Professional Development

Human Resources Offered Sessions

Student Support Certificate and Student Affairs

Equity & Human Rights Sessions

Human Resources Offered Sessions:

Understanding Your Benefits (OPSEU, Exempt, TUFA) - presented by the Department of Human Resources
Register Here

Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom), link to be provided

This training session will help OPSEU, Exempt and TUFA employees make the most of the benefits available to you as part of our organization. We’ll walk through the full range of offerings, paid time off, and other benefits services.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Register Here

Date: Thursday, March 5 & Friday, March 6, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom), link to be provided

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Certification course is an interactive 2-day training for those committed to creating safe, more supportive environments. Full attendance from 9am to 4pm each day is required to obtain certification. In this course, participants can expect to increase their awareness of mental health, improve their confidence to provide help, decrease mental health related stigma, and enhance their own mental health. The course includes a formal assessment, and upon successful completion, participants will receive a 3 year credential as Certified Mental Health First Aiders.

Please note that cameras are expected to be on for the majority of this virtual training. There is a cost of $150 per participant that can be paid by departmental transfer. Space is limited to 15 participants.

Uncomfortable Conversations
Register Here

Date: Monday, March 23, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Peterborough Campus, Room TBD

This interactive training is geared towards non-management OPSEU and Exempt Staff to equip employees with practical tools and strategies to handle difficult conversations with confidence and respect. Participants will learn how to approach sensitive topics in a way that fosters trust, reduces stress, and strengthens relationships.

Resume Building and Interview Preparation - presented by Expert Career Advice
Register Here

Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom), link to be provided

This session will cover essential strategies for crafting a compelling resume that highlights your skills and achievements, as well as practical tips for preparing for interviews with confidence. You’ll learn how to tailor your resume for specific roles, avoid common mistakes, and showcase your unique value to employers. Additionally, we’ll explore techniques for answering challenging interview questions, building strong first impressions, and demonstrating professionalism throughout the hiring process.

Telus Health Sessions:

Setting and Achieving Your Goals
Register Here

Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom), link to be provided

Setting goals can help you achieve your desires in life. However, relatively few people actually prepare their objectives, perhaps because they feel that they do not have the time, the skills, or the resources to do so, or are hesitant to commit to their goal. This seminar will address the common challenges that participants may face as they begin to focus on their positive future. It will also discuss proven strategies to design goals, evaluate their completeness, and implement a plan to achieve them.

Resiliency at Work
Registration link coming soon

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom), link to be provided

Resilience is often described as your ability to bounce back from adversity. Being resilient is an important building block of individual and organizational health and well-being. This seminar will provide participants with an understanding of the different components that contribute to resiliency and will show them how they can thrive under pressure.

Student Support Certificate and Student Affairs:

For more information on Student Support Certificate (SSC) Sessions, please visit the Student Support Certificate website. Kindly be aware that the registration deadline for all workshops is set 48 hours, or two business days, prior to the scheduled event.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Register Here

Date: Monday, May 4 & Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Peterborough Campus, Room TBD

Participants will learn the skills to provide a suicide first-aid intervention, work with someone to develop a personalized safety plan to keep safe-for-now, and connect with further help. This is an in-person skills-based workshop where participants will learn a 6-task suicide first-aid model through presentations, interactive discussion, and feature videos. It includes extensive opportunities for skills practice through trainer-facilitated workgroups.

This session is not part of the Student Support Certificate. Please note that this is a 2 day workshop and participants must attend both days. Full attendance from 8:30am to 4:30pm each day is required to obtain certification. There is a cost of $50 per participant that can be paid by departmental transfer.

Positive Space (SSC)

Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD

In this session, participants will identify aspects of a positive space and discuss impressions of the queer community. We will compare and contrast sexual orientation and gender and how to respond to students coming out or questioning gender or sexual orientation.

Sexual Violence on Campus: Prevention, Intervention, and Survivor Support (SSC)

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom)

What would you do if a student informed you they had experienced sexual violence? This session will provide participants with practical strategies to support survivors of sexual violence. We will explore supports and services on and off- campus, including our policy regarding accommodations. Participants should expect to engage in an open discussion about sexual violence, consent and exploring campus and post-secondary sexual culture. 

Conflict Resolution and Complaints Processes (SSC)

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom)

When working with students, conflicts can arise over finances, grades and service.  Upon completion of this workshop, one will be better able to: identify situations in which conflict might arise; identify common underlying issues causing conflict, and; address and mediate conflict in a respectful manner.

Respecting Individuals and Supporting Equity (SSC)

Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD

Trent’s Equity and Human Rights Office (EHRO) offers a workshop on respecting individuals and supporting equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. This 2-hour workshop will move from theory to practice. Participants will (1) exploring some historical origins of inequity and intersectionality for context, (2) discuss present day equity issues, and (3) have participants co-create an action plan for incorporating best practices in equity into their role(s) at Trent, moving the Trent community from theory and awareness to intentional action.

Understanding Student Development (SSC)

Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom)

In this session, participants will review and analyze the demographics of Trent University students. We will explore the concept of intersectionality and apply this to theories of student development. Participants will have an opportunity to share their experiences and discuss case scenarios to apply learning.

