Most businesses have a workforce de- velopment plan, but the formality of it var- ies. Human Resource skills are needed to manage them,” says Kinley. HR training For those who would like to build this ex- pertise in-house, she suggests UM Extended Education’s Certificate in Human Resource Management. Accredited by CPHR Manito- ba, the program trains HR professionals and prepares them to apply for professional cer- tification. And when someone is preparing for pro- motion, you want to ensure you provide them with adequate training for their new role. Management training For managers, the Certificate in Applied Management (CAM) is one that can be cus- tomized to meet your needs, says Kinley. For example, a non-profit social services agen- cy within the community was looking for management programming and found their answer with their own customized version of CAM. UM certificates are long recognized as quality education in their industries, says Kinley. They go beyond short webinars and workshops, with deeper content offered in a flexible format, online from anywhere. Sev- eral also offer an applied learning compo- nent, for real-world industry experience. Courses to develop skills and competencies UM Extended Education courses offer targeted training and the opportunity to get started on a professional development journey or credential. With their newest addition, Understanding Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility in Practice, em- ployees can apply what they learn to your workplace so everyone can thrive. They will prepare to challenge biased systems and
practices to identify and remove barriers for all with this course.
ity to attract business to the province also depends on achieving a skilled workforce. It’s important for existing business and to attract new investment,” says Kinley. “We are reimagining engagement, mak- ing strong connections through partner- ships. Our upskilling benefits your employ- ees, your organization, and your greater community.”
Make technology work for you With the Micro-certificate in Artificial Intelligence: Machine Learning Solutions, employees learn how to work with data to solve your real-world problems in just three courses, no coding required. Or with Digital Innovation and Leadership (DIAL), two programs are developing digital leaders to transform careers and organiza- tions. Digital Transformation for Managers and Digital Transformation for Leaders are offered by DIAL founded by SFU’s Beedie School of Business, in partnership with Uni- versity of Manitoba Extended Education. Upskilling your staff ensures the eco- nomic resilience of your business, and the Manitoba and greater economies. “Our abil-
Learn more about UM Extended Education partnership opportunities UMextended.ca
Learn skills. Gain confidence. Lead your way.
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