The Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) is a statewide professional development program designed to meet the professional development needs of New York State employees who are represented by PEF as well as those who are Management/Confidential (M/C). PSWP utilizes private and public colleges and universities, professional associations, consultants, and for-profit companies to develop and deliver workshops. PWSP workshops help maintain and increase the professional competencies of employees and enhance preparation for employees’ promotional opportunities.
Please note: Space is limited. If you are interested, don’t wait to register. If an enrolled participant is unable to attend the workshop it is requested they reach out to PSWPRegistration@albany.edu immediately or no later than three days prior to the delivery date to allow a person on the waitlist a chance to attend. If you are waitlisted, you will receive advance notice if another delivery of the same topic is scheduled for your region.
For more information, read these Frequently Asked Questions. We will update this page as new workshops are added.
Using Improv Skills to Enhance Training for OPWDD employees – Virtual
The skill of improvisation allows you to think on your feet, with very little preparation. This workshop is designed to teach the art of being resilient in the moment and using whatever tools that are at your disposal to change a situation for the better. You will be able to identify techniques for thinking on your feet, managing difficult participants, tools you can use to change a situation for the better, and strategies of being adaptable in the moment. Ultimately, the skill of improvisation enhances the trainer’s ability to be more adaptable in the moment.
When: Sept. 17 & 18, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual
Provider: Stagecoach Improv
Register: PSWP_6555 Click here to register (NY.gov sign-in required). Registration deadline is Sept. 10, 2025.
Power BI for Department of Public Service employees – Virtual
This four-session (each 3 hours in length) highly interactive virtual workshop on the Power Business Intelligence (BI) platform will provide staff with the tools needed for aggregating, analyzing, visualizing, and sharing complex data in report form. Participants will learn best practices through multiple hands-on activities using the Power Query and Power BI applications. Additionally, participants will learn to find content in dashboards and reports, pull, view and export data from dashboards and reports, and collaborate by using dashboard commenting. Note: Participants must have MS Power BI Desktop installed on the computer they will use to attend this workshops.
When: Aug. 25-28, 9am – 12pm
Where: Virtual
Provider: Logical Operations
Register: PSWP_6583 Click here to register (NY.gov sign-in required). Registration deadline is Aug. 18, 2025.
Preparing Written Communication for Executives – Virtual
This two-session (each 3 hours in length) virtual workshop will provide participants with techniques for improving written communications to executive management, including strategies for preparing high level communications in a clear, concise, grammatically correct (including sentence structure) format. The use of persuasive writing skills such as diplomacy, tact, and appropriate level of detail when communicating with executives and leadership will also be covered. This workshop is designed for employees who regularly communicate with executive leadership in written form. This workshop will be interactive, where participants will have the opportunity to practice writing techniques and receive feedback from the instructor or another subject matter expert. This workshop will include a focus on the importance of proofreading communications to avoid typos and basic grammatical errors.
When: Aug. 5 & 6, 2025, 9am – 12pm
Where: Virtual – Zoom
Provider: Capital Region Language Center
Register: PSWP_6544 Click here to register (NY.gov sign-in required). Registration deadline is July 29, 2025.
How to Build a High-Performance Team – Virtual
This virtual workshop introduces participants to the team building process, development, the characteristics of effective team members, and methods for developing team leaders. The roles and responsibilities of diversified team members will be examined along with the characteristics of high performing work teams. By developing successful teams, participants will learn to increase productivity and positive communication.
When: Sept. 3 & 4, 2025, 9am – 12pm
Where: Virtual – Zoom
Provider: Parsons Child and Family Center
Register: PSWP_6567 Click here to register (NY.gov sign-in required). Registration deadline is July 29, 2025.
Structured Query Language (SQL) Basics
This workshop will cover the basics of SQL to effectively transform information contained in databases into information that is usable by report writers, websites or other mediums. Lectures and exercises will focus on extracting and manipulating information from databases through SQL. The workshop assumes that users have a basic understanding of relational database concepts.
When: October 28, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Logical Operations, Albany
Register: PSWP_6574 or Click here to register (NY.gov sign-in required)
Structured Query Language (SQL) Basics – Virtual
This two-session (each three hours in length) virtual workshop will cover the basics of SQL to effectively transform information contained in databases into information that is usable by report writers, websites or other mediums. Lectures and exercises will focus on extracting and manipulating information from databases through SQL. Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio will be used, and the workshop will be delivered virtually using Zoom. Each participant is required to participate in both sessions.