Student Accessibility Services (SSC)

Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom)

The Student Accessibility Services session will review academic accommodation and our responsibilities under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We will reflect on ableism and the Disability Justice movement, exploring barriers that students may face when accessing post-secondary education. Participants will learn how Trent provides access through academic accommodation and the use of assistive technology. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own questions about the services provided by Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and how to promote accessible campuses and learning environments.

Supporting Religious Diversity (SSC)

Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom)

In this session, faculty and staff will deepen their understanding of religious demographics in Canada and at Trent, reflect on religious privilege and religious discrimination, and understand their duty to accommodate under the Ontario Human Rights code. Participants will learn about the function of Spiritual Affairs on campus and how to refer students to campus partners when appropriate. The workshop will include interactive student support scenarios where we will put theory into practice, and participants will be provided with suggestions for further learning.

Effective Communication and Referrals (SSC)

Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom)

In the Effective Communication and Referrals session, we will review active listening strategies and apply these skills. Participants will collaborate to apply their learning to a variety of student situations to appropriately refer students to campus resources.

SafeTALK

Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
Time: 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Champlain College CCN M2 (Council Chambers)

SafeTALK trains participants to recognize individuals with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. SafeTALK uses four steps (Tell, Ask, Listen and Keepsafe) to help a person with thoughts of suicide connect with a resource that will keep them keep safe.

More Feet on the Ground (SSC) - Registration not required

This is an online mental health awareness tool. Using the model, "recognize, respond & refer" this site provides post-secondary community members with information about supporting students with mental health concerns. The site contains information relevant to those working in post-secondary across Ontario and lists resources specific to Trent University.

Participants will learn to:
RECOGNIZE indicators that someone may be experiencing mental health concerns;

RESPOND appropriately to someone who needs support, based on the indicators present and your relationship with them;

REFER someone to mental health supports and services in an appropriate way; and
Describe best practices for reflecting after interacting with someone who may be upset or distressed

Complete More Feet on the Ground online at your own pace. To complete this training, click the link below. Read through the landing page and register at the top right of the page. You will be sent an email to confirm your registration at which point you can login to the site and work through the text and videos. After completing the three quizzes on the site, participants can print a certificate if desired. For those participating in the Student Support Certificate, this online module counts toward your certificate once you have completed the quizzes.

Visit the More Feet on the Ground website to review the material.

Just Get Over It (SSC)

Details to be announced

In this interactive session, participants explore the true and historic relationship between Indigenous Peoples and settlers. We will reflect on stereotypes, biases, and racism that still exist. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on their personal identities and learning within educational systems and discuss ways to make a difference in sharing these truths.

Equity & Human Rights Sessions:

Confronting Anti-Black Racism: Learning, Acting, and Collaborating

Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom), link to be provided

YouthREX Professional Development for Staff is a training session designed to deepen understanding of anti-racism principles and address both systemic and interpersonal forms of racism.

This session will support staff in building practical, actionable skills that contribute to fostering equitable and inclusive campus environments. Through guided discussion and reflection, participants will be encouraged to critically engage with their roles and responsibilities within institutional and community contexts.

More information found at trentu.ca/bhm

Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion - Learn More

Trent University is a partner to the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. Trent University employees have access to the many training tools and resources available through the CCDI website.

Upcoming Webinars:

January 15, 2026 - "Bias and belonging: Understanding and mitigating unconscious bias in Canadian workplaces"
February 5, 2026 - "Black History Month: Exploring Black leadership - Panel"
February 10, 2026 - "Disrupting microaggressions in the workplace"
June 11, 2026 - "Anti-racism and anti-oppression practices in action"
July 11, 2026- "Dignity and respect for all: Creating safer workplaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ people"

How to register for webinars:

View the Event Calendar
Click on the webinar you would like to attend.
Enter your information as required. Ensure you are using your Trent email address.
Select "Next", to proceed with registering for the free webinar.
Review registration details and select "Complete Registration".

Trent University Equity & Human Rights Office

Education & Training - Equity & Human Rights Office - Trent University

IT Training Sessions:

Digital Life at Trent - ongoing training. Self-registration in VIP

At Trent University, we are committed to providing our staff and faculty with the best digital tools and resources to enhance productivity, collaboration, and efficiency. This module series, Digital Life at Trent, will introduce you to the various digital services and platforms available to support your work and streamline your daily tasks.

Instructions how to self-register for course in VIP

Lunch & Learn

Lunch & Learn Webinar Schedule - Winter 2026

External Resources:

Below are external resources that staff may be interested in exploring. Please note that the content of these courses is not moderated by Trent University.

O'Reilly for Higher Education - L earn More

Access e-books, videos, self-directed courses and playlists focused on technology and business topics. Content covers Microsoft Office tools, software development, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and business topics including project management, marketing, leadership and human resources.

Personal Finance Essentials - L earn More

From budgeting to borrowing, real estate and beyond, invest a few hours in this free, online course and you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to make a lifetime of smart financial decisions.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning courses are available through the Peterborough Public Library and Oshawa Public Library to individuals with a library card. To access these courses or register for a free library card please visit your preferred library website.

Last Updated: January 26, 2026