Whitworth LEARN Teams Up with Wagstaff and Innovia Foundation for Two New Workforce Development Programs in 2025

It’s all about business-to-business (B2B) partnerships these days, as the demand for companies to upskill their workforce grows. Companies are increasingly turning to colleges and universities to collaborate on educational pathways that will assist them in developing and retaining employees.

Whitworth LEARN understands the value of these partnerships and now offers two new programs in collaboration with Wagstaff, Inc. and Innovia Foundation beginning in January 2025. These courses are open to participants beyond these organizations. 

“Recent data from Gallup confirms the manager’s role in any company’s success,” says Wade Larson, D.M., workforce consultant and director of workforce development for Wagstaff.  “Turnover can cost as much as 200 percent of an employee’s salary. With just over half of employees actively or passively looking for a new job, 42 percent reported that the manager or organization could have helped prevent their departure. Better managers help employees achieve better outcomes.” 

Manufacturing Management Institute

Whitworth LEARN is excited to partner with Wagstaff for our Manufacturing Management Institute, taught by Larson, who is also a Whitworth adjunct faculty member.

Management principles are similar in most environments, but manufacturing and industry are different in many ways. This program presents management concepts in an industry context and is designed to provide specialized training for experienced, new or developing managers.

Wagstaff, Inc. is a family-owned engineering/manufacturing leader in the global aluminum industry. It is headquartered in Spokane Valley with locations in Kentucky and around the world. The company employs about 500 employees in Spokane and globally. 

This 11-week course equips participants with the skills and knowledge to effectively lead teams, manage operations and optimize processes in a manufacturing environment. Whitworth LEARN has paired asynchronous courses with three half-day immersion experiences to give employees the in-demand skills that add immediate value to their companies.

The program will be offered Jan. 27-April 13, 2025. To register, click here.  

Nonprofit Management Certificate

Nonprofit organizations make up about 10 percent of the nation’s private-sector employment. Here in Eastern Washington and North Idaho, Innovia Foundation continues to lead the way, working to identify and respond to the region’s greatest needs. The 501(c)(3) has provided more than $124 million in grants and scholarships since 1974 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. 

Whitworth LEARN’s Nonprofit Management Certificate program was developed and is offered in partnership with Innovia Foundation. It is designed to enhance the skills of current and aspiring leaders, fostering effective organizations focused on social impact. By leveraging the expertise of both the community foundation and experienced consultants, the program empowers leaders from diverse backgrounds to navigate challenges, drive innovation and promote sustainable change within the nonprofit sector. 

Participants will learn to lead with purpose and integrity, aligning actions with core values; foster collaboration that advances their cause; manage key systems like HR, finance and fundraising; design and evaluate programs; manage staff and volunteers; and perform risk assessment and scenario planning exercises. 

“Strong and sustainable nonprofit organizations are essential to community vitality,” says Innovia Foundation Chief Executive Officer Shelly O’Quinn. “Innovia’s partnership with Whitworth LEARN offers nonprofit leaders across the region an opportunity to enhance their skills for greater community impact.”   

The program is offered Jan. 27-June 16, 2025. To register, click here. 

About Whitworth University:

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The Whitworth School of Continuing Studies provides mind-and-heart education for working adults in the Inland Northwest.

Contacts: 

Trisha Coder, associate director of media relations, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu.