LTA to launch professional development trainings

The Latte Training Academy, a CNMI-based non-profit, recently teamed up with the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs to launch a Public Service Technical Assistance & Training Program. The program is aimed at bringing professional development trainings to the employees of the CNMI’s public sector.

“Many of our public servants are hardworking professionals, but because of the CNMI’s remote location, there is a significant strain on their ability to attend professional development trainings at the same rate as their mainland counterparts. We understand that the Office of Personnel Management has trainings, but they too have fiscal limitations, which hampers their efforts. Our goal is to help develop the workforce capacity within the CNMI and we think many times we focus on entry level positions and not professional level public servants,” said Latte Training Academy treasurer Erick Van Der Mass.

The program, which will bring free professional development trainings to the areas of public safety, public health and public education, is slated to launch in August this year. The organization has already established a relationship with the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs to bring nationally renowned experts to provide training and technical assistance to the CNMI’s enforcement and education community, while leveraging regional expertise for the public health component.

“One of the most exciting trainings is focused on aiding our law enforcement community, including criminal investigators, prosecutors and first responders, to develop their professional skill set. This cutting edge and innovative training program has received tremendous reviews from law enforcement agencies in multiple states. The trainers have led nationally recognized investigations to include the Lacy Peterson murder case, the Columbine School shooting case, as well as the capture of the Texas seven prison escapees. We believe that the experience and network that these trainers will bring to our local enforcement community will do nothing more than strengthen our capacity,” said LTA secretary Tina Palacios.
Additionally, the Latte Training Academy will be offering professional development training for educators, school counselors, and education administrators with the delivery of its Social Media Issues Facing Educators Seminar and Physical & Virtual Threats in Schools Encounter Seminar. All attendees will be able to receive non-academic transcripts through the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, which can be recognized as Continuing Education Units.

“We are extremely excited and humbled to be a a part of the Latte Training Academy’s Public Service Technical Assistance & Training Program. We firmly believe in the visions of the organization and applaud their commitment to being of service to the Commonwealth. It is all to common to criticize the public sector without giving any consideration to the importance of the work that these men and women do to provide essential services to the community,” said CarleyRies, executive director of the university’s Campus Wide Extended Studies Department.

While the trainings will be capped at 25 participants, they are open to professional government employees whose direct responsibilities are in alignment with the trainings. Interested government agencies can learn more by visiting www.lattetrainingacademy.com and clicking on the appropriate link to view the course description and register for participation. (LTA)