Thursday, March 31, 2011

A Look At Current Activities At The Training Center

If you have not visited the Training Center since we opened (almost two years ago) you might not recognize the place.


Let's start at the front door...
 
Front door to the Dale Building
If you are heading to Waterbury for a training at the Training Center, this is the door that you want to enter to get to your class.  This door puts you on the ground floor of the Dale building.


You know you're in the right place when you see this sign...




From here you need to go up two flights of stairs to get to the Training Center's classrooms or three to get to the Training Center's staff offices.


Door at the Base of the Fire Tower


 So here we are at the door to the second floor...



Second Floor Doorway

Let's step inside...


Hallway outside of Classroom One
This doorway leads to classroom one. It is our main classroom and currently it is being occupied by the 111th Vermont Correctional Academy.
Classroom One
We recently upgraded the tables and chairs and from this view you can see the front of the room.
On the other side of the hall next to the Honor Guard display, you will find classroom two and our small conference room
Honor Guard Display


Here we can see the front of classroom two, we also replaced the tables in this room too.
Classroom Two


Our small conference room is just about the right size if you're looking for a quiet space to have a meeting with three to five colleagues.  This space has also been used for interviews and as a break out room for training.


Small Conference room
There is also a small kitchen for staff to prepare a snack on break or their lunch.  There is a Refrigerator, coffee pot, and microwave available for your use.

Kitchenette


We also have computer access for staff that need to check their email while they are at training.
Computer Room
Let's go upstairs to the top floor.  This is where our administrative offices at the Training Center are located.  If you need someone at the Training Center, this is where to look.  There is also a staff sitting area where you can take a break from training, check out the news on TV, and for those staying overnight, a place to relax with friends.
 
Academy Sitting Area


We have been making an effort to make our space staff friendly and we have slowly been putting up our past academy photos.  We have posted all of the photo's we have and have spaces for the ones that we don't.  I believe we are only missing about eight pictures.  If you have a photo of your academy graduation picture and it is one we are missing, I would appreciate an opportunity to scan you photo so we can finish this project.

Main Hall on Third Floor

There is also some shared work space and tables that we use for training break outs, quick meetings and as place to assemble training material. 
Training Center Work Space



There are also two mock cells on the third floor that we use for cell extraction training, contraband and search, and for scenario training.

Mock Cell


The Cafe' space is used by the academy for evening meals, and by the parole board for out of state parole hearing.  This is also a back up training space and break out room.


Cafe'

If you need a change of scenery or a breath of fresh air, you can step out on to the porch during a break or in the summer when the weather is nice, you can even use this space for a meeting.

Third Floor Porch
Here is the view from the third floor porch looking at the south entrance to the state office complex.  The south entrance is the easies way to get to the training center.

View of the South Entrance

A short list of some of the events that will be running at the Training Center in April...
  • Sexual Harassment Support Coordinator Training on 04/12/2011 from 0900-1600
  • LSI-R Certification Workshop on 04/12/2011 from 0900-1600
  • Level of Service Inventory - Revised on 04/13&04/14/2011 from 0900-1600
  • Sentence Computation/Legal Process 04/20&04/21/2011 from 0900-1600
  • Advance Communication Techniques Training for Trainers 04/25-04/29/2011 from 0830-1630
  • Vermont Correctional Academy will be in weeks four and five. Graduation will be on 04/15/2011 at 1100 in the Pavilion, Montpelier
For more information on these events go to the AHS Training Calendar 
As always we like to here from you about your academy or training experience at the Vermont Department of Corrections' Training Center.

About Me

My photo
Waterbury, Vermont, United States
I have served as a Vermont Correctional Academy coordinator for training development since 2001. I am responsible for training-the-trainer core competency training, Facility Training Officer programs and also serve as liaison to our security and supervision unit for training dealing with hostage negotiation, emergency preparedness, and the Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT). I graduate from the Vermont Correctional Academy in 1993, and previously served as a Correctional Officer I, Correctional Officer II, and the local training coordinator at the former Woodstock Regional Correctional Facility. I also part of the Emergency Preparedness team. I am involved in a range of educational development and training functions for the Department of Corrections and provides Academy instruction on emergency preparedness, self-harm, suicide prevention and use of force.