Employee Relations & Organizational Development
UAlbany is committed to life-long learning, and our employees are no exception. Career skills, tuition reimbursement and certificate programs are just some of the options UAlbany provides to help you reach your career goals.
Employee Relations & Organizational Development works with all UAlbany employees to identify training and development needs, and then coordinates with partners to design and deliver training and development opportunities.
Questions or suggestions? Contact Employee Relations & Organizational Development at 518-437-4722 or by email at [email protected].
Fall 2026 Training & Development Events
Supervisor Network for Success (SNfS)
The Supervisor Network for Success series is designed for UAlbany employees serving in supervisory roles who are full-time state employees with contractual obligations related to the management of unionized personnel. Supervisors across all divisions, bargaining units, and experience levels are invited to register.
October SNfS Offerings
Performance Management 101: The Classified Service
- When: 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 13, 2026
- Duration: 1 hour
- Where: Zoom
- Register for SNfS: Performance Management 101: Classified
This training outlines the process for creating and evaluating performance programs for employees in the Classified Service (CSEA and PEF), including timelines, documentation and SMART goal setting.
Performance Management 101: The Unclassified Service
- When: 1 p.m. Tuesday, October 27, 2026
- Duration: 1 hour
- Where: Zoom
- Register for SNfS: Performance Management 101: Unclassified
Performance programs and evaluations for employees in the Unclassified Service (UUP & M/C), are essential tools designed to help supervisors ensure performance assessments are fair, effective, and contribute to employee development. Join the ER Team for this engaging session on how to establish a strong performance program and complete a performance evaluation.
Writing SMART Performance Standards
- When: 10 a.m. Thursday, October 29, 2026
- Duration: 1 hour
- Where: Zoom
- Register for SNfS: Writing SMART Performance Standards
How well do you communicate expectations to your staff? Take your supervisor skills to the next level by practicing how to develop clear, measurable, and actionable performance standards using the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). Together we will practice writing performance standards for UAlbany jobs.
November SNfS Offerings
Performance Programs 201: The Unclassified Service
- When: 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- Duration: 1 hour
- Where: Zoom
- Register for SNfS: Performance Programs 201: Unclassified
Are you and your direct reports in the Unclassified Service (UUP & M/C) getting the most out of Performance Programs? Performance Programs can be an incredible tool to support employee development, career growth, and performance excellence. Join ER and let’s practice writing programs that are impactful. This will be an interactive session with hands-on activities. Prerequisite: Performance Management 101 is highly recommended.
Performance Programs 201: The Classified Service
- When: 1 p.m. Thursday, November 5, 2026
- Duration: 1 hour
- Where: Zoom
- Register for SNfS: Performance Programs 201: Classified
Are you and your direct reports in the Classified Service (CSEA & PEF) getting the most out of Performance Programs? Performance Programs can be an incredible tool to support employee development, career growth, and performance excellence. Join ER and let’s practice writing programs that are impactful. This will be an interactive session with hands-on activities. Prerequisite: Performance Management 101 is highly recommended.
Difficult Conversations
- When: 1 p.m. Tuesday, November 17, 2026
- Duration: 1 hour
- Where: Zoom
- Register for SNfS: Difficult Conversations
Communication is an important part of a supervisor’s role. Learning how to navigate topics such as performance issues, giving constructive feedback, managing conflict, and handling sensitive personal matters takes time and practice. Join us to discuss strategies to help you begin to gain confidence in managing difficult conversations while maintaining positive working relationships and promoting employee growth.
Responsible Off-Boarding
- When: 10 a.m. Thursday, November 19, 2026
- Duration: 1 hour
- Where: Zoom
Register for SNfS: Responsible Off-Boarding November 19
As a supervisor, it's crucial to facilitate a smooth and respectful off-boarding process for employees. From notice requirements and exit procedures to relevant policies, procedures, and agreements, ensuring a seamless transition is key. Join us as we explore the resources and policies available to help you manage off-boarding effectively and responsibly.
Continuous Professional Development Opportunities
Digital Accessibility Training
UAlbany is dedicated to continuing our commitment to integrate digital accessibility across our community.
Deque University offers free, online accessibility training to help you get started. Explore all free accessibility training opportunities.
UAlbany Resources
Opportunities for All Employees
- UAlbany Admissions
- Microcredentials
- Continuing Education
- Digital Accessibility
- Tuition Waiver Programs
- Office of Regulatory & Research Compliance
Opportunities for Faculty
SUNY Center for Professional Development
The SUNY Center for Professional Development (CPD) offers an incredible array of learning opportunities.
As part of UAlbany’s commitment to provide all employees with access to high quality training and development, HR is pleased to share a streamlined UAlbany CPD General Points Procedure to financially support professional development opportunities through SUNY CPD.
Using CPD General Points, UAlbany employees can access a wide range of learning experiences — such as webinars, workshops, and certificate programs — that support skill-building, knowledge enhancement and career growth.
Eligibility: All full-time and part-time New York State employees at UAlbany are eligible to apply, provided they meet employment criteria at the time of application, during the activity and upon completion.
How to Apply: Once you find a SUNY CPD General Points opportunity you are interested in, complete the UAlbany CPD General Points Application. For full details, please see the attached guidance document. Note: For SUNY CPD Technical Point opportunities, please reach out to Sandy Cowin at [email protected].
Learn More about SUNY CPD
- Access the CPD Program and Events Calendar.
- The SUNY Learning Commons facilitates cross-campus collaboration and communication and brings together Communities of Practice across the SUNY System.
- Program Areas are available for faculty, instructional designers, librarians, student success and support professionals, business operations staff, information technology staff, campus leadership, and others in administrative roles in higher education.
