NIH Training Center

The Emerging Talent Program Kicks Off

In the Q2 Highlights Newsletter, the NIH Training Center (NIHTC) introduced the Emerging Talent Program (ETP), a new career development program designed specifically to support NIH employees at the GS 5-11 levels (including wage grade and Title 42 equivalents). The call for the 2024 ETP participants resulted in 142 nominations. From the nominations, 60 participants representing 24 ICs were placed to attend two cohorts, 30 participants each, in this inaugural year.

The launch of ETP Cohort 1 on February 26-27 was nothing short of inspiring. “Connection” served as the guiding theme throughout the orientation sessions with support from the program-titled “Luminaries” – NIH employees who lend to ETP’s success with their time and knowledge! In addition to inspiring career stories from luminaries Victoria Rucker, Tammy Reddick Lockett, and Brenda Robles, participants also gained insight on organizational culture and mindfulness from Sandra Scarbrough, Michelle Polera, Wendy Lee, and Chris Verbrugge.

Participants also embarked on "mission connection experiences," including tours of the Children’s Inn and the Central Animal Facility. These were immersive journeys into the heart of work at the NIH. Guided by Liza Cole at the Children's Inn and the expert duo, Ted Plemons and Dr. Krystal Allen-Worthington, at the Central Animal Facility, these experiences provided the cohort with a tangible sense of the impact and scope of our mission. The ETP Cohort 2 begins later this month.

Visit the Emerging Talent Program website to learn more, or contact NIHTC-ETP@od.nih.gov with questions. 

Don’t Wait to Get Your Recertification CLPs!

Two years ago, the recertification period for Federal Acquisition Certifications was standardized to a common time period of May 1, 2022–April 30, 2024. Acquisition workforce professionals with any of the following designations need to meet the continuous learning points (CLP) requirement to maintain and keep that designation.  

Attend NIHTC acquisition classes to earn CLPs towards your recertification requirements.  

For more information on recertification requirements, check out the Office of Acquisition and Logistics Management’s website. CLPs earned from NIHTC acquisition classes should be submitted in FAI Cornerstone OnDemand (FAI CSOD). 

Contact NIHTrainingCenter@nih.gov with questions about our acquisition classes.

Check Out the Upcoming 2024 DDM Seminars

The Deputy Director for Management (DDM) Seminar Series offers the NIH community engaging presentations to provide meaningful insights into leadership and management concepts, challenges, and solutions. January’s DDM seminar, “Intentional Workplace Culture,” featured Jessica Kriegel, who leads groundbreaking research, strategy, and innovation on workplace culture. The March seminar, “Effective Communication from Leaders,” featured Lynn Perry Wooten, who specializes in crisis leadership, diversity and inclusion, and positive leadership. These videocasts are available for viewing on the DDM Past Seminars website. 

Please join us for the remaining two DDM seminars in FY24. For details and to register, visit the DDM Seminar Series website. Registration for DDM Seminars opens approximately 1-2 weeks before the session date.

May 16, 2024, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Laura Vanderkam – “The New Corner Office”
Laura Vanderkam is an expert on time management who shares her techniques for getting the most out of each day with audiences of busy people everywhere. She draws on 18 years of working from home to share strategies for productivity, creativity, and health in the new corner office, post-pandemic and beyond. Her work has appeared in publications including: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, City Journal, Fortune, and Fast Company.

July 11, 2024, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
John Amaechi – “Building Effective Teams”
John Amaechi is a respected organizational psychologist, an OBE (Order of the British Empire), Chartered Scientist, elected Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health, bestselling New York Times author, Research Fellow at the University of East London, and Founder of APS Intelligence. Mr. Amaechi uses his deep psychological insight combined with real life experience to provide a touchstone for people and companies who want to thrive, achieve, and align their beliefs, values, and ethics.

⇒ Consider proposing a speaker for next year’s DDM Seminar Series! ⇐

It is never too early to start considering speakers for the FY25 DDM Seminar Series. Nomination submissions will be open on the DDM Seminar Series website July 1-31. 

Please contact NIHTrainingCenter@nih.gov with questions or comments.

New Classes at the NIH Training Center

Diversity fuels success! The Training Center introduces two new classes to help learners cultivate a culture of understanding, embrace differences, and unlock insights into diverse workstyles for an inclusive work environment. Click on the course titles below for details and to register. 

Navigating Generational Differences in the Workplace

Developing, motivating, and retaining the best and brightest talent from all generations is the key to any organization’s success. Create an environment where all generations can work collaboratively and respectfully for organizational sustainability and growth.

Date:  June 18
Tuition: $330
Format: Virtual

Best Practices for Working in a Multicultural Workplace

Today's workplace is a vibrant tapestry of cultures, ideas, and viewpoints. This course is a roadmap to cross-cultural competence, from identifying cultural differences to handling them effectively.
 

Date: August 29
Tuition: $440
Format: Virtual

Soft Skills September is now Soft Skills Summer

If you are familiar with the NIHTC, you’ve probably heard of Soft Skills September, an entire month dedicated to providing classes to improve your professional, interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills. We’re expanding Soft Skills September to Soft Skills Summer to allow more time for you to develop these essential skills. 

The Training Center will offer many professional development classes from June thru September. Attend a class virtually or onsite with fellow NIH employees back in the classroom. Check out the schedule below and register today. 

The Soft Skills Summer Schedule of Courses

If you have any questions about Soft Skills Summer, please contact Keisha Berkley. 

Brush Up on Your Budget, Data, and Purchase Card Skills!

If you are a budget or management analyst, administrative officer, or purchase card holder, the Training Center has a class for you! This is the last time these classes are offered this fiscal year, so secure your spot today.

Purchase Card - Logs & Reconciliation – April 16

Budget Process for Scientists and Science Administrators – May 14 

Introduction to the NIH Budget Process – June 17–18

Data Analysis Essentials – August 7–8 

Browse the Course Catalog to find more classes to fit your learning and development needs.

Training for Your IC Employees

Do you know that most courses in the NIHTC Course Catalog can be requested specifically for your IC?  This is known as a closed enrollment offering—a session made available exclusively for an IC and their employees.  

It’s important to note that while most courses in the NIHTC Course Catalog can be offered as a closed enrollment, there may be times when an open enrollment is a better option. The Training Center can help determine which option is better to meet your learning needs.  

Consider the following if you are interested in a closed enrollment offering:

• Review the NIHTC Course Catalog for open enrollment offerings. 
• If there are no upcoming open enrollment offerings, reach out to the NIHTC for the schedule of future classes.
• The size of your audience, as well as a maximum number of employees attending varies per class, with a minimum of 15-20 participants required for a closed enrollment.
• The lead time for a closed enrollment is at least 8-10 weeks to allow enough time for scheduling and logistics.

If, after considering the items above, you would like to explore a closed enrollment offering, visit the Group Training/Closed Enrollment website for guidance. Not sure if a closed enrollment is right for your IC?  Reach out to NIHTrainingCenter@nih.gov with your questions. 

Questions about Planning for Retirement? Find a Workshop That’s Right for You!

As you ponder your pre-retirement plan, you probably have questions. As this article from Government Executive indicates, there are no dumb questions when it comes to federal retirement planning. Consider attending an NIHTC pre-retirement workshop to get your questions answered.