Challenge:
RPM International Inc., is a holding company and owns subsidiaries that are world leaders in specialty coatings serving both industrial and consumer markets. The company's products are sold in more than 130 countries and are manufactured at 68 plant locations in 17 countries.

When RPM decided to migrate its email system, RPM Business Systems Manager Terry Pfleiderer turned to Corporate College for assistance. "Our goal was to educate our workforce about the new system in the most efficient way possible while ensuring the consistent quality of the training experience," said Pfleiderer. Member of Corporate College's staff customized a 4-hour course on Lotus Notes. The instruction was delivered to 700 RPM employees by Corporate College instructors at Corporate College West, the Tri-C Eastern campus and three RPM locations which has lead to improved communication across the RPM network.

"Corporate College put together the exact training solution for RPM's Lotus Notes rollout," said Pfleiderer. "By training our people properly, we will easily assimilate the new system."

Challenge:
KeyCorp officials recently presented a $250,000 Key Foundation check at a dedication ceremony of Key Career Place at Corporate College. The presentation fulfilled a four year, $1 million grant supporting development and operation of the comprehensive career management and job search resource, Key Career Place.

"The evening's program showcased area businesses who are investing in their employees' career management and leadership development. These innovative programs are aligning employee capabilities with business goals," said Jean Appleby, Key Career Place Executive Director.

"Investment in a well-educated, highly skilled and inclusive workforce is essential for continued business growth and economic development in Cleveland," said Margot J. Copeland, Executive Vice President and Chair of the Key Foundation. "Our collaboration with Tri-C in establishing Key Career Place typifies the kinds of Key-supported academic programs and initiatives that are driving upward mobility by retaining and attracting employee bases in communities from Maine to Alaska."

Challenge:
Advanced Linux System Administration training included security training for Applied Industrial Technologies' employees. This customized program consists of eight days of instruction that provide participants with the skills needed to configure, administer, manage and secure the Linux operating system. This advanced course required prerequisite skills including 6-12 months experience with Linux and familiarity with the Linux or Unix command line.

"Working with Corporate College was a very good experience," said Applied's IT Network Services Manager Marty Graham. "They assisted us in developing customized training that provided our associates with the specific skills they need to keep our servers running the Linux operating system in excellent order."

Challenge:
One of the professional development niche programs offered at Corporate College which responds to the Northeastern Ohio's economic needs is the Certificate Program in Financial Planning. Corporate College, in academic partnership with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. ®, offers courses that will help prepare individuals for the Certified Financial Planner ™ Certification Examination.

"The CFP exam is a very difficult one," comments Scott Burke, Program Manager. "As a first step to CFP® certification, you must be knowledgeable about a variety of financial planning topics. Participants gain additional credibility and can serve their client's needs by obtaining this certification." According to Scott, "most" of the participants in this prestigious program are in their mid 30's and 40's and their professional backgrounds are diverse.

An instructor to the program, Sandi Calio, agrees with Scott: "Financial Planning for CPA's is a natural fit into expanding services for their existing clients. More people (consumers) are interested in one-stop shopping, someone who can do it all for them and their money."

A shift in industry attitudes towards financial planning has led to a surge in the number of professionals enrolling and taking the Certified Financial Planner™ exam. "Many brokerage firms around town are encouraging their employees to take these courses; these companies want their people to receive CFP® designations within a three-year period", comments Raj Pillai, Program Director of the CFP® program.

Corporate College has plans to expand to the east side of Cleveland. The Professional Development courses offered at Corporate College West will be available to those who live on the other side of town when Corporate College East opens in summer 2005.

Challenge:
"National City began training our employees for our Customer Connections Initiative last May," said Pamela Holden, Vice President for Retail Performance Delivery at National City. "The Customer Connections Initiative is a $125 million technology investment designed to streamline our systems and improve speed and accuracy to meet the needs of our customers' even better." Close to 584 employees have attended training at Corporate College.

"We have held sessions in hotels and conference centers in seven states," Ms. Holden continued. "This venue offers comfort, convenience and is state-of-the art. From a technology standpoint, Corporate College has been a great facility for us. We have been pleased with our overall experience, have been impressed with the technical support resources available and have found the staff to be very knowledgeable."