Higher Education ESP --
Building a Quality Workforce

Meaningful Training = A Quality Workforce

Professional Development for Higher Ed ESP 

As stated throughout this booklet, skills training and professional development are vital components of building a quality workforce. Professional development for Higher Ed ESP is clearly necessary, and in many cases required by state or federal statutes. It is also the foundation on which the higher education institution builds a quality workforce in order to achieve its mission -- enhancing student achievement. Furthermore, all employees should always have meaningful opportunities to be lifelong learners.

Meaningful professional development for Higher Ed ESP can be defined as:

• New employee orientation programs
• In-service training programs
• Relevant and current skill set training
• Career-enhancing professional development programs

Mentoring Programs

Higher Ed ESP have challenging professions that become more demanding and complex every year. Remaining current, informed, and trained is difficult given the constantly expanding nature of the jobs they do. Relevant, appropriate and current programs and information for Higher Ed ESP are essential.

One effective method used by teachers in public school systems for many years is peer mentoring. Mentoring programs provide a place for employees to reach out for advice, support, information, and training. A mentoring program developed and established by the Local Association enhances opportunities and protection for members, and contributes to a results-oriented environment for everyone. It can also raise the attention level and focus of the administration in order to better engage them in providing ongoing training and professional development for Higher Ed ESP.

You Are the Local Expert: Local Talent/Local Training

When developing training and information programs, never overlook the special expertise already present among Higher Ed employees themselves. Many Higher Ed ESP are residents of the community in which they work, and have special skills, abilities, and connections in their communities that make them particularly valuable and relevant in local training programs. They not only understand the higher education community, they live in it, work in it, and vote in it! They are the firefighters, club members, parents, taxpayers, EMTs, and local volunteers.

Local leaders should be aware of their members' expertise. How many are EMTs or volunteer firefighters? Who is on a town council or county board or commission? How many speak more than one language? Who is a military veteran with specialized training? Who volunteers at the community hospital? Who has a spouse who is a police officer, nurse, club member? Does anyone in their second career track have special experience from a former profession? Which members are community religious leaders? Which members are elected officials, or have spouses or relatives who are?

These members possess unique and valuable skills and can provide special resources for training and professional development programs. They are already sharing their talents with students and the campus community every day as they do their jobs. This special, local member expertise is a vital component of Building a Higher Ed ESP Quality Workforce! Discovering, gathering, and then using all of this local talent should be an ongoing endeavor by all local Associations in order to enhance recognition of Education Support Professionals in all higher education environments.