The Professional Development & Training Center of SW Michigan is a non-profit 501 (C) 3, Michigan licensed proprietary school. The PDTC believes that every adult should have the opportunity to enhance their personal, technical and professional skills required to earn a living wage in today’s economy.

Our mission is to assist in raising individuals’ earning potential through training in professional office skills. Upon completion of our program, students will have the confidence and ability to compete for entry-level positions in the employment market.


Award Nominations
Nominated 2006 and 2007 for the AHSA (American Humanics Student Association at WMU) for best emerging non-profit that has been incorporated five years or less. 2007 PDTC was one of three runner-ups out of 100 nominees!

Career Transition Loans
You May Qualify for up to a $10,000 Career Transition Loan! In cooperation with the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG), First Community Federal Credit Union is committing a limited amount of Career Transition Loan funds to qualifying members.

More Education = Good Jobs
According to a wide range of economic, education and business experts, good jobs require more math and English than ever before, and workers will need some postsecondary education or training to meet the needs of the high performance workplace.


 

 

 

In 2004, one in eight Michigan residents and almost one in seven Kalamazoo County residents lived in poverty (US Census Bureau). Michigan’s economy continues to struggle compared to the other states (Upjohn Institute, 2006). The local manufacturing sector, especially automotive, furniture, and paper industries continue to lay off workers. In order for these individuals to reenter the workforce, they need additional training and workforce skills to enter into jobs that can sustain above poverty level wages.

The State of Michigan has a Work First program administrated through Michigan Works! Department that helps assist the unemployed or under-employed (working but making less than poverty wages) seek employment to improve their living conditions. Most employment contractors or placement agencies only provide one week of training and retooling for individuals, reducing the likelihood that individuals will receive sufficient training and retooling to effectively seek long term employment to improve their condition.

The Professional Development & Training Center (PDTC) seeks to improve employment conditions by providing personal, administrative, and technical skills to help individuals write résumé s, interview, present, sell, and market in today’s work force. PDTC partners with local employers to enable students to learn the necessary skills to again become successful employees and contributors to the local economy.

Click below to read articles about PDTC

"Refurbishing lives is goal of new center"
Kalamazoo Gazette CityLife

"Former bank VP's firm retrains folks in middle"
Kalamazoo Gazette

  • Office and Business Fundamentals : A six week entry level administrative training program. Class size is limited to fifteen students per class to ensure each student receives the attention they need to be successful. Click to learn more.
  • Business Administration Program: Students are taught basic office skills such as: creating documents with Microsoft Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, and Excel, how to use the internet to search for employment and business use, how to work as a team in the workplace and to achieve a common goal, professional office etiquette and responsibilities, and accountability and commitment. Students will also learn how to develop job search talents such as: Rèsumè and cover letter preparations, and how to interview for a job with confidence. Click to learn more.
  • Sales and Marketing 101: Students are introduced to sales and marketing job skills such as: focused business-to-business networking, market management, goal setting and meeting quotas, developing PowerPoint presentations, time management, record keeping, developing and closing a sale. Click to learn more.
  • Basic Supervisory: Students are introduced to various supervisory and management skills such as: interviewing and diversity skills, scheduling, professional presentation & meeting preparation, conflict management, coaching, and employee appraisals. Click to learn more.
  • Training Solutions: A variety of short term training opportunities with training professionals. Topics may include: Excel, PowerPoint, Internet Research, MS Publisher, and My Space for Parents. Click to learn more.

Current volunteer opportunities include:

  • Mock Interviewers: To practice interviewing skills with students at PDTC. Each volunteer session lasts approximately two hours. Please contact Diane Campbell at 269-492-1460 for more information.
  • Entry Level Microsoft Instructor: To work with individuals in the Career Path class, or in the Training Solutions programs. (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Committee Members: There are times that we need ad hoc committees for marketing, finance, and events. If you would be interested in volunteering on a specialized committee, please contact: Stacy Rodgers at 269-492-1460.


  • Recruitment: Work with our Placement Coordinator the next time you need a “Direct Hire” employee. The Placement Center offers a training and assessment system that assists in evaluating candidates’ skills for the right job “fit” including: required job experience, proven skills, motivation, and work ethic.

  • Job Openings: PDTC will post your openings in a confidential manner so that the student alumni will see what your staffing needs are. Students will contact the Placement Coordinator for recent testing and skill evaluation, and individuals with the skill sets that you are looking for will have their résumé s submitted.
  • Rèsumès and Testing: Profiles will be posted for your review after classes complete their course work and the students receive their certificates. When you find candidates to interview, you may call the Placement Center Coordinator to set up interview dates.