By Oniska Blevins | The Selma Times-Journal

Class will be in session next week as the Montgomery Regional Workforce Training Center hosts its “Workforce Challenges” course in Selma Tuesday, April 24 from 8:30 a.m. until noon.

The workshop’s goal is to strengthen employees’ knowledge of “soft skills,” the personal attributes a person needs to succeed in the workplace.

The free course is instructor led and will take place at Spire Auditorium, formally Alagasco. Due to limited space, there is a maximum of 20 people for the workshop and are on a first come, first serve basis.

Montgomery Regional Workforce Training Center administrative assistant Kamisha Allen said stress on the job is a common concern, and the courses provide ways to alleviate those stresses.

“A lot of people just do not know how to communicate with one another, and they don’t know how to manage their stress,” Allen said. “ That’s why it’s so important we’re offering this particular class.”

Allen said sometimes simply taking a moment to take a deep breath can help with difficult or stressful situations.

“We try to help people understand a better way to deal with the different road blocks they may go through,” she said.

According to Allen, that is directly linked to being aware of the opportunity for growth as well.

“When you start with yourself and try to handle things a little bit better with stress, it can make sure that the workflow is easier,” she said.

Project manager for the Montgomery Regional Workforce Training Center Nona Johnson said the courses teach skills that some may think are innate, but in reality are things that need to be taught.

“The major issue that they have with the employees are soft skills,” Johnson said. “Being able to show up to work on time and being able to stay all day, and having a positive attitude and a ‘can do’ attitude on the job.”

There have been success stories shared with the MRWTC staff after some of the courses.

“We’ve actually interviewed several of the trainees that have completed the workforce skills portion,” Johnson said. “The [most common] comment is that they learned a lot they did not know about.”

Often times participants learn the important skills taught during the courses and are then ready to start their careers.

Johnson said these types of courses are beneficial to people already in the workforce, people looking to start a career and for those that are looking to brush up on those valuable soft skills. For more information on the courses, visit www.aidt.edu/classes/mrwtc. To register for the course, call the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce at (334) 875-7241.