Talent Development Courses

Recruit, develop, and retain a highly skilled workforce with Mid-State's talent development courses. Options include online or online live courses as well as free, self-paced instruction.

Search for classes and register online.

Current Opportunities

Language

Spanish Conversational

Expand your conversational skills in Spanish through interpersonal interactions based on topics of your choice. Conversations are guided with the use of authentic resources, images, and more. Participants can expect to use all modes of communication, interpretive listening/viewing, interpersonal speaking, and presentational speaking.

Wednesdays, March 18 – April 22 
6:00 – 7:30 p.m. • Online Live
Class #: 608 • Course Fee: $55
Instructor: Jasmine Parry
 

Public Safety

Vehicle Contact Instructor Course

Prepares participants to teach conducting vehicle contacts to police recruits and in-service officers based on the Law Enforcement Standards Board training guide.  Topics covered include the context of vehicle contacts, tactical evaluation, approach and non-approach contacts and high-risk vehicle contacts.

Monday, May 11 – Friday, May 15
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. • Wisconsin Rapids Campus
Class ID#: 624 • Course Fee: $160
Instructor: Jeff Mares

Professional Development

Team Building for Collaboration and Success

This course helps participants develop the skills and mindset needed to build strong, high-performing teams. Through interactive activities and practical strategies, learners will explore the foundations of trust, communication, and collaboration. The course emphasizes how to leverage individual strengths, manage group dynamics, and align team goals to achieve shared success. Participants will leave equipped to foster a positive, cohesive, and results-driven team

Tuesday, March 17 
8:00 – 11:00 a.m. • Online Live
Class ID#: 622 • Course Fee: $60
Instructor: Rich Gaertner

Bringing Out the Best in People

This course focuses on the skills and strategies needed to inspire, motivate, and develop others to reach their full potential. Participants will learn how to recognize individual strengths, provide constructive feedback, and create an environment that fosters engagement, growth, and collaboration. Through practical tools and real-world examples, the course empowers leaders and team members alike to build positive relationships and drive high performance through encouragement and support.

Tuesday, March 24 
8:00 – 11:00 a.m. • Online Live
Class ID#: 623 • Course Fee: $60

Business Leadership Influence

This engaging, high-energy session is designed for professionals at any level who want to elevate their impact and lead with confidence. The course explores how leadership differs from management by emphasizing influence over control, helping participants understand how authentic leadership emerges through trust, clarity, and intentional action. Through dynamic discussions and real-world scenarios, attendees learn to use power responsibly, communicate with purpose, and strengthen relationships that drive meaningful results. By the end, participants walk away with practical strategies to expand their influence and inspire others—no matter their role or experience.

*Free complimentary drink or treat

Wednesday, April 8
8:30 – 10:00 a.m. • Marshfield Two and a Half Cups Bakery
Class ID#: 610 • Course Fee: $40
Instructor: Ted Melby

Negotiation Skills

How comfortable are you with negotiation? We are constantly negotiating when managing workplace decisions, buying or selling, resolving disagreements, or navigating personal interactions. In this interactive seminar, participants will discover how to analyze motivations, evaluate options, and apply proven strategies that lead to win-win solutions. Participants will practice preparing negotiation plans, anticipating challenges, and responding with flexibility in complex situations. Through real-world scenarios, collaborative exercises, and discussions, attendees will leave with practical negotiation skills they can immediately apply.

Wednesday, April 15
2:00 – 4:30 p.m. • Stevens Point Campus
Class ID#: 609 • Course Fee: $40
Instructor: Ted Melby

Technology

Ethics and Societal Impacts AI

This course provides an exploration of the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on the responsible development and deployment of AI systems. Participants will discuss the foundational principles of responsible AI, including fairness, transparency, accountability, and privacy

Thursday, March 19 
5:00 – 8:00 p.m. • Stevens Point Campus/Online
Class #: 535 (In-person) Class #: 536 (online) • Course Fee: $45
Instructor: Brent Presley

Coding Tools for Programmers

This course is designed for software developers looking to familiarize themselves with the current set of AI coding tools. Explore the capabilities of Cursor, Windsurf, Claude’s code tools, and others through practical demonstrations.

Friday, March 27 
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. • Stevens Point Campus/Online
Class ID#: 537 (In-person) Class ID#: 538 (online) • Course Fee: $25
Instructor: Brent Presley

Creating Your Own MCP Server

In this class, students will design an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that exposes custom tools and resources, enabling AI clients to interact via standardized JSON-RPC protocols over HTTP or standard input/output. The course covers setting up the development environment, implementing and registering server tools, and testing client-server integration, giving hands-on experience with AI service architecture.

Friday, March 20 in person 26406 online 26406
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. • Stevens Point Campus/Online
Class ID#: XXX (In-person) Class ID#: XXX (online) • Course Fee: $25
Instructor: Brent Presley

Additional Options

Looking for something else? 

• Take a look at our continuing education offerings for a variety of professional upskilling options.
• Check out additional online classes through our partnership with ed2go.
• Explore Mid-State’s customized workforce training.