The program is a peer-based program and uses subject matter experts or “Skill Experts” who can offer training on specific on-demand topics. When faculties or units have an employee with a specific training need, they can request a training session with one of the Skill Experts identified with expertise on that topic.

Benefits of the UM Skills Sharing program include:

• Improved consistency of standard processes and sharing of best practices.
• Enhanced support and resources for new and existing support staff.
• Increased opportunities for support staff to upskill and develop pathways for future career opportunities.
• Opportunity for support staff to build their internal professional networks.

Current Skills Share training opportunities include academic-related processes suitable for administrative roles involved in academic processes, and administrative committee work suitable for administrative roles that include supporting faculty and unit committees.

Interested in becoming a Skill Expert or participating in a Skills Share training session?

Visit the UM Intranet for more details on current offerings.   Employees are encouraged to speak to their managers to participate in the program. Managers are asked to email skillshare@umanitoba.ca when a Skill Expert is identified or to make a request for training.

Learning & Organizational Development (LOD) has announced that registration is open for January 2025 workshops. LOD programs and services are fully funded by Human Resources as part of its commitment to employee development, with courses available exclusively to University of Manitoba employees.

All UM employees can visit the LODreg web page right now to view available programs. February workshops and sessions will open for registration in early January.

Some workshops that may interest you include:

Training: Design & Development
If you are ever called upon to train others, this half-day workshop will give you a solid foundation in the training design models used in LOD to support people to learn new skills in a collaborative and engaging environment.

Managing the Respectful Workplace
We all hold a responsibility to avoid behaviours that, even unintentionally, may reasonably offend, intimidate, embarrass or humiliate others.  This workshop explores ways that all of us, and especially those with people management responsibilities, can support a respectful workplace.

Influencing Change
Using influence to initiate and support change means having an impact on achieving results and being able to recognize the key moments, or conversations, where you can make a difference.

Change Models and Methods
There are several models and methods to approach, implement, coordinate and support change. In this workshop, participants will review the characteristics of several common change models and explore the strengths and challenges of each.

Introduction to Human Resources
This workshop explores the human resources aspects of the employee life cycle. While this is the first workshop in the UM Human Resources Essentials Program, it can be taken as a stand-alone workshop for those who want to learn more about human resource management at the university.

Introduction to Management
Learn the fundamentals about setting strategy, creating values, and developing management styles, along with practicing basic coaching skills. While this is the first workshop in the UM Management Fundamentals Program, it can be taken on its own by anyone who wants to learn about managing and supervising others at the university.

This is just a sampling of the available workshops. You can find course details and registration information on these and other workshops on the LOD website. 

Remember to check the website regularly in the coming months to view more sessions and dates as the winter unfolds.

Registration for new workshops typically opens six to eight weeks in advance, so employees are encouraged to regularly check back for workshop of interest.

For information on all of the LOD services and resources, visit the Career Development intranet page.

The LOD workshop registration page (LODReg) also lists sessions that can enhance your knowledge of Microsoft 365 products, boost your accessibility knowledge or teach you more about Aurora Finance, with sessions facilitated by subject matter experts across our institution. 

“LOD provides training and development opportunities intended for support and administrative staff,” says Sandra Woloschuk, Associate Director, Learning and Organizational Development in Human Resources. All LOD programs and services are fully funded by Human Resources and there is no cost or chargeback to units or departments. 

So, what are some of the fall workshops you should know about?

“New this fall is our “Inclusive Hiring Practices” workshop,” says Woloschuk. “This three-hour workshop explores implicit bias and how it can impact decision making, particularly in the hiring process. Attendees will learn how to recognize bias and practice practical strategies and techniques to address both individual and systemic bias.”

“One of our most requested training topics relates to change,” continues Woloschuk. “We offer a three-hour workshop on “Influencing Change” that provides guidance on how to use influence to impact how we achieve results, communicate, collaborate, and commit to action.”

“Training: Design and Development” is another course available this fall. “Anyone who is, or may be asked to, develop training or to participate in training others can benefit from learning the simple instructional design model we use in LOD and following the the step-by-step process and templates that we provide in the workshop,” says Woloschuk.

Other sessions available this fall include:

• Presentation Skills
• Managing the Respectful Workplace
• Project Management
• Introduction to Human Resources
• Introduction to Management 

This is just a sampling of the available workshops. You can find course details and registration information on these and other workshops on the LOD website. 

Remember to check the website regularly in the coming months to view more sessions and dates as the fall unfolds.

Happy learning!

“The work of our academic support staff, in supporting faculty members and students and administering programs and services across our campus community, is critical to the success of our institution,” says Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic). “We saw this conference as an opportunity to show our appreciation for their work and to invest in their development.”

