Professional Development

Human Resources Offered Sessions

Student Support Certificate and Student Affairs

Human Resources Offered Sessions:

Supervising Student Employees
Register Here

Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom), link to be provided

This session is targeted towards non-management employees who supervise student employees. Human Resources will outline the obligations of supervisors under the ESA, OHSA, and University policies and procedures. Participants will also leave with an understanding of recruitment & onboarding best practices and how to navigate the performance management process.

Emerging Leaders: Developing Leadership Excellence - Presented by Working Human
Register Here - Please note, Human Resources will review and confirm your registration upon submission.

Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Peterborough Campus, Room TBD

This half-day professional development session is designed for aspiring and emerging leaders, and is targeted towards OPSEU & Exempt employees who do not hold formal leadership roles. The learning will centre on foundational leadership principles, including effective communication, conflict management, and the essential skills required to motivate, inspire, and foster engagement to drive transformative results. Please note, that if enrolment exceeds capacity, preference will be given to those in team lead roles or who supervise student employees.

Advanced Communication and Presentation Skills Workshop, presented by Commanding Presence
Register Here

Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom), link to be provided

This workshop will empower participants to distill complex information into clear, impactful messages for small talks, small or large meetings, and high-stakes presentations. Participants will learn skills that will help them to communicate with precision, whether in-person or virtual, ensuring their message is understood and remembered.

Telus Health Offered Sessions:

Building Bridges: Collaboration at Work
Register Here

Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom), link to be provided

Having to work with others is a common requirement in the workplace. When collaboration is successful, you feel positive, productive, and willing to face any challenge. This seminar will build on the notion that cooperation and building bridges can be learned and should be practiced. It will teach participants the key elements of teamwork and provide them with the opportunity to practice collaboration-building techniques.

Virtual Fatigue: Prevention and Practical Tips to Reduce its Impacts
Register Here

Date: Monday, November 17, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom), link to be provided

Many employees are reporting excessive amounts of fatigue after handling their caseloads through video conferencing and technology. In addition to the physical experience of fatigue, employees are experiencing back or neck pain, headaches, eye-strain, and more. Some researchers are linking these phenomena to increased cognitive challenges related to technology even coining the term “Zoom Fatigue.” During this webinar, find out more about this phenomenon, how to prevent it, and discover practical tips and strategies that you can use to lessen the stresses of using daily videoconferencing and technology.

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.

Positive Space (SSC)
Register Here

Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Peterborough Campus, Otonabee College

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)
Register Here

Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
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)
Register Here

Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
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)
Register Here

Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Peterborough Campus, Otonabee College

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)
Register Here

Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025
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)
Register Here

Date: Wednesday November 12, 2025
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)
Register Here

Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025
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)
Register Here

Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
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
Register Here

Date: Monday, December 8, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Peterborough Campus, Bata Library

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:

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:

October 2, 2025: "Promoting inclusive language in Canadian workplaces"
November 20, 2025: "Techquity in the digital age: Exploring the intersection of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and AI driven innovation"
December 2, 2025: "Strengthening our workplace culture through psychosocial safety"

How to register for webinars:

Navigate to Events, click on Webinars. You are redirected to the Event Calendar
Through 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 - Fall 2025

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: September 16, 2025