LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – MPIC Inc., A Working Connection! is excited to announce new training opportunities for businesses and job seekers that address customer service skills in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Excellent customer service is a skill necessary for all employees and one that will make your business more consumer friendly.

There are many job seekers with extensive experience in serving people in a variety of venues such as food service and retail. Local businesses, however, continually report that they are having difficulty in finding applicants with great customer service skills. No matter what type of job we have, customer service is a cornerstone of successful businesses.

A Working Connection! is offering a venue of training that will address practical skills to increase the sales and customer retention for our local businesses.

These interactive classes will provide practical strategies and training for employees already employed, job seekers looking for new opportunities and also those workers new to the workforce.

Participants will learn how to greet customers, deal with difficult people, and gain skills that promote a friendly and helpful atmosphere.

Working in collaboration with Mendocino College, Lake County Winegrape Commission, county of Lake, city of Lakeport and the city of Clearlake, courses to be offered include: Market Lake County – Tourism and Hospitality; Increase your Customer Service; Fine Dining – Fine Wine and Food service; Dealing with Difficult Customers; Effective Strategies for Returning Customers and Increasing Sales; Food Handlers Class and Certification, and more.

Special workshops also will be included to teach skills to promote a positive view of Lake County; promoting the county is a large part of customer service.

This training will be tailored to meet the specific needs of Lake County, providing information not just about customer service but also how to inform visitors of the wonders of the county to increase returning and new visitors.

Job seekers who have been laid off and are looking for work may qualify for special funding for the classes as well as job development services.

Attendees will receive certificates that can be added to their resume as employers will appreciate the skills attained in these valuable classes.

Employers interested in participating in these training opportunities or hiring successful candidates are encouraged to contact Pam or Christy at 707-263-0630 or 707-994-9007.

The first class will be held at Mendocino College on Dec. 11 at 3 p.m.

To sign up, please inquire at WorkforceLake at 55 First St., Lakeport, telephone 707-263-0630, or WorkforceLake at 14092 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake.

Pam Harpster is program director and business services coordinator of MPIC Inc.