The Center for Rural Development is providing no-cost essential skills training for unemployed and underemployed individuals in Harlan and Bell Counties.

The training, entitled “Becoming Your Best in the Workplace,” will be held on Sept. 5, from 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m. at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, Building One Conference Room, on the Harlan campus.

The instructor-led training will provide valuable essential work skills that will help unemployed and underemployed individuals find and retain gainful employment in an ever-changing job market.

“Having the technical skills to do a job is often not enough,” said Patti Simpson, training manager for The Center’s Business & Community Training Center. “Showing up on time, dressing appropriately, and being a team player are also important essential skills that are critical to workplace and employee success.”

Speaker, trainer, and coach Jeremy A. Taylor will be leading the training. His mission is to help people see their value, recognize their potential, and live out their existence. He is charismatic in his approach to living out that mission by equipping, empowering, and encouraging people of all age groups and backgrounds. He believes wholeheartedly that “dreams do come true for people just like you.”

Some of the topics to be explored during the training include: how to communicate effectively; prepare for a job interview; be a team player and valuable employee; solve problems that arise on the job; professionalism in the workplace; and putting all of these skills together to be the best you can be in the workplace.

“What I appreciate most about this (training) initiative is the opportunity to help people better understand the importance of developing themselves so they, in turn, can better influence their communities through their work,” Taylor said. “It’s about growing as a person and choosing to do great work.”

“Becoming Your Best in the Workplace” is one of the career and workforce training courses presented by The Center’s Business & Community Training Center.

The training is offered at no cost to unemployed and underemployed individuals who live in one of the following coal-impacted Kentucky counties: Bell, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Leslie, Letcher, McCreary, Perry, Pulaski, and Whitley.

For more information on the training course, call 606-677-6000 or register online at www.centertech.com.

Established in 1996 through the vision of U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, (KY-05), and other leaders, The Center for Rural Development is a nonprofit organization fueled by a mission to provide leadership that stimulates innovative and sustainable economic development solutions and a better way of life in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. In its 45-county primary service region, The Center provides innovative programs in leadership, public safety, technology, and arts and culture. The Center is committed to constantly expanding its capabilities in order to deliver a range of key services throughout Kentucky and the nation.