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Professional Development and Leadership
All Professional Development classes are now delivered in an interactive live-stream format. We offer top-of-the-line training for business and leadership development which combines a convenient and flexible learning format, experienced and caring instructors, and a curriculum designed for those wanting to advance in the workplace.
Similar to the in-class workshops, LIVE STREAM workshops are delivered using a virtual platform where the instructor is online and leads the class providing the same coverage that students would have received attending in person. The instructor provides lectures, gives students exercises to reinforce the learning, answers questions, elaborates on topics covered, and facilitates class discussions/breakout sessions. Students receive all course materials before classes start and are able to follow along with the course delivery with their materials. The student should register at least 5 days before class starts to receive course materials.
Many students really like this format. It allows participants to take the training from the comfort of their homes, offices, and many other locations. It eliminates the need for travel and allows them to make better use of their availability.
Basic Bookkeeping XBKP 0600
Gain the skills to work in a small business doing basic bookkeeping.
In this 5-week interactive, instructor-led course, the following will be covered:
- Basic bookkeeping terminology
- Double entry bookkeeping
- General ledger accounts
- Understanding income statements and balance sheets
- Bank reconciliations
- Reconciling petty cash
Course Duration: 30 online learning hours in 15 morning classes
Dates: February 11 - March 13, 2025 (Tues/Wed/Thurs)
Time: 9 a.m - 11 a.m.
Fee: $425
Microsoft Teams XPCS 0810
This two-day interactive seminar will introduce Microsoft Teams (MS Teams) and show various ways to use it effectively in a collaborative environment. The focus is on practical application and experiential learning.
Upon completion of this seminar, students will:
- Understand how Microsoft Teams works and its place in the Microsoft 365 environment
- Understand how to work collaboratively with teams in multiple locations and across a variety of devices
- Be able to participate in MS Teams meetings as well as organize meetings
- Track and manage teamwork
- Use the chat tool to share information and files in real-time
- Troubleshoot basic MS Teams issues
Topics included:
- Setting up your Teams
- Managing Meetings
- Managing Channels
- MS Teams Apps
- Communication in Channels
- Searching in Teams
- Working with Files
- Teams Settings
- Using Chat Features
Dates: May 26-27, 2025 (Mon/Tues) (Registration will open in March 2025)
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Fees: $265
Microsoft PowerPoint XPCS 0820
This online, interactive course will develop the skills and techniques required to present presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint. This will be achieved through the completion of the specifically designed exercises. As this is a basic course, the exercises will demonstrate the most important tools in PowerPoint.
The following topics will be included:
- Getting started with PowerPoint
- Formatting text on slides
- Adding graphical objects to a presentation
- Adding tables to a presentation
- Inserting charts in a presentation
Dates: Wed, May 28, 2025 (Registration will open in March 2025)
Time: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Fees: $195
Basic Microsoft Excel XPCS 0620
In this online, interactive course, students will gain basic computing skills in Spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. This is an introduction for those who have no experience to very little experience in Excel. Students will learn the basics of building a spreadsheet, including creating simple formulas and making an effective worksheet. Common terminology and best practices in creating and editing worksheets will be covered. Emphasis will be placed on functionality and applying skills rather than theory.
Dates: April 8-17, 2025 (Tues-Thurs)
Time: 9 - 11:30 a.m.
Fees: $225
Microsoft Excel XPCS 0620
Students create and format spreadsheets to analyze and share information, to make informed decisions. This course offers an introduction to basic spreadsheet concepts ( basics, file management, ranges, sorting, columns, and rows) using Excel. These concepts include Excel's built-in functions namely moving and copying data, formatting a worksheet, printing a worksheet, functions, and formulas (AutoSum, Inserting Functions, Aver, Min, and Max Functions), referencing and absolutes ( consolidating data with 3D references, now and today function, absolute referencing) charts ( creating a chart, selecting, moving, sizing and deleting chart items, preview, and printing charts ); and advanced built-in functions in Excel ( financial function, using range names, split screens and freeze panes, working with clip art).
