Human Resource Services wants to create the best possible working environment for WSU employees. Part of achieving this goal is providing world class professional development opportunities.
The following tips should help you to navigate with WSU training and development system, and develop your most important asset - you!
Getting the Most out of Training
Training Guidelines for Every Employee
Manage your ILT and online course enrollments, and view all of your training records in one place - your personal SkillPort account.
Access your Online Learning Log-In from the left side menu.
Be in communication with your supervisor in order to schedule your training time effectively. It is important to be flexible when choosing your training dates, but also make a commitment to complete your training plan.
For information on work/life management, visit the Work Life website.
Prepare a learning plan that has clear training goals and targeted completion dates. These training goals should be developed in conjunction with your manager and should include courses that will enable you to perform you current job even better or will prepare you for future career opportunities.
Once your learning plan is developed, you need to make a personal commitment to achieve the defined goals. Your effort will be the deciding factor in the success of your professional development.
Tips on what to discuss with your supervisor (coming soon)
Resources Online
Managing Your ILT
Instructor-Led Training is the most effective way to get WSU systems specific knowledge. The following are some online resources related to your physical classroom training.
Access to Training Records
You have access to your training records whenever you like. Your entire training history for both online and ILT courses (after 2007) are available through your online learning account.
Click Here for instructions.
Appropriate Use of Training Time Policy
Refer to the guidelines on the Appropriate Use of Training Time, and the WSU policy on Release Time for Training, BPPM 60.72.
If you have further questions, speak with your supervisor or contact your Human Resource Consultant. HR Consulting Teams
Managing Your Online Courses
You should schedule time for e-learning on your calendar just as you would any instructor-led training course. The benefit with e-learning is that you get to work through the course at your own pace.
You can schedule your training time in a variety of increments. SkillSoft courses generally take between 2 to 5 hours to complete, but you can schedule your time by course topics, which would amount to as short as a ten minute training session.
WSU's Top 10 Online Courses
HRS provides access to over 2,100 interactive online courses and simulations to every current WSU employee. To help you navigate the expansive catalog, here are some suggestions from HRS that have been popular with other WSU employees.
Customizing Your SkillPort
Your online learning account is customizable. You can update your name and email address, select language settings for your site and search results, and even select a color template for your online course player.
To access these options within your online training account, select the Customize link in the very top of your learning Home page.
Dealing with Distractions
Making time for training can often be a big challenge, the workplace is always busy and full of distractions. The following are some suggestions to help curb unplanned interruptions:
- Forward your phone to voice mail, and record your voice mail greeting to reflect that you will be in training for a specific period of time and will return calls at the end of that time.
- Place a message at the entrance to your office or work space indicating that you are currently in training. Invite visitors to leave a message so you can get back to them as soon as you are finished with your training time
Training in Progress (pdf)
In Training (pdf)
- If you are unable to finish your allotted training time due to an urgent interruption that could not wait, remember the bookmark feature of the courseware. The course will remember where you left off, so you can jump right back to the place you were when you exited the course.
Books Online
There are currently over 10,000 complete books available electronically to everyone who has an online learning account (all WSU current employees and students). All titles are accessible from any web browser, 24 hours a day, seven days a week!
Search for books online the same way you search for online courses.
Log In to your online learning account, and select Books 24x7 from the side menu.
Here are all the titles through Books 24x7 that have been featured on our Training Home Page:
 | The Complete Guide to Public Speaking
Serves all the needs of public speakers, from the seasoned pro to the greenest rookie. |
 | I Hate Presentations: Transform the Way You Present with a Fresh and Powerful Approach
Packed with real life examples and case studies, this practical book describes a completely new way to prepare yourself for a presentation that will deliver for you, your audiences, your team and your business. |
 | Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services Version 3.0 - Step by Step
Use this hands-on guide to work at your own pace through easy numbered steps, helpful hints, and troubleshooting tips to master the fundamentals of working with the latest version of Windows SharePoint Services. |
 | The Trainer's Tool Kit, Second Edition
A perfect resource for new trainers, managers who are suddenly asked to train, and training professionals needing a quick refresher, this practical, user-friendly book shows how to achieve significant performance improvements through effective training. |
 | Writing at Work: How to Write Clearly, Effectively and Professionally
Illustrating the importance of writing in the workplace, this invaluable, accessible resource shows that precision, clarity, readability, efficiency, usability, and persuasiveness create the ideal document. |
