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.


 

 

 


PDTC envisions being a leader in assisting unemployed and under-employed individual’s transition into meaningful employment in Southwestern Michigan. This will be accomplished through:

  • Respect of individual beliefs
  • Encouragement of individual talents
  • Education as an enabler for refocusing
  • Trust between individuals
  • Relationships as a foundation for community
  • Compassion for those seek assistance
  • Integrity in everyday decisions and actions
  • Employment as means to financial independence and stability

PDTC believes that every adult should have the confidence and ability to enhance their personal, technical and professional skills required to earn a living wage in today’s economy.

Our mission is to provide entry level education and employment opportunities to help individuals find meaningful employment or seek higher education opportunities

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.

Board Officers

Kevin Shaffer, Board President
Jaime Langfeldt, Board Treasurer, Finance Committee
Angela Sykes, Interim Secretary

Board Members

Kevin Shaffer, Board President & Marketing Committee
Tiffany Jackson, Finance Committee
Angela Sykes, Interim Secretary
Lori Mercedes`
Stacy L. Rodgers (Non Voting)
Director & Founder
Professional Development & Training Center of SW Michigan
225 Parsons Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269.492.1460 |


Finance Committee

Jamie Langfeldt
Suzanne Rhoades-Tidey
Stacy Rodgers

Technology Committee

Brian Kimbrough
Jim Penix
Russ Gillis
Stacy Rodgers
Mark Mueller

Marketing Committee

Michele LaDuke
Elizabeth Brundage
Nicole Fonger
Rick Shanley
Stacy Rodgers
Jim Penix

Alumni Committee

Kimberly Woodruff
Judy Larson
Pat Buchanan
Lou Ella Knox
Mary Hempsell