Every organization has those individuals who, regardless of their title are the "go-to" people to gauge the pulse of the organization. They spearhead a change in processing or culture or guide a new employee through the training process. Such individuals usually provide an integral role as influencers and implementers through the organization.  Investing in the development of these individuals recognizes their leadership potential and refines the skills they need to make your company a world class organization. ​

At the VIA we have Four Professional Development Series that we focus on: ​

7 Seminars for Supervisors - in partnership with Waubonsee Community College
This Supervisor series has been a cornerstone of VIA programming for over 25 years. Participants are taught the fundamentals of relevant practices, laws & regulations followed by real world examples and practice sessions. Comprehensive handouts and practical exercises are invaluable in this program. The seven sessions include: 

• Stepping up to Supervisor
• Meeting Expectations of Management
• Labor Law & Legal Considerations
• Interpersonal Skills & Communication
• Hiring Winning Talent
• Performance Coaching 
• Safety & Substance Abuse.

​Managing Teams - with Evelyn Canabal of Professional Development Services
Teams are a vital part of almost every organization.  We depend on teams to use resources more effectively, solve problems more creatively and provide greater productivity then individual employees working alone.  This class helps to provide insight and skill in preparing for some of the challenges faced in our ever-evolving industries. In this class we will focus the following topics: 

• Challenging Negative Attitudes
• Productive Work Habits
• Taking Control over Conflict: Minimizing Workplace Disputes
• Multigenerational Workforce
• Employee Engagement 
• Leading and Managing Change 

​Stepping up to Lead - a NEW series with Evelyn Canabal of Professional Development Services 
There are leaders at every level in an organization; some may not have a management title. They might be trusted individuals that model behavior that other people follow. They may be individuals who stand out in the crowd, recognized by others because of their knowledge or skill. Regardless of where you see your future leaders, critical skill development will help them reach a higher level of professionalism at work.

The following 5-week series has been developed to help entry-level leads, or future leaders understand important aspects of creating positive interactions with others: the following topics will be covered: 

• Communication
• Skillful collaboration
• Accountability
• Managing Multiple Priorities
• Making yourself Indispensable 

EPP - Effective Personal Productivity Leadership Series in Partnership with LMI Chicago & IMEC
Developing effective leaders and improving productivity is a process and effective leaders can make the difference betewen succeeding and failing in today's global marketplace. This multi-session course will help develop new, more productive behaviors and is guaranteed to increase personal effectiveness and measurable results. Attendees will change behaviors and further develop as they learn in the following areas: 

• Effective Time and Goals Management
• Goal Setting and Achievement
• Planning and Prioritizing Actions and Responsibilities
• Personal Initiative and Leadership 
• Increased Productivity through communication
• Delegation, Engagement, Team Development and Empowerment