- Lumen Circles Fellowships: Learning Communities for Effective Teaching provide opportunities to connect with other faculty members as you explore effective instructional practices that support student success and apply them in your own teaching.
New York State Resources
New York State Office of Employee Relations (OER)
Training and professional development programs enhance the on-the-job skills and competence of New York State employees. Some programs and services are available to all State employees while others are available only to employees in a particular bargaining unit. Please review the New York State Office of Employee Relations (OER) webpages for information.
Statewide Learning Management System (SLMS)
The Statewide Learning Management System (SLMS) provides New York State employees with access to free trainings and resources. Review guides for using the SMLS: SLMS video and SLMS desk aid.
New York State Career Mobility Office
The New York State Career Mobility Office (CMO) provides services related to career mobility and retraining to address workforce needs to all New York State employees, agencies, and authorities.
Classified Service: Civil Service Employee Association (CSEA)
NYS & CSEA Partnership
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your skills, earn a degree, prepare for a promotion, or explore a new career path, the Partnership is ready to help.
The Skills for Success provides courses that cover a wide range of topics, including communication, language, math, safety and health, trades, operations and maintenance, work management, and more.
The Fall 2026 Skills for Success Course Catalogue is now available.
- Self-paced online courses
- Live, Instructor-Led & In-person & Online
- Online Learning Certificate Programs
Education & Career Advisement Services
Expert advisors guide you through career and education options, tuition benefits, and financial resources to help you achieve your personal and professional goals.
Save money on tuition and exam fees for college degree, trade training, essential skills, or job-specific certifications - up to $2,500 in additional tuition support by enrolling in a training program for high-demand career fields in New York State
Career Development Programs
Trades, Operations & Maintenance
Programs to help you improve language (ESOL and pronunciation), reading, writing, and math skills.
Administrative Assistant Traineeship (AAT)
Two-year program prepares Administrative Assistant Trainees for advancement to Administrative Assistant 1 through targeted training in essential workplace skills.
Civil Service Employee Association (CSEA)
CSEA’s Education and Training Department staff provides opportunities for members to gain and enhance their skills through in-person and online trainings.
Classified Service: Corrections & Police
Classified Service: Public Employee Federation (PEF)
Public Employees Federation (PEF)
Public Service Workshops Program
Statewide workshops delivered to address the professional development needs of PEF & M/C employees.
College Tuition Reimbursement (CTR) and Nurses' Enhanced College Tuition Reimbursement (NECTR)
The CTR Program enables employees to maintain or improve job-related skills in their profession and gain the knowledge and skills necessary for promotional opportunities and career mobility within New York State service.
Unclassified Service: Management Confidential (M/C)
Management/Confidential (M/C)
Public Service Workshops Program
Statewide workshops delivered to address the professional development needs of PEF & M/C employees.
M/C Tuition Reimbursement Program (M/C TRP)
The M/C Tuition Reimbursement Program (M/C TRP) provides financial reimbursement for approved course work taken by Management/Confidential (M/C) employees to improve their job-related skills and knowledge, and to acquire the education necessary to enhance their management skills or prepare for career-related promotional opportunities.
Unclassified Service: United University Professions (UUP)
United University Professions (UUP)
Empire KnowledgeBank (EKB) E-Learning
Employees in UUP represented positions have access to EKB Learning Licenses as a part of their negotiated benefits.
EKB offers a wide range of trainings, certificates and programs, as well as free videos and books.
If you would like to take a virtual tour and see all that EKB can do for you, please email [email protected] or simply request a free EKB license today.
Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU)
Annual Compliance Trainings
annual
UAlbany Compliance Series on Mandated Topics (Due annually March 31)
Upon hire, and annually thereafter, UAlbany’s professional and classified employees are required to complete several online training courses on compliance, safety and other state-mandated topics.
Details and deadlines are sent to employees via email each year. Annual trainings are launched in the fall semester each year.
To complete the trainings, please sign into Skillsoft Precipio.
New York State's Ethics Training (Due annually December 31)
All State employees at UAlbany must complete New York State's Ethics training:
- Within 90 days of their start date
- Annually thereafter
Employees alternate between two versions of the Ethics training:
- Live Comprehensive Ethics Training Course (hereafter referred to as “Live”): A 1 to 1.5 hour instructor led virtual session of the most current New York State Ethics laws and regulations. Register for the live offerings on this webpage or directly on the Commission's website.
- On-Demand Ethics Training Course (hereafter referred to as “On-Demand”): A 45-minute refresher of key New York State Ethics information. Complete this training through Skillsoft Precipio.
Examples
New Employees (dates below represent illustrative example if the employee started July 1, 2025)
| When is Ethics due? | Which training do I take? | How do I take it? |
|---|---|---|
| Within 90 days of start date (due September 30, 2025) | Live Ethics Training | Register on this webpage or on the Commission's website |
Established Employees
| Year | When is training due? | Which training do I take? | How do I take it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | December 31, 2026 | On-Demand Ethics Training | Skillsoft Precipio |
| 2027 | December 31, 2027 | Live Ethics Training | Register on this webpage |
| 2028 | December 31, 2028 | On-Demand Ethics Training | Skillsoft Precipio |
| 2029 | December 31, 2029 | Live Ethics Training | Register on this webpage |
| 2030 and on | December 31 | Continue alternating | Follow registration instructions |
Live Ethics Training Schedule
To take New York State's Ethics Training - Live register by selecting the date you would like to attend:
October 2026
- October 9: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- October 12: 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- October 20: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- October 28: 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
If you have any questions or require assistance, including an accommodation to participate in the live training and/or online trainings, please contact [email protected].
Learn more: State Ethics at UAlbany