Learning Compass

Welcome back to our second edition of Learning Compass! We hope you are all enjoying the ease of enrolling in trainings and classes through our new learning management system (LMS), NEOGOV Learn. You might have seen it referenced as NEOGOV, NEOGOV Learn, Learn, and/or eLearning. Since we are using this system to simplify how you access learning at King County, we would like to provide some clarity:

NEOGOV is a suite of employee-support applications; Learn is the application within the NEOGOV suite that serves as an LMS or learning management system. If you were familiar with SkillSoft as our previous LMS, Learn has replaced it and will serve the same purpose with more seamless integration with our other functions.

Learn also serves additional functions that SkillSoft did not –  it’s where you can enroll in live classes as well. With COVID-19 restrictions still in place and many of our facilitators working remotely, most of our trainings and classes are held live online via Zoom or Teams. You can register for most of these live trainings using Learn. Of course there are also self-guided trainings that live within Learn – we often refer to these as eLearning. These trainings are automated and can be taken at the learner’s own pace and schedule. 

When you log into Learn, you will see a personalized dashboard that lists classes in which you are enrolled. You may have enrolled in them yourself or sometimes classes will be assigned to you by a manager or central administrator. The great thing about using the NEOGOV system is that you will also have a transcript of the classes you've completed right away since Learn integrates with all the other ways we are using NEOGOV at King County. This means there is no longer a need to email a class instructor to make sure your trainings appear in PeopleSoft! We are still in the process of migrating some past trainings over to Learn but for the most part we are fully functional and evolving as we discover things that need to shift to best meet the needs of our customer: YOU!

Why are there still offerings on Eventbrite, you might ask? Good question! We don't have ability to process payments in Learn (yet!) and there are some offerings that come with a fee (for example, college classes, some workshops using external consultants). For now, these will continue to be listed in Eventbrite. We are working with NEOGOV towards a solution for this and hope to have this functionality soon. 

We'd like to thank you for your patience in this transition. Change can be challenging. What we know is that this change will provide better efficiency across systems and a simpler user interface for you to find what you need. As always, please reach out to us at KCtraining@kingcounty.gov with any questions. 

Happy Learning!

Due to high demand, we have increased the capacity for our ESJ Fundamentals sessions!

ESJ Fundamentals
Multiple Dates | Various Times | Register here

Equity and Social Justice Fundamentals is the first session in a series of workshops designed to support King County employees in learning about equity and social justice with a particular focus on racial justice. Using videos, small group conversations and sharing resources, participants will be able to:

• Explain the concepts of equity and inequity
• Examine King County disparities related to race and racism
• Summarize King County’s commitment to equity and social justices, especially around race
• Identify ways you can advance equity in your everyday interactions

Build your peer network and deepen your skills as a leader by participating in the Leading the Way series. Taking these trainings looks great on your development plan, will level-up your ability to support the professional goals of your team members, and empowers you to lead from wherever you are. The foundational modules are offered monthly, so be sure to sign up for any one of them – and invite others to join you for even more impact!

Equity and Leadership
Thursday, Nov. 4 | from 8:30am to 12:30pm | Register here 
Do your part to create an inclusive climate and culture that works for all! You’ll come away with a better understanding of the importance of fostering a racially equitable work environment for your team, how social identities impact our interactions in the workplace, and more.

Staying Steady
Tuesday, Nov. 9 | from 12:30pm to 3:30pm | Register here
Keeping grounded and centered is a valuable leader skill – as is supporting teams to do the same. This is true when experiencing the many challenges that happen in the average course of our working lives, and is especially important when facing the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and racism as a public health crisis. Learn how to increase your own resilience and how to foster resilient teams with the many resources available to you.

Leader Mindset
Tuesday, Nov. 16 | from 8am to 12pm | Register here
An engaged workforce is a win-win: leaders/organizations are more likely to meet goals and employees have a higher sense of well-being and belonging. This means that we are able to provide the best services to King County communities. Learn about creating a supportive team climate where all employees can thrive, no matter where you are in your leadership journey!

STAR-LA Interview Practice and Feedback
Tuesday, Oct. 26 | from 11am to 12pm | Register Here

This one-hour VIRTUAL, small group workshop is designed to provide mock interview practice and feedback using the STAR-LA method as taught by King County Career Support Services. This workshop is ideal for participants who have attended the Strategic Interviewing Tips and Techniques workshop or have watched the 10 minute STAR-LA method video found on the Career Support Services website. 

This is the last workshop scheduled for 2021.

Administrative Professionals “Casual Conversations”
Tuesday, Oct. 19 | from 12 to 1pm | Register Here

Inviting King County Administrative Professionals to join our Casual Conversations with a County subject matter expert (SME). This is a bi-monthly series, drop-in conversation with a County SME revolving around a specific topic within the County. Meeting space will be open and flexible. Our goal is to provide a casual, open forum for Administrative Professionals to connect with SMEs across King County who can provide an overview of services, answer general questions, and the added benefit of connecting with colleagues. October’s topic is on Disability Services.

This is the last workshop scheduled for 2021.

Creating Effective Application Materials
Thursday, Oct. 28 | from 2 to 4pm | Register Here

This two-hour virtual workshop will provide you tips and strategies on how to make your application materials stand out.  Learning objectives include: 

• Understanding the purpose of the job application, resume, cover letter and supplemental questions and how to make each of them more effective 
• Deciding what to include in your resume and the best format to showcase your qualifications 
• How to write a cover letter tailored to the specific position 
• Identifying and showcasing your accomplishments 

This is the last workshop scheduled for 2021.

Careers at Metro Transit Department (MTD)
Wednesday, Nov 10 | from 10 to 11:30am AND 1-2:30pm | Register Here
Learn about careers at King County’s largest agency, Metro Transit Department (MTD). In this 90 minute presentation you will gain insight into Metro’s 9 divisions, learn of their recruitment and selection process, and the careers available throughout MTD.
Presenter:  Julie Dunn, Human Resources Manager II, MTD. Facilitated by Lili Stansberry, Career Support Services

For additional online workshops offered by King County Career Support Services (CSS), visit their Eventbrite page. For more information about CSS along with links to career related tips, examples, templates and other resources, visit www.kingcounty.gov/CSS. 

Employee Disability Panel: So I disclosed my disability, what’s next?
Thursday, Oct. 28 | from Noon to 1pm | Register here

In honor of Disability Awareness Month, King County employees are invited to join a free, live, virtual conversation that will feature employees with disabilities who will share their personal experiences of disability disclosure, perspective from a supervisor’s understanding, alongside a Disability Service representative who will share resources available to support employees with disabilities and the process of navigating accommodations. All King County employees are welcome to attend. ASL interpretation and auto transcription services will be provided.

Balanced You Mindfulness class schedule for Fall 2021
Balanced You is partnering once again with Mindfulness Northwest to offer free mindfulness classes and workshops to King County employees. All classes are held live on Zoom. This fall, we have classes that will teach techniques such as how to meet anxiety with mindfulness, mindful movement and more. View fall 2021 schedule to register for an upcoming class.

Mental Health First Aid@Work Training
Monday, Nov. 15 | from 8am to 12pm | Register here

Like CPR and physical first aid, Mental Health First Aid@Work trainings teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. Participants will learn how to support an individual who may be experiencing mental illness and connect them to available resources internal and external of the workplace.