Human Resource Development

Very few people have formal training in human resources before assuming an HR position. Often, these professionals earn their slots through their people skills and company experience. In this era of rapidly changing regulation, it is vital that HR professionals stay current with legalities and best practices that apply to their businesses. Our mission is to be the leading human resource partner for employers in Western North Carolina and beyond. For more information call WCI at 828.667.3311.

Human Resource Member Benefits

• HR Training: all publicly offered HR training classes are member benefits (no charge)
• HR Video Library: all training videos are available to watch online at no charge
• HR Hotline:  unlimited telephone or email counsel from our HR advisors
• Attorney Services:  3 free legal consults from leading attorneys in business and employment law, by referral
• HR Answers Now:  online access to our loaded toolbox of HR compliance documents, sample policies & forms, and daily articles on best practices
• HR Publications:  NC / SC Employment Law Guide (Desk Manual) and a full range of employer compliance and workplace posters are provided to members
• HR Audits:  complimentary reviews of I-9 and other basic HR functions
• HR Recertification Credits: WCI is a preferred provider for HRCI and SHRM, with multiple ways to earn recertification credits
• See all the benefits of WCI Membership
• Additional (optional) HR services are listed below

Quarterly HR Seminars

We offer four (4) regional, in-person seminars each year, prepared with HR professionals in mind. They will bring you current relevant topics in human resource management, at no charge to members. New topics have been developed for 2025 that will be offered during February, March, September, and November. Registration will be available here while open.

Annual Conferences

WCI conducts two major conferences each year.

• Our HR Forum is a labor law conference that will expand your knowledge of employer compliance issues and help protect your organization from potential penalties, litigation, and risk. Topics are presented by employment attorneys. Our 2025 HR Forum was on April 10.
• Our Solutions for the Workplace conference shines the spotlight on employer challenges - and presents strategic solutions from employment attorneys and insightful speakers. Our 2025 conference will be held October 2. INFORMATION & REGISTRATION

WCI Summer Series

A bite-sized series of hot topics for HR professionals during June, July, and August, featuring employment attorneys and other subject matter experts. Participate live in these virtual webinars next summer as a no-charge member benefit. New topics will be posted here in 2026 when available for registration.

Management Recruiting

WCI can also conduct full recruiting services, at significantly less cost than traditional search firms. Here's how WCI Search can help you:

• Find and pre-qualify serious management candidates with proven ability.
• Services provided by WCI's professional recruiter with substantial HR experience.
• Past placements include Engineers, Supervisors, and Plant, Safety, HR, and IT Managers.
• This service is available to employers only and discounted for WCI members.
• Our results are guaranteed (we will replace free within 6 months if terminated)

For more information, contact Wendy Ratcliff at [email protected] or 828.329.7602

Other HR Training

Many in-person and virtual training programs are listed and described on our Employee Training web page. Each member company is eligible for one, annual, one-hour, onsite training for their managers. Harassment Prevention is our most popular training program for managers, but other programs on that web page may be considered.

In addition, many common topics in HR management and administration have been recorded in video format for members to watch at their convenience (login required) at no charge. The videos are concise (microlearning) and cover employment law, HR processes, and other topics. For the full list, go to our HR Video Library web page.

Human Resource Services

• Harassment Prevention for Employees:  a training program in understanding what behaviors constitute harassment and how to use the employer's complaint procedure. This onsite training can be customized for your organization. A free video is also available for member use at any time.
• Harassment Prevention for Supervisors & Managers:  an onsite training program to prepare employers for the likelihood of internal complaints, how to recognize inappropriate conduct in the workplace, and how to respond properly to prevent retaliation claims. This program is a no-charge member benefit (subsitute programs are also available).
• Individual Communications Coaching: this program helps your key employees improve their communication skills, through four (4) biweekly coaching and mentoring sessions that include a behavioral assessment, communications self-analysis, customized communications training, and assertiveness skill development.
• Union Avoidance Training:  this onsite training for supervisors and managers will raise awareness of why employees seek representation, organization tactics, new NLRB rules for organization, and their role in prevention. This program is a no-charge member benefit.
• Employee Engagement:  this onsite seminar explores a low-cost initiative to move your workforce from apathetic to engaged, based on research by Dr. Paul Marciano's 7 drivers of employee engagement.
• HR Projects:  our HR experts are available to assist you with projects on a fee-for-service basis, including larger scale HR audits, handbook development, job analyses, affirmative action plans, mentoring, and more.

Contacts for HR Services