Employees need more than technical savvy to succeed in today's workplace, and a local organization wants to teach struggling staff members some crucial skills for getting the job done.

The Charleston Area Alliance plans to offer a new training program to target entry-level employees, beginning this summer. The classes could reduce turnover and give employees some basic skills they need to advance, said Leanne Stowers, the work force and education specialist for the alliance, an area economic development organization.

The alliance will offer sessions in techniques such as business communication, critical thinking and computer literacy. The tentatively titled Workforce Kanawha Valley program will also focus on workplace etiquette and ethics.

The Community and Technical College System of West Virginia will partner with the alliance to develop and certify the classes, so they can provide the opportunities to all alliance constituents, said Sid Valentine, technical program development coordinator of the CTCS.

"A lot of our industries are not looking only at technical training. They're also looking at so-called 'soft-skills' training, like leadership and team building that make a well rounded employee," Valentine said.

The training program is the alliance's response to local business' concerns about its work force learned from discussions and site visits with employers.

"I see it as a benefit to members for belonging to the CAA because we're offering something they need, that they could benefit from. They get, in turn, well-trained, valuable employees," Stowers said.

Workforce Kanawha Valley will kick off in August if its summer trial period is successful. The alliance plans to offer two four-hour classes a month until 2009. The classes will run from 8 a.m. until noon at the alliance office at 1116 Smith St.

The Charleston Area Alliance plans to offer a new training program to target entry-level employees, beginning this summer. The classes could reduce turnover and give employees some basic skills they need to advance, said Leanne Stowers, the work force and education specialist for the alliance, an area economic development organization.

The alliance will offer sessions in techniques such as business communication, critical thinking and computer literacy. The tentatively titled Workforce Kanawha Valley program will also focus on workplace etiquette and ethics.

The Community and Technical College System of West Virginia will partner with the alliance to develop and certify the classes, so they can provide the opportunities to all alliance constituents, said Sid Valentine, technical program development coordinator of the CTCS.

"A lot of our industries are not looking only at technical training. They're also looking at so-called 'soft-skills' training, like leadership and team building that make a well rounded employee," Valentine said.

The training program is the alliance's response to local business' concerns about its work force learned from discussions and site visits with employers.

"I see it as a benefit to members for belonging to the CAA because we're offering something they need, that they could benefit from. They get, in turn, well-trained, valuable employees," Stowers said.

Workforce Kanawha Valley will kick off in August if its summer trial period is successful. The alliance plans to offer two four-hour classes a month until 2009. The classes will run from 8 a.m. until noon at the alliance office at 1116 Smith St.

To receive a certificate, students must complete four different skill sets, each containing several class sessions. Participants also will have the option to pay for individual class sessions. Valentine said they hope to involve the state community and technical colleges in certifying the program, to provide a "portable credential" for the coursework.

Each skill set will cost $50 for alliance members and $75 for nonmembers. Individual classes will cost $20 each for members and $30 for nonmembers. Instructors from the CTC at WVU Tech will teach the courses.

Employees can test-drive the first of these sets this summer while organizers gauge the program's success. If the classes are well received, the alliance will offer the first skill set again, Stowers said.

The trial classes, "Workability 101," will start with a session on customer service on June 9, followed by a workplace etiquette session on June 23. The Workplace Ethics and Business Communications classes will follow on July 7 and 21.

"I envision that it will address professionalism, like dressing for your job, not taking advantage of [the] company by coming in late, not taking an extended lunch, not leaving early," Stowers said. The first skill set also will emphasize written and verbal business communication.

The program is not tailored to any particular business or industry, but may be especially beneficial for smaller companies without in-house training programs, Stowers said. Anyone interested in learning more about the Workforce Kanawha Valley program may call Leanne Stowers at 340-4253.

To contact staff writer Kellen Henry, use e-mail or call 348-5179.