Fostering awareness of the role of the Provost and the portfolios within the Provost Office was an important objective of the conference. “The opening session, as well as content throughout the day, outlined the scope of academic activities that our office oversees, and built understanding of how we all work together to advance UM’s teaching, learning and research mission,” says Rowena Krentz, Director of the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic).

The conference offered breakout sessions and presentations covering relevant topics to participant roles:

• Students at UM: The Heartbeat of our Institution
• Academic Program Review Site and Visit Management Tips
• Academic Hiring Processes and Initiatives
• Excel Tips and Tricks
• Supporting Graduate Education, Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows
• Responding to mental health distress in students
• Microaggressions in the workplace

Overall, the conference offered the opportunity to network with colleagues from different units and feel more connected to UM as a whole. One participant commented, “Many times I’ve found that faculties and units are siloed and this conference provided a great opportunity for support staff to interact with staff from other areas, as well as feel appreciation for their work from the university.”

Learn more about the Provost and Vice-President (Academic).

Excitement is brewing among students! In November 2023, our Aurora Project team unveiled a demo of the New Aurora Launch page at seven UM locations, receiving rave reviews. Students praised the integration of Aurora and UM Learn, the improved user interface, and expressed anticipation for its release.

Accessing the New Aurora Launch page

Log in to Aurora.umanitoba.ca using your umanitoba.ca email, and you’ll be directed to the New Aurora Launch page. Here, you’ll find cards instead of links and tabs, providing access to tools, resources, and webpages.  Staff will find a card guiding them back to “Aurora Classic” until the transition to the next phase of the project.

As we progress through 2024, students can expect the gradual introduction of new functionality. Throughout this project journey, it’s important to keep these key definitions in mind:

Aurora Classic, also known as SSB8, refers to our current self-service student information system used by both students and some staff members.

New Aurora is the next generation of self-service, including the New Aurora Launch page and additional updated functionality and tools.

Aurora Admin (commonly referred to as Banner, Admin Pages, or Aurora INB) is the backend of Aurora. This is the database that holds student records. Aurora Admin allows for further administrative functions that are not available in Aurora Student. These pages will not be changing.

Stay informed about our progress by visiting the Aurora Modernization Project on SharePoint or signing up for our email list. Together, let’s embrace this exciting journey towards a better student experience with New Aurora!

Each year, students are invited to nominate a University staff member (Indigenous or non-Indigenous) who went above and beyond for them during their academic journey – someone who inspired them academically, culturally, spiritually, physically/emotionally and made a positive impact on them.   

This year the honour goes to Lorna Trapp. Trapp works for the Access Program which provides holistic support to students on their academic journey. Trapp takes on quite a few roles to ensure students are financially stable, such as assisting Indigenous students with Manitoba Student Aid, helping them apply for band funding, sending monthly updates on available bursaries and reminders on upcoming deadlines. 

“I have a unique situation and have often struggled with Manitoba Student Aid. I don’t think that I would have received adequate funding to complete my degree without Lorna’s help – I wish everyone had as much ambition and spirit as she does,” says student Veronica Dueck, who nominated Trapp for the award. “Staff members like her are so appreciated and have really strived to make a difference in Indigenous students’ lives at the University of Manitoba. I can’t thank her enough”. 

With over eight years of experience, Trapp is passionate about helping students navigate the financial aspects of being a university student.  

“I am honoured to have worked with the Access program for the last eight years and to have the opportunity every day to assist the students in whatever capacity I can,” says Trapp. “I am thrilled to know that my efforts have had a significant impact on a student’s educational journey and that I have had a very small part in her success.” 

About Lorna Trapp: 
Lorna is from St. Adolphe, Manitoba and is passionate about animals. Her dedication to supporting students has earned her a reputation as a respected member of the university community. Lorna is very humbled to have been chosen as this year’s recipient.

The SSEF is an established UM trust whose objective is supporting professional development-related activities for support staff. The objective is to encourage employee connection, engagement and learning, through awards for education or training and sponsoring or co-sponsoring engagement events that bring the support staff of our community together. The committee distribute the fund’s interest through these awards and annual activities.

Annual activities may include participation in organizing the Support Staff Learning Exchange, awarding textbook and other learning awards, hosting guided campus walking tours, and coordinating the VIP Folklorama bus tour.

Becoming a committee member

The committee meets monthly at the Fort Garry campus; members can also attend meetings virtually. In addition to monthly committee meetings, members also have working group or sub-committee responsibilities.

Terms are typically for three years and a variety of roles are available. The committee seeks representation from all campuses and from excluded support staff (EMAPS) and members of bargaining units, in continuing appointments of .5 or greater.

The application process

If you are interested in serving on the University’s Support Staff Endowment Fund (SSEF) committee, we invite you to apply by completing the application form on UM Intranet. Please note that you must be logged in with your @umantioba.ca email address to access employee content on UM Intranet.