When: August 26 and 27, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Zoom, Virtual.
Register: PSWP_6555 or Click here to register (NY.gov sign-in required)
Structured Query Language (SQL) Advanced
This workshop goes beyond the basics of SQL to modify the information contained in databases that is usable by report writers, websites or other mediums. Lectures and exercises will focus on extracting and manipulating information from databases through SQL. The workshop assumes that users have a basic understanding of statement structure and relational database concepts. Completion of the SQL Basics course or strong SQL foundation is recommended.
When: August 19, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Logical Operations, Albany.
Register: PSWP_6557 or Click here to register (NY.gov sign-in required)
Preparing for the Social Work Licensing Exam
This one-day virtual workshop helps social workers prepare for the LCSW and LMSW exams. Due to high demand, only those eligible to sit for the licensing exam – requiring a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree – may enroll.
When: September 18, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual.
Register: PSWP_6561 or Click here to register (NY.gov sign-in required)
Professional Writing: Mechanics
This interactive workshop provides participants with a review of the mechanics of writing including word choice and sentence structure. The workshop includes a review of the parts of speech, phrases and clauses, and the use of modifiers. Participants will also review the rules of punctuation. Participants must complete the NYS GOER Writing Mechanics (Online) course component prior to attending the virtual portion of this workshop.
When: September 30, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: One State Street Plaza – 4th Floor, Room 04.001, New York, NY 10004.
Register: PSWP_6555 or Click here to register (NY.gov sign-in required)
Professional Writing: Composition
This interactive workshop provides an overview of essential writing skills that include developing and organizing ideas, choosing a focus for writing, and using appropriate language for the audience. Participants will focus on writing skills within the context of the larger writing process, approaching a writing task from pre-writing through revisions. Writing tone, style, and technique will also be addressed.
When: October 1, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: One State Street Plaza – 4th Floor, Room 04.001, New York, NY 10004.
Register: PSWP_6556 or Click here to register (NY.gov sign-in required)
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Online Continuing Legal Education Workshops from NACLE
NACLE online workshops, which can be completed at your convenience, are for PEF and M/C attorneys who are interested in earning CLE credits. Hundreds of titles are available for registered participants to choose from. To ensure you see the full list of currently available courses, you may need to clear your cookie/cache history before you click this link: https://www.pswp.info/docs/naclepswpcourses.pdf.
Examples of available courses include: Ethics of Social Media: What Attorneys Need to Know (1.5 CLE Ethics Credits), Bias in the Legal Profession (1 CLE Diversity Credit), and Navigating Elder Law: Understanding Medicaid Eligibility (2 CLE General Credits).
Affidavits are made available directly from NACLE upon request for credit and completion of the course. Upon completion of enrollment, participants will be provided with an instructional document and an email including course instructions and account details.
Dates available: January 1 – December 31, 2025
Time: Anytime
Location: Online
Foundations of Leadership Certificate Program
To earn the certificate, learners must complete the online course Introduction to Foundations of Leadership and these five PSWP workshops: Adapting to Change, Decision Making & Critical Thinking, Effective Communication Techniques, Managing Multiple Priorities, and Workplace Conflict Resolution.
Introduction to Foundations of Leadership (Online)
This online self-paced course introduces participants to fundamental leadership concepts including the differences between leading and managing, communication skills, critical thinking, and more. This course is required for the Foundations of Leadership Certificate.
Course Format: Online, self-paced
Course Length: Approximately one hour to complete
Five Required Courses
Course Format: Live, instructor-led webinar or live classroom
Course Length: One full day/6 contact hours (virtual is two half-days over consecutive days)
Recommended Sequence: Complete Introduction to Foundations of Leadership first, then complete the other five required courses in any order. For those who completed one or more of the other required courses before completing the online introductory course, PSWP will issue the certificate when all six courses are completed.
Certificate: To receive your certificate, please wait until you have completed Introduction to Foundations of Leadership (Online) and the five required workshops. Once you have completed all six courses, email pswpregistration@albany.edu with your N number and copies of all six course completion certificates.
To learn more, click here https://www.pswp.info/certificate.cfm.