The NIH Training Center is also pleased to announced that an extra Executive Leadership Program session will run in 2025-26. Stay tuned for more news on the applications and nominations process in January 2025.

Visit the NIH Continuum of Career Development and the NIH Continuum of Leadership Development websites to see which program is the right choice for you. If you have questions about NIH Career and Leadership Development Programs, reach out to the program contacts listed above. 

Soft Skills Summer Is Here

Soft Skills Summer is now in full swing - and extends into September this fiscal year! What better way to use end-of-year funds than to invest in yourself and your team? Register for a professional development course to help advance your skills, become a more effective leader, and expand your NIH professional network. Whatever your topic of interest, we have a course for you. Seats are limited for the popular classes. Click on the schedule below and register today! 

Soft Skills Summer Schedule

How Can We Assist You? 

Selecting the right training from many options can seem overwhelming. We are here to help! Send an email to an NIHTC Program Manager with your questions or join their office hours to meet with them virtually. The majority of Program Managers have office hours. Here’s your opportunity to ask specific questions about the various classes and programs they manage. 

Bob Michon: 
Pre-retirement classes, DDM Seminar Series, Individual Development Plan (IDP) Consulting, Mid-Level Leadership Program, Internal Leadership Coaching
Mondays 1:30PM-2:30PM and Fridays 12:30PM-1:30PM

Sandy Giordano: 
Senior Leadership Program, Supervisory Skills Training, NIH Title 42 Training, Federal HR for Admin Professionals Training, and NIH Mandatory Training
Tuesdays 1:00PM-2:00PM and Thursdays 1:00PM-2:00PM

Michele Schwartzman: 
LMS Administrator Training
Thursdays 10:00AM-11:00AM

Rick Hawkins: 
Management Intern Program, Individual Development Plan (IDP) Consulting, and the Management Seminar Series
Mondays 10:00AM-11:00AM

Virginia (Verzhiniya) Tancheva: 
Budget & Data Skills Courses, Purchase Card Training, and Group Training
Mondays 1:00PM-2:00PM and Fridays 1:00PM-2:00PM

Check out the conversation that took place when we dropped in on Bob Michon’s office hours:

NIHTC:  How do people connect with you during office hours? 

Bob: First, thanks for dropping in. My office hours are twice per week, Mondays from 1:30-2:30 and Fridays from 12:30-1:30. The most direct way to reach me is to do what you did—click on the link to my personal Zoom room during those hours. Of course, you can always email me and request that I send you a link with my office hour times. 

NIHTC: What kinds of things do you discuss during your office hours, Bob? 

Bob: Goodness, it ranges across so many topics! I manage a number of programs including the Mid-level Leadership Program, the DDM Seminar Series, IDP Consulting and Workshops, Internal Leadership Coaching, and Pre-retirement Preparedness classes. Though by no means the expert in any of those program areas, I do receive a fair number of questions asking to clarify some features of these important classes and programs. 

NIHTC: Are there particular topics that you really enjoy discussing? 

Bob: I’m so glad you asked that! A common theme in the above programs is that they address the intent of people who wish to have a greater impact in a position they’re currently in or one that they aspire to be in. So, a common topic is discussing how a program might further that intent. That discussion on possible learning pathways for people who have that intent is one that I love.   

NIHTC: Anything else you’d like to share with our readers? 

Bob: Consider joining our office hours! Training Center Program Managers are available to answer your questions and provide guidance on your learning and development needs.

Contact NIHTrainingCenter@nih.gov with questions and to learn more about office hours.

Exciting Changes to LMS Administrator Training in FY25

Get ready for a new way to attend LMS Administrator Training in FY25. We’re adding more options to complete Learning Administrator and Local Learning Registrar classes. The virtual instructor-led classes will continue to be offered once per quarter, and a new blended learning option will be available. Students will complete a self-paced online training followed by a hands-on lab component. After completing the self-paced online course, students can register for one of the monthly lab sessions to demonstrate skills learned with an instructor. The virtual lab will also provide students with the opportunity to ask questions before assuming their new LMS Administrator role. 

Stay tuned for more exciting news from the LMS Administrator Training Program in the months ahead. In the meantime, there are still opportunities to attend FY24 LMS Administrator Trainings in their current delivery format—click the links to register.

LMS Learning Administrator

LMS Local Learning Registrar

In addition, if you are an LMS Administrator, be sure to attend the bimonthly LMS Administrator office hours. Keep an eye out for LMS Administrator listserv notifications with details on attending. 

For more information and guidance, visit the LMS Support website or contact NIHTrainingCenter@nih.gov. 

Acquisition Recertification: A Success

In 2022, HHS transitioned the recertification period for Federal Acquisition Certifications to a common time period of May 1, 2022–April 30, 2024. Acquisition workforce professionals holding designations in Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C), Contracting Officer’s Representatives (FAC‑COR), and Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) were required to meet the continuous learning points (CLP) requirement by April’s deadline to maintain and keep that designation. 

While acquisition workforce professionals had a wide array of options to obtain their CLPs, the NIHTC jumped into action by increasing the second quarter acquisition training schedule, adding 20 additional classes. Announcements posted on the NIHTC website, monthly email bulletins to the acquisition community, Viva Engage (Yammer) posts, and Highlights newsletter articles let the NIH community know about these classes. Congratulations to all who obtained their recertification before the April deadline!  

Check out the NIHTC Acquisition Management catalog to learn about the more than 25 classes available, how many CLPs you can earn for each, and to register for an upcoming FY24 offering. Contact acquisition training program manager, Nabilah Pape with questions.