All potential students will go through DePaul's Training Center evaluation process. n this time, the student/client completes a series of tests assessing their clerical knowledge, computer skills, reading comprehension and workplace behaviors. This will help the instructors determine the level at which the student’s training should begin. If a student scores at or above 90% on an assessment test, it is assumed that the student already has adequate knowledge of the subject area and is exempt from that course. Additionally, students must meet basic requirements to enter into the training program.

Clerical Evaluations

We offer four-day and 30-day evaluations. During all evaluations students first take a series of tests to establish baseline skills. For each one, we write a full report detailing outcomes and recommendations. For extended evaluations, we spend extensive time with the student to determine if the student will be employable in a clerical or light industrial setting as a result of the training.

Four-Day Evaluation

The Four-Day Evaluation is our standard evaluation. This evaluation measures a student/client’s ability to use the most popular business software and basic office skills. This evaluation is used to assure that a student/client begins training at the most effective level. In addition, this evaluation includes basic information about attendance, punctuality, appearance and workplace behaviors.

This evaluation includes:

• Computer and Software:
  MS Office - Windows - Data Entry - Keyboarding (typing) - Keystroking (10-key)

• Basic Office Skills:
  Spelling - English - Vocabulary - Reading - Proofreading - Business Communications - Customer Service - Basic Math - Filing - Record Keeping

30-day Extended Evaluations

Frequently, there is a need to track a student/client’s ability to demonstrate success in a variety of areas within a daily workplace situation. These areas may include:

• The way a client responds to his/her workload, coworkers and supervisor.
• The ability to maintain an adequate attendance rate.
• The ability to work with materials at an appropriately independent level.
• The ability to produce work at a competitive level.
• The ability to tolerate frustrations.

We offer a 30-day extended evaluation period in order to monitor some of these workplace behaviors. Each student/client will work on the 1st month’s curriculum for the most appropriate full-time training plan that we currently offer. Classroom textbooks are provided for the student/client for the 30-day period. If the student/client is successful through this process, continuation with the full training plan will be recommended. The first month curriculum components are outlined below:

• Office Assistant:           
  Keyboarding, Basic Word, Basic Outlook, Record Keeping, Job Readiness

• Office Specialist:          
  Keyboarding, Basic Word, Basic Outlook, Filing, Job Readiness

• Data Entry:      
  Keyboarding, Basic Word, Basic Outlook, Data Entry, Job Readiness