Office staff development program begins

The seventh class of the Office Staff Development Program opened Monday with Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president for Duke Human Resources, endorsing the participants.“We as an organization believe in you as individuals and collectively,” Cavanaugh said. “We believe in you; believe in yourselves.”The Office Staff Development Program, led by the Professional Development Institute, provides training to participants to develop their abilities to handle critical administrative tasks and support career growth.“Duke is investing in its own workforce,” Cavanaugh said. “We’re identifying talent and providing them with core skill sets that will allow them to progress their careers.”Participants in the program submit a letter of interest, resume and a recommendation from their current supervisor. The Professional Development Institute Selection Committee then reviews the applications, conducts interviews, and recommends candidates. Participants commit to continue working at Duke for at least 18 months after completing the program.Jerome Edmonds, a graduate of the first class, currently works as a supervisor in the Brain Tumor Center. This year, he nominated one of his employees, Sheila Stainback, to participate in the program.The Office Staff Development Program has a 96 percent completion rate and a 90 percent promotion rate for graduates, said Sally Allison, manager of the Professional Development Institute.“The career advancement of employees like Jerome, who is now supporting the next generation of talent, speaks to the success of this program in a way that numbers cannot,” Allison said.