Dates: TBD
Time: Wednesdays & Fridays 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Fees: $475
Stepping up to Supervision XMSK 0930
Stepping Up to Supervision helps bridge the gap between working as a frontline employee and stepping up to lead the team. There is a gap in knowledge and experience that prevents many employees from moving to the next step in their careers. This course addresses that gap and provides the knowledge and skills necessary to lead a team effectively and competently. A recent study showed that 58% of managers said they did not receive any management training. Stepping Up to Supervision introduces and explains key concepts and skills that enable a qualified employee to effectively move up to a position as a front-line supervisor. It discusses the mindset and skills necessary to make the move from employee to supervisor, improve the engagement of employees, and develop strategies for continuing improvement.
Course Duration: 15 online learning hours
Dates: March 17-21, 2025
Times: Monday - Friday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Fee: $450
Management Skills for Supervisors
This course is a three-part certificate program for all supervisory levels. Managers are offered hands-on training and experience to equip them with the necessary skills and tools required to be an effective manager. These courses will be delivered virtually and fully instructor-led. Topics include:
- Communicating Effectively and Persuasively in a Team Environment
- Recognizing a Win-lose Situation
- Handling Job-Related Problems
- Giving Effective Feedback
- Enhancing Interviewing Techniques
- Workplace Rumors
- Conducting a Coaching Session
- Making Quality Decisions
- Improving Relationships
- Building Consensus
Part 1 - Interpersonal Skills XWRK 0490
This workshop will:
- Sharpen your decision-making skills
- Improve and enhance your relationships with others
- Aid in developing effective and persuasive communications
- Enhance your interviewing techniques
- Provide experience in handling job-related problems
- Hone your communication skills to handle conflict situations
Course Duration: 24 online learning hours in 8 afternoon classes
Dates: April 7-17, 2025
Times: Monday - Thursday, 1:00 - 4:00 pm for 2 weeks
Fee: $625
Part 2 - Team Building Skills XWRK 0492
This workshop will:
- Provide practical techniques to motivate others
- Determine your preferred leadership style, give you practice using it, and help develop increased flexibility
- Promote useful techniques for leading and participating in meetings
- Provide group situations for focusing on leadership motivations and team building
- Sharpen your skills to cope with power shifts in organizations
Course Duration: 24 online learning hours in 8 afternoon classes
Dates: May 5-15, 2025 (Registration will open in March 2025)
Times: First week Tuesday - Friday; second week Monday - Thursday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Fee: $625
Part 3 - Administrative Skills XWRK 0494
This workshop will:
- Provide practical techniques to manage your job and delegate effectively
- Outline a comprehensive and flexible system of performance analysis and appraisal
- Identify your time-wasters and give you ideas on how to eliminate them
- Provide experiences in instruction and performance appraisal interviewing
- Give you tips to manage change
Course Duration: 24 online learning hours in 8 afternoon classes
Dates: June 9-19, 2025 (Registration will open in March 2025)
Times: Monday - Thursday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Fee: $625
Meeting Procedures and Minute-Taking XWRK 0496
This two-part course will be delivered as a live, instructor-led session online. Active learning takes place in a relaxed and fun environment!
Meetings are an important part of the group decision-making process. With today’s flatter, less hierarchical organizations, one week you could be asked to chair a meeting and the next week to record the minutes. Minutes are a record of the group’s decisions and action items and it is vital that they are clear, concise, and accurate. This seminar helps participants to understand the full range of their roles and responsibilities as Minute Takers, to work effectively with the Chair, and to produce agendas and minutes in a variety of styles – formal, informal, and action.
Workshop participants will take part in a mock meeting to gain a practical understanding of the roles of Chair and Minute Taker, and to practice taking accurate notes and producing correct minutes.
Course Duration: 15 online learning hours in 6 evening classes
Dates: TBD
Times: Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays from 6:00 - 8:30 pm
Fee: $349.00
Proposal Writing XWRK 0940
Non-profits are increasingly being required to do more with less, and competition over limited resources can be challenging. Discovering new funding sources and writing strong proposals to secure those funds are vital in creating the diversified revenue bases organizations need to grow and thrive.
TRU is hosting a two-day proposal writing course that will give you a variety of skills and resources to assist in identifying potential funders and creating compelling proposals. This course is Live stream format.
