Lake Michigan College and Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber Team Up to Offer Bootcamp on Professionalism, Soft Skills

Benton Harbor, MI – Soft skills are becoming a significant challenge for employers both nationally and locally. To tackle this issue head-on, Lake Michigan College and the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce are collaborating once again to offer a one-day bootcamp on professionalism and soft skills next month.

The "Professional and Soft Skills Bootcamp" will take place on Monday, September 23rd, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Todd Center, Room 1413, at the LMC campus. Taught by industry professionals, this one-day, accelerated session will equip participants with key skills that make employers take notice when hiring or considering promotions.

Topics include:
●    Time management techniques for better organization and increased productivity
●    Effective verbal and non-verbal communication strategies
●    Positive interaction with co-workers, managers, and customers
●    Strategies for successfully handling workplace conflicts
●    Building a professional image
●    Mastering the art of networking
●    Creating an action plan for continued professional growth
●    Understanding the role of mentoring in career advancement

Participants will also receive the book The Hard Truth About Soft Skills, enjoy a catered lunch, and have the opportunity to earn future college credit at Lake Michigan College. The cost for the course is $185 for Chamber members and $225 for non-members. Pre-registration is required, and space is limited. Go to https://Business_Professionalism.eventbrite.com.  For registration information or questions, contact Lake Michigan College Director of Business and Industry Partnerships Barbara Craig at (269)927-8147 or by e-mail at craig@lakemichigancollege.edu.  

“We frequently hear from local businesses about the difficulties their employees face with time management, communication, interpersonal skills, professional image, and conflict resolution,” said Dr. David Krueger, Dean of Career and Workforce Education at Lake Michigan College. “This accelerated session is tailored to address these critical areas while providing participants with a valuable certification. We’re grateful to the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber for partnering with us to deliver these impactful solutions.”

“This bootcamp offers employers an opportunity to enhance their team's effectiveness and ensure their staff is equipped with essential soft skills,” said Arthur Havlicek, President and CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber. “It also highlights the strength of our partnership with Lake Michigan College. By providing targeted training through collaboration, we're helping businesses address critical workforce challenges and ensuring their teams have the skills needed to succeed in today’s competitive market.”

The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber and Lake Michigan College collaborate on other vital workforce development initiatives, including the region’s premier leadership development program, Leadership Accelerator, and Michigan’s first countywide youth apprenticeship program, the Berrien Talent Collaborative. To learn more about either, visit www.smrchamber.com.