Resources

The marketplace is a fickle and unforgiving master, particularly in this sluggish economy. Customers demand the most for the least and shop around for deals without much regard to loyalty.

To beat the competition, busi- nesses must use every advantage. Often they gain their edge from individuals who possess superior business skills and talents.

That's why professional development programs are flourishing, offering training on everything from public speaking to speaking German along with favorites such as computer and customer service skills. For many, the pursuit of new knowledge is well worth the time and expense. "We live and die by our expertise in technology. Our people have to keep their skills very sharp," says Mona Hilton, owner of Fort Myers-based Genesis Computer Solutions and Online Technologies.

Such dedication reaches across the country as well. U.S. companies budgeted $56.8 billion for education and training in 2001, up $2.8 billion from the previous year, according to Training Magazine, a trade publication.

Corporate America always looks for more from employees, but bosses also recognize that their managers and staffs are investments, and many desire to strengthen those assets. Hilton and her crew frequently use the Center for Technology Education at Florida Gulf Coast University. While the center offers software certificate training and other tech classes, it also aims to teach participants other avenues to a fruitful career.

About 85 percent of the center's enrollment consists of employed workers from companies of all sizes. Course graduates help strengthen and diversify the local labor pool, which is dominated by service workers. A decent selection of tech-skilled workers keeps companies here and attracts new ones, says center director Jana Hambruch, a no-nonsense administrator and veteran in the professional development field.

Although programs like FGCU's Center for Technology Education hold classes at their facilities, some professional development trainers come to their clients. Course prices can range from free to $8,000, but the institutions try to keep prices affordable. At the Center for Technology Education, director Hambruch writes grant applications in hope of defraying or even eliminating tuition expenses for companies. And those that use a not-for-profit school may be allowed tax deductions.

Statistics show that businesses and individuals believe that continuing education and training are worthwhile. Job performance improved 28 percent among workers receiving training in their occupation, according to the American Society for Training and Development.

Teresa Beckta, director of the Professional Development Center, which opened in Fort Myers in July, has received requests from employers who hire recent college graduates often lacking customer service skills, a strong work ethic or company loyalty, for example. "They need to know that the customer is the number-one reason why the company is open," Beckta says. The center, a for-profit arm of Southwest Florida College, tailors courses and training to meet client needs. Programs offered include IT, graphic design, public speaking, e-mail etiquette, and almost anything else a company can think of, Beckta says.

For those seeking global success, one local firm provides training to help eliminate cultural barriers. Naples Language Center teaches Italian, French, Portuguese, Russian and other languages to executives. Spanish and Creole classes are popular among local managers who oversee Hispanic and Haitian employees, says owner Nina Hermann.

Rodrigo De Marco can attest to the value of professional development. De Marco moved to Bonita Springs last December from a small town near São Paulo, Brazil. Upon his arrival in Southwest Florida, the 27-year-old dentist took steps to become licensed. The requirements include learning English; but he took his language training further so he could sound more American, realizing that patients will feel more at ease if they can understand him clearly. "The language center has been my best investment so far," De Marco says.

Employee enrichment

Contact information for programs mentioned in this article-just a sampling of what's available locally:

The Center for Technology Education at Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers

Phone: (239) 225-4215

www.fgcu.edu/cob/cte

Naples Language Center

Phone: (239) 262-6462

www.napleslanguagecenter.com

Professional Development Center

Fort Myers

Phone: (239) 872-9536

www.pdctraining.com