Employable and entrepreneurship skills are key components for economic independence and stability. The SOFEI Group provides workshops and certification exams to women who want to build lucrative careers or businesses to meet the growing demands of an evolving workforce. Our services include:

Training Delivery Methods

Training is provided on-line, in a workshop (one-day) format or in a modular format (over several weeks) and is delivered in five methods: Self-Directed Learning, Lecture and Participation, Intensive Hands-on, Self-Paced, and Action Learning.

The SOFEI Group is an authorized testing center for:

Microsoft Office Specialist CertificationIC³Critical Thinking

Microsoft Office Specialist Certification - Passing one or more certification exams in Microsoft Office can validate a test candidate's proficiency in using Microsoft Office products (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access Outlook, Project 2010 or SharePoint 2010); demonstrate their ability to meet globally recognized performance standards and the demand for the most up-to-date skills on the latest Microsoft Office technologies. Why Certify?

Internet and Core Computing (IC³) Certification - Gives students and job-seekers a competitive advantage with entry-level skills needed to excel in academic and business environments that require proficient use of computers and the Internet. IC³ consists of three separate exams: Computing Fundamentals, Key Applications, and Living Online.

iCritical Thinking Certification - Is the only certification program based on a globally defined ICT/digital literacy framework that allows test candidates to demonstrate their ability to think critically within technology-enabled academic and workplace environments. Powered by ETS - a leader in educational assessments, the exam features real-time, simulated, scenario-based items to evaluate information available through digital technology.

Certification Exam Fee

Certification exams are administered by a Test Proctor and are provided online (at a business location) or our training facility. Exam fee is $125 and includes one re-take and is offered by appointment only. MOS 2007 Exam | MOS 2010 Exam

Personal Development Descriptions

Creating and Maintaining Life Balance - Workshop will share methods of improving physical and mental well-being, and methods of handling stress in an effective and productive manner.

Contented Living - Attendees will discover and master the ten principles of growth-contented living to experience joy, happiness and personal growth.

Developing Yourself as a Leader - Attendees of this one-day course will learn how to assess their leadership skills and techniques to establish a plan to grow their leadership capabilities.

Effective Communication - Most successful people have strong communication skills. This workshop is designed to help participants conquer communication barriers when attempting to process or express feelings and ideas in verbal or nonverbal messages.

Effective Time Management - Workshop attendees will learn effective time management strategies to direct their energy towards the activities that will further their personal and professional goals.

Out of Hock - Out of Debt - This is a crash workshop to teach participants how to eliminate debt through practical debt reducing concepts.

Stress Management - Stress is the internal or external force that causes a person to become tense, upset or anxious. Workshop participants will learn how to break the stress cycle, learn stress-relief techniques, and develop stamina to prevent stress.

Business & Professional Development Descriptions

Advanced Business Writing - The success to creating business documents (e.g., business plans, proposals, project plans, contracts, strategic plans, and policies and procedures) is a thorough understanding of different document types needed to match specific business situations. Participants of this full-day course will learn how to build their skills to write business documents to communicate effectively to their target audience to meet their business goals. Prerequisite: Business Writing

Advanced Communication Skills - In any profession, individuals will be faced with relaying information to others and good communication skills are an essential part to providing messages clearly. In this course, individuals will learn how to apply advanced verbal and written communication techniques in the workplace.

Business Development & Growth Strategies Training - Participants will learn how to develop and grow a business venture based on their expertise, passion and their current and prospective client's needs.

Business Etiquette - Failing to exercise business etiquette can jeopardize employment and business opportunities. This workshop will teach etiquette techniques to enhance personal and professional success.

Business Writing - Participants of this workshop will learn the phases of writing to increase their writing speed and improve their quality in content, style, and grammar.

Coaching Essentials - Coaching can be an effective leadership tool to help others strengthen their performance to improve business productivity and profitability. This workshop is for individuals responsible for helping others meet and or exceed organizational expectations.

Leading From the Front: Being a Leader in All You Do - This workshop is for individuals who want to develop leadership skills and influence outcomes more effectively in their organization, home, or community.

Managing Organizational Goals - Attendees of this one-day course will learn how to assess their leadership skills and techniques to establish a plan to grow their leadership capabilities.

Project Management Skills for Non-Project Managers - This workshop covers the methods for staff members to effectively manage small- to mid-sized projects. Attendees will learn how to: 1) strategically plan a project to achieve the desired results on time and within budget, 2) identify the requirements and resources to work with; 3) monitor the project's progress, and 4) mitigate obstacles that may arise to ensure successful project completion.

Women in Leadership - Workshop attendees will learn skills and strategies to overcome leadership challenges that prevent career advancement. This workshop is ideal for women seeking to enhance their career as a leader within their organization.

Workforce Development Descriptions

Career Development - This workshop will teach participants how to integrate personal and professional goals with their values and life purpose. Workshop participants will learn a career development process to create a focused, tangible plan to achieve balance in all the important aspects of their life and career.

Grammar Essentials - This workshop will teach participants how to review the rules of grammar, identify common grammar errors, and refine their business writing style.

How to be a Success at Work - Many people fail on the job as a result of little problem-solving skills, new job blues, or difficulty in meeting employer expectations. This workshop will help trainees identify and avoid these problems to improve their effectiveness and success at work.

Interviewing Techniques - Six out of ten people fail to obtain their desired career because of little or no marketing skills. Workshop participants will learn what employers want, how to respond to interviewer's questions, questions they should ask, interview preparation, and follow-up strategies.

Resume Preparation - This workshop provides step-by-step methods and techniques to develop a professional resume to land an interview.

Stop Thinking Like an Employee - Approximately half of newly hired employees fail within 18 months after starting a new job. This workshop teaches how to turn an entry-level job into fascinating work with unlimited possibilities.

Surviving a Layoff - This workshop is for individuals that need to learn how to cope with the anger and hurt of being laid off; how to manage their money, and strategies to quickly get off unemployment.