Applications are due by 4:00 pm on February 15 to: Stephanie.Yarema@umanitoba.ca

For more information on the SSEF, please visit: Support Staff Endowment Fund Advisory Committee on UM Intranet. 

LOD is committed to supporting the learning and development of employees. All programs and services are fully funded by Human Resources and there is no cost or chargeback to units or departments. 

Register now for these LOD sessions — and be sure to check the location prior to registering, since many workshops are online. Look for additional in-person workshops that will be available in the spring.

Here’s a taste of upcoming offerings!

To register, visit: https://umanitoba.gosignmeup.com/Public/Course/Browse

Note: Registration is open through to the end of February 2023.

Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness is an opportunity to give our bodies, minds and emotions a bit of breathing room and rest so we can come back to our work with greater clarity and calm. Taking a purposeful pause in a busy day to practice mindfulness is a way to train our minds, to anchor our focus and attention in the midst of the noise and endless invitations for distraction, and grow a sense of inner calm and stability that can support us through the rest of the day. Four sessions are offered this winter and you are welcome to join any session, or all of them. Each session will include an introduction of one or two mindfulness practices, guided mindfulness meditation and an opportunity for reflection.

Pathing Your UM Career: Transferable Skills

Internal employees may not see themselves as a candidate for an available role, even if they are at least partially qualified for it. We tend to not see our own skills and experience from the perspective of applying them to a different role. How are you thinking about your professional progression and ways that your skills and knowledge might be applied to continue your career. In this session, you will learn about ways to describe your skills and view them as applicable to other types of work and roles. This is one of a series of short sessions being offered this winter to support employees in their current, or a future role, at the university.

Pathing Your UM Career: Interviews

For many employees, it may have been years since they last interviewed for a position. In this session, you will explore ways to prepare for a variety of types of interviews including online, in person, telephone and panel interviews. Each interview type can present its own challenges and this session will address the skills and techniques that you can use to prepare for an interview where you can share the depth of your knowledge and experience, and prepare to respond to the most commonly asked questions in ways that highlights your abilities.

Hybrid Teams: Meetings

Hybrid teams, where some people are working on campus and others are working remotely, experience some unique challenges when meeting. How can you ensure that everyone is able to participate in the meeting; how can we engage with all attendees regardless of their location; what are our expectations around participation; and what lessons have we already learned. In this session, you will learn some best practices for hybrid meetings, and have time to discuss experiences to learn lessons from your colleagues.

Hybrid Teams: Collaboration & Team Building

It can be daunting for hybrid teams to replicate the environments where team members can build close connections with each other, or honing their communication and collaborations skills. In this session you will learn best practices for collaboration and team building no matter the location of your team members. Participants will also have an opportunity to share their experiences and build upon the lessons we have already learned.

To register for LOD workshops, visit: https://umanitoba.gosignmeup.com/Public/Course/Browse

For more information on LOD programs and services, log into the UM Intranet, select “Employee Resources” and under “Learning and growth” select “Employee Career Development” (note: you must be logged in with your @umanitoba.ca employee email address to access UM Intranet).

Unifor represents approximately 335 active caretakers, power engineers, tradespersons and dining services employees.

“Unifor employees provide critical support for UM services and infrastructure, helping create an outstanding learning and teaching environment. We value their contributions toward making our campuses wonderful places to be,” says Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor. “Thank you to both teams for their work towards this agreement.”

The collective agreement’s salary adjustments include a 1.75% increase effective April 1, 2022, and a 2% increase effective March 25, 2023.

More details about the collective agreement and the revised salary schedule will be found on the Human Resources Unifor webpage on UM Intranet when the revised agreement is posted. (Please note you must be logged in with your @umanitoba.ca email address to access employee content on UM Intranet.)

As the University of Manitoba continues to plan for in-person work and learning this September, this will include the return to campus of most of our students, faculty and staff members.

Units will have the option for Fall Term 2022 of continuing to allow flexible work arrangements currently in place for support staff, based on their specific operational needs.

Flexible work means occasional or scheduled work arrangements that allow for a combination of on-campus work and up to two days per week of at-home work. Deans, Vice-Presidents, Associate Vice-Presidents, and Vice-Provosts will decide when these arrangements can be accommodated based on the operational needs of their unit(s).

Support staff interested in a flexible work arrangement for Fall Term 2022 should reach out to their managers to discuss possible options, with the final decision resting with the respective Deans, Vice-Presidents, Associate Vice-Presidents, and Vice-Provosts. Please note that approval for flexible work during Summer Term does not guarantee a similar approval for Fall Term, given the increased on-campus presence expected and corresponding service needs.

Consultation is underway regarding a possible formal flexible work program, engaging stakeholders and conducting environmental scans. An announcement is forthcoming later this fall.

See previous announcement: https://news.umanitoba.ca/ums-flexible–work-arrangement-for-summer-2022/