Owners of local businesses without their own training departments and individuals looking to expand their business skills now have the opportunity to take professional development classes in Cape Coral.

The Business Industry Services, or BIS, employee training classes offer new employees and individuals who work for specific businesses the chance to enhance their skills.

According to Nancy Smith, BIS coordinator, the program began in February after an agreement was reached between the Florida Gulf Coast University Small Business Development Center, the city of Cape Coral, the Lee County School District and BIS.

“Sometimes small businesses send employees, the city of Cape Coral sends employees and private citizens come because it is open enrollment,” said Smith. “We are so proud of it, everyone is short on funds now, but all of us have joined together our public resources to keep costs down and conserve.”

Smith explained that since the courses have begun, BIS has been receiving excellent ratings from people who complete them.

“This is a work force development program so we evaluate our instructors from one to 10. Almost all have been nines and 10s,” said Smith.

Christy Vogt, business development coordinator for the city of Cape Coral, said the program has been a great, stable venue for classes.

“It’s great that people can take courses that will enhance businesses and worker skills. Before now they had to go to Fort Myers or to High Tech North,” said Vogt.

The classes are offered across the street from Cape Coral City Hall at 1020 Cultural Park Blvd., Unit 3, or at the Lee County Public Education Center on Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

One-day courses are typically $35 and two-day courses are typically $50. And, according to Smith, the price includes instruction and classroom materials.

Of course, there are courses offered on an ongoing basis. Some of the upcoming courses are Psychology of Winning with People on Monday, Salesmanship for Champions on March 27 and Professional Business Writing on April 3.

There are also computer training courses that specialize in showing people how to understand their computer, use Windows XP, check their e-mail and use Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Publisher.

For those business professionals who do not have the time to sit in a classroom, BIS offers more than 300 courses online.

BIS has also written a series of grants to attract new businesses into the county. It offers the Quick Response Training program which helps businesses to secure grants to customize training for local businesses, as well as the Employed Worker Training program to offset the costs of upgrading employee skills.

Also, BIS offers a three-part course in conjunction with the International Association of Administrative Professionals to help people to prepare for the Certified Professional Secretary Exam.

For more information, visit: www.leecountybis.com.