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.
JULY
July 31: Professional Writing: Mechanics
This full-day workshop, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 31 at the Capital Region Language Center in New York City, provides participants with a review of the mechanics of writing, including word choice and sentence structure.
The workshop includes 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 New York State GOER Writing of Mechanics virtual course component prior to attending the virtual portion of this workshop.
Register here by July 24.
AUGUST
August 1: Professional Writing: Composition
This full-day workshop, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. August 1 at the Capital Region Language Center in New York City, provides an overview of essential writing skills, including 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 and approaching a writing task from pre-writing through revisions. Writing tone, style, and technique will also be addressed.
Register here by July 25.
August 1: Audit Report Writing
This in-person workshop, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. August 1 in Cheektowaga, provides auditors with the skills to produce clear and objective audit reports.
Participants will learn how to organize information (facts, conclusions, inferences, and judgments) from audits into reports that are understandable and objective to the reader.
This workshop will assist auditors in developing properly written and supported audit findings and will provide a template of an audit report.
Register here by July 25.
August 1: Project Management Intermediate (w/PDUs)
This workshop, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Professional Development Program in Albany, is intended for participants who have already learned the fundamentals of project management and are now ready to explore further best practices utilizing the Project Management Institute (PMI) framework and an organizational Project Life Cycle (PLC) methodology.
Participants should have either taken the Project Management Fundamentals workshop or have commensurate experience. A brief review of the originating, intitiating, and planning phases of project management is included at the start of the workshop.
Upon completion, participants will be awarded 7 Professional Development Units (PDUs).
Register here by July 25.
August 8: Preparing Written Communication for Executives
This six-hour workshop, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Capital Region Language Center in Cheektowaga, 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 executive leadership will also be covered.
This workshop is designed for employees who regularly communicate with executive leadership in written form. It will be interactive, where participants will have the opportunity to practice writing techniques and receive feedback from the instructor or another subject-matter expert.
Focus will include the importance of proofreading communications to avoid typos and basic grammatical errors.
Register here by August 1.
August 13 and 14: Professional Writing: Mechanics for Non-Native English Speakers- Virtual
This two-session, from 9 a.m. to noon August 13 and 14, virtual workshop provides non-native English-speaking participants with a review of the mechanics of writing.
Strategies for improving written communication in a clear, concise, and grammatically correct format. Workshop topics include parts of speech, sentence structure, phrases and clauses, the use of modifiers, rules of punctuation, and proofreading effectively.
Register here by August 6.
August 14: Adapting to Change
This in-person workshop, August 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Cheektowaga, NY, allows participants to learn skills that are needed to adjust to constantly shifting workplace demands.
Topics include viewing change as an opportunity; understanding the physical impact of change; developing “change hardiness”; achieving flexibility in the face of new demands; and predicting the paths of change.
Register here by August 7.
August 15 and 16: Assessing Lethality (wich CE hours) (Buffalo)
This is a skill-focused course on how to assess and respond to adults with psychiatric emergencies where there is a risk of lethality (suicidal/homidical/self-harm).
The workshop, from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at the University of Buffalo, will include identification of high-risk factors and how to conduct lethality assessments for individuals, including those who are diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness and/or under the influence of substances.
Participants will learn the levels of lethality; how to use lethality assessments tools and rating scales; how to complete documentation of services which reflect clinical assessments in accordance with the most current evidence and best practices; how to create an intervention plan for identified lethality; and when it is appropriate in professional social work practice to break confidentiality based on a current lethality assessments.
NYSED LMSW & LCSW CEs/Contact Hours: 12.5 Live In-Person; NYSED LMHC CEs/Contact Hours: 12.5 Live In-Person; NYSED LMFT CEs/Contact Hours: 12.5 Live In-Person; NYSED LCAT CEs/Contact Hours: 12.5 Live In-Person; NYSED PSY CEs/Contact Hours: 12.5 Live In-Person; NYS OASAS Provider #0045: 12.5 hours for: CPP & CPS Initial, Section 1; CASAC, CPP & CPS Renewal
Register here by July 16.
August 19: Managing Multiple Priorities
This workshop, August 19 in Albany, NY from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., is designed to help develop skills in setting goals, prioritizing, and managing simultaneous responsibilities and activities in today’s fast-paced work environments. Participants will learn how to take control of their workday to help enhance productivity and success while minimizing stress.
Register here by August 8.
August 21: Preparing Written Communication for Executives
This full day workshop, in New York City on August 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 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 taught 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.
Register here by August 14.
August 21 and 22: Project Management for IT Professionals (w/PDUs)
This workshop, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the Professional Development Program in Albany, will utilize the Project Management Institute (PMI) framework to develop and formalize basic project management skills in leaders on IT project teams who may already be managing projects.
Topics include an overview of project schedules, including estimating techniques, dependencies and critical path, establishing project baselines, project status reporting and project closure. Optional assignment may be given between sessions to enhance learning.
Upon completion, participants will be awarded 14 Professional Development Units (PDUs).
Register here by August 14.