Workplace Problem Solving

Become one of those folks who always seems to have an idea for a plan to solve the problem and get things back on track!

Main Content

Two men writing on whiteboard and discussing how to solve a problem

Course Status Notice – Not Scheduled

We do not have an offering of this course scheduled at this time. Please join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled!

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Course Details

Course Name: Workplace Problem Solving
Course Code: EO0133CB25
Date of Most Recent Offering: May 20, 2025 (Cancelled)

Date: May 20, 2025 UPDATE FOR NEXT OFFERING
Time: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (Check in time 8:00 am) UPDATE FOR NEXT OFFERING

Location: Ralph Geiger Turfgrass Education Center, 20 Indyk-Engel Way, New Brunswick , NJ 08901 (directions & map to building). IMPORTANT: Parking is only available in the gravel lot behind the Office of Continuing Professional Education’s building (close to Ryders Lane). Here is the map top the parking lot: https://goo.gl/maps/KXA9A8RVFmKZUEz79 UPDATE FOR NEXT OFFERING
Format: Classroom Course UPDATE FOR NEXT OFFERING

Registration Fee: $275 per person UPDATE FOR NEXT OFFERING
Multi Person Discount Fee: $255 per person (2 or more registrants)
NJLWO Discount Fee: $137.50 per person (T, W, VSWS License ONLY)

Registration Closes: May 13, 2025 UPDATE FOR NEXT OFFERING

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

It is no secret – the world of the workplace is one of constant change, increasing demands, and decreasing amounts of time to deal with it all. Identifying issues before they grow into problems is a key skill that everyone needs to have in their wheelhouse. Join long time OCPE instructor Terry Tomsky to learn what you need to sharpen your problem solving skills. Everyone can benefit from having a strong base in problem solving – at work, at home, and at play!

  • What is Problem Solving?
  • Observations and Trends – what is it you need to see?
  • Defining a Problem with Clarity – what is the problem?
  • Identifying Possible Causes – including root cause analysis
  • Determining the Best Choices – how should we proceed and why?
  • Test and Retry – the first solution is not always the correct solution

Who Should Attend?

This class is a great source of information for anyone who wants to improve their problem solving skills to address challenges that arise in the workplace. Past participants have included:

  • Boiler Engineers
  • Certified Public Works Managers
  • Code Enforcement Officers
  • Construction Inspectors
  • Foremen
  • Health Officers
  • Lines & Meters Technicians
  • Operations Managers
  • Plant Supervisors
  • Senior O & M Technicians
  • Sewer Utility Directors
  • Shift Leaders
  • Site Managers
  • Wastewater Superintendents
  • Water Treatment Supervisors
  • Water Utility Coordinators

Meet Your Instructor

Terry Tomsky

Headshot of instructor Terry Tomsky

Terry has served as one of OCPE’s most valued and popular instructors for more than thirty years. While employed as a Senior Leadership and Mechanical Trainer for PSE&G’s Production Training Center, he crafted a parallel training career with the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES)/Rutgers University Office of Continuing Professional Education (OCPE). Teaching programs in topics ranging from workplace safety to motor controls, O & M of pumps, blueprint reading – and an extremely popular Management Skills for Supervisors workshop – Terry’s courses provide useful, timely real-world information that resonates and stays with attendees.

Student Reviews

“[I learned] Different tools and methods to identify and analyze an issue and form a solution.”

– Past Participant

Most useful part of the course: “Explaining how to formalize an intuitive process in order to create substantive change.”

– Past Participant

On instructor Terry Tomsky: “Always great and informative.”

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of Workplace Problem Solving was approved for 0.6 Rutgers CEUs (6 contact hours), as well as the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The Workplace Problem Solving course is approved for 0.6 Rutgers CEUs (6 contact hours), as well as the following credits from professional organizations.

State of New Jersey map iconNew Jersey

NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 6 Management Contact Hours

NJ Drinking Water and Wastewater Operators: 6 TCHs (Approval #01-071802-30)

NJ Health Officers and Registered Environmental Health Specialists (HO/REHS): Rutgers University, NJAES, Office of Continuing Professional Education has been approved by the New Jersey Department of Health as a provider of NJ Public Health Continuing Education Contact Hours (CEs). Participants who complete this education program will be awarded 5.50 NJ Public Health Continuing Education Contact Hours (CEs).

Course Requirements and Policies

electronic devices iconTechnology Requirements

This online course will be delivered via Rutgers Canvas learning management system and Zoom.

Equipment you will need to access this training:

  • Laptop or desktop computers are required for this class.
  • Speakers and microphone are not necessary as a call-in option is available.

Once you register with OCPE, you will receive an email from “Rutgers University Canvas” saying, “Click here to finish the registration process,” to create your new account in the Canvas Virtual Platform. If you do not see this message in your inbox, please check your junk/spam folder. The course shell will not open until a week before the start date of class. You will receive an email from Claudine Oleskin with directions and more details for the class.

email iconEmail Requirement

A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

  • If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
  • If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
    • Your full name
    • The shared email address that needs to be changed
    • Your unique email address
    • A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

Meals

No breakfast will be provided. Lunch will be available for pre-registered attendees only.

NOTE: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please alert us at least two (2) weeks in advance of the course start date so that we can make reasonable accommodations. We cannot guarantee accommodations for special requests made after that time.

Red car iconCampus Parking Policy

All visitors must register their vehicles ONLINE to park on campus. Please follow the guidelines below. Failure to comply with these policies may result in a citation.

  • A link will be provided in your course registration confirmation email. Please be sure to complete this important step prior to traveling to campus.
  • When you park on campus, be sure that your license plate is unobstructed and visible from the driving aisle.
  • All Rutgers faculty/staff/students must use their regular Rutgers permit and park in the nearest lot assigned for their permit type.
  • Parking is adjacent to building.

x icon with circle around itCancellations and Substitutions

A $75 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Workplace Problem Solving, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Headshot of Judith Joshua, administrative assistant

Administrative Assistant: Judith Joshua
848-932-7483 
judith.joshua@rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

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