- Different types of proposals
- Funding sources and prospect research
- Request for proposals
- Preparing to write
- Writing style and grammar
- Major components of a proposal
- Executive summary
- Problem statement
- Mission/goals/objectives
- Technical section
- Project team/relevant experience
- Project budget
- Evaluation Plan
- Appendices – what to include and what not to include
- Proposal writing tips
- Staying organized
Dates: TBA
Times: TBA
Fee: $295
The following professional development courses have been created for estimators, superintendents, and project managers who must deal effectively and professionally with employees, sub-trades, owners, clients, engineers, and their employees. These fully online courses are self-paced and self-directed and are accessible 24/7 on your desktop, tablet, or mobile device. Supported browsers include Google Chrome and Firefox.
XCST 0102 - Communications, Negotiation, and Conflict Resolution
This course is designed to help improve written, oral, and negotiating skills within the construction industry. Supervisors, project managers, and anyone who must deal effectively and professionally with employees, sub-trades, owners, clients, engineers, and employers. Gold Seal Certification (2 credits)
Course Duration: 4 online learning hours
Course Fee: $150
XCST 0152 - Construction Industry Ethics
The Construction Industry Ethics course has been designed to help you understand ethics as it relates to the construction industry through practical examples of ethical decision-making. Perfect for owners/clients, contractors, supervisors, project managers, etc. who must deal effectively and professionally with employees, sub-trades, owners, clients, engineers, employers, and the public. The course contains interactive elements, case studies, practical examples, videos, and a course glossary. Gold Seal Certification (3 credits)
Course Duration: 4 online learning hours
Course Fee: $350
XCST 0122 - Construction Law
This course is designed to teach and familiarize owners, managers, supervisors, and project managers with construction contracts and contract law; liabilities and responsibilities of all parties to a Contract, compiling and submitting proper extras and claims, and ways and means for leaders to avoid conflict with contracts, owners, trades, and labor. Gold Seal Certification (2 credits)
Course Duration: 6 online learning hours
Course Fee: $150
XCST 0112 - Construction Project Management
This course is designed to help managers administer projects from start to finish. You will gain the knowledge and skills to help you successfully plan, manage, and administer projects from start to finish. Gold Seal Certification (3 credits)
Course Duration: 5 online learning hours
Course Fee: $150
XCST 0142 - First Level Supervisor Training Program
Strong supervision skills are key to any construction project. This comprehensive online training program offers the critical skills and concepts needed to supervise a work team in the residential and non-residential construction sectors. The course uses scenarios, videos, quizzes, and tests to reinforce the learning. Gold Seal Certification (5 credits)
Course Duration: 14 online learning hours
Course Fee: $400
XCST 0132 - Introduction to Construction Estimating
To ensure project success, contractors must be able to provide accurate and professional estimates of costs and materials. The Introduction to Construction Estimating course will provide learners with skills and knowledge related to estimating practices and help them understand the importance of estimating as one of the key first steps in any construction job. The lesson modules cover a wide range of topics, with interactive activities based on real-life field situations to help reinforce the lessons. Gold Seal Certification (2 credits)
Course Duration: 4 online learning hours
Course Fee: $150
XCST 0162 - Working in a Respectful and Inclusive Workplace
The Canadian construction and maintenance industry is committed to building respectful and inclusive workplaces. Our goal is to enhance your toolkit of career skills and equip you to be successful and participate in creating a respectful and inclusive workplace. Working in a Respectful and Inclusive Workplace looks at how a respectful and inclusive workplace can benefit everyone by eliminating discrimination and harassment, and how everyone can create respect through inclusive communication, teamwork, and mentorship. This course uses interactive elements, scenarios, videos, and quizzes to reinforce the learning. Gold Seal Certification (1 credit)
Course Duration: 3 online learning hours
Course Fee: $100
XWRK 0980 - How to Be a Better Foreperson
Many great tradespeople take a foreperson position and fail. Not for lack of skills or drive but simply for lack of guidance on how to be a great foreman. This 1-day course gives participants the fundamentals of field leadership, organization, crew morale, efficiency, and productivity. Students will gain knowledge on understanding why and how many forepersons fail, how the forepersons’ role has changed, how to deal with workplace conflict tactfully, how to anticipate production and job site issues, understand general and subcontractor dynamics, roles as leaders, and how you play a major role in increasing job site productivity. *This course is Gold Seal Accredited.
Course Duration: 7 classroom learning hours
Course Fee: $299
