"As a former teacher and instructor, I am, admittedly, more critical than some when it comes to critiquing and evaluating instructional practices of facilitators. Our agency requires annual training relevant to improving our skill sets so that we may better serve our clients who struggle with multiple barriers to employment. These training can be hit or miss (just as they were when I was I was an educator); but I can attest to the fact that Jodie Sue Kelly is, by far, the best trainer/facilitator I have EVER had the pleasure of working with. What sets Jodie apart from others is not only her experience (she can make the discussion points relevant to training based on her own stories and anecdotes having worked with similar populations as addressed in the training), but also her humor, charisma, and the outstanding activities she has developed. Her passion for training others and her incredible knowledge base is evident; I left every webinar and training session feeling more confident having more "tricks" available to help support our clients. Her activities are easy to follow, easy to integrate because they are completely relevant to the work we do, and are engaging for our clients. We have already integrated much of what we learned through Jodie's training and I would feel privileged to have the opportunity to participate in more of her training in the future. She is definitely THE best!" ~Danielle Briggs
I just returned from a conference with Jodie Sue as a KeyNote speaker. When I first heard she was coming, she was lauded as being an expert in Workforce policy, etc. I was expecting a boring, high-level speaker. Boy, was I wrong! Jodie Sue is engaging, funny, as well as knowledgeable. Yes, she is very familiar with Workforce policy and is a big player in the field all around the country, but she has hands on, practical experience to share. Her activities and tools are creative and practical. I left the sessions (I attended all three, they were so good), with many tools and games to use with my clients. I can't recommend Jodie Sue highly enough." Donitta K Booth
Ms. Kelly provided training to contractors and government staff in an effort to improve their job placement and retention efforts. She provided group training sessions as well as on-site assessment of contractors’ services. She also provided written training materials/manuals that staff use on a daily basis.
Ms. Kelly’s services were well-received and effective. In particular, we found that she was able to take complex concepts and make them accessible to line staff. We believe she played an integral role in helping poor Pennsylvanians obtain and retain employment. Ruth Ann VanDyke
I have utilized Jodie’s expertise, as well as her engaging training style to deliver technical assistance many times over the years to both administrative staff and contractor staff engaged in the following services: WIA performance measures for adults and youth; best practices in engaging at-risk youth, job placement, retention, and worker advancement practices, and case managing for performance. We truly enjoy working with Cygnet and Jodie because not only is she extremely knowledgeable about WIA and workforce development practices, but she is also flexible in scheduling training and technical assistance that meets our needs. Pamela Nabors
I have known, hired, and worked with Jodie for roughly 30 years -primarily in workforce recruitment, development, and retention. I have observed her as a trainer, consultant, project and process designer, and writer. I have worked with her on projects that are public sector, private sector, and the independent sector. Her performance is without exception in every arena and with every audience demographic. Her approach, insights, and perspective are drawn from every day life experiences -not an incubator of theoretical speculation, which makes her solutions and recommendations sound, practical, and -importantly -effective. Jodie works with a laid back intensity -interacting with remarkable relationship-building skills laced with humor; seemingly casual, but soaking in information and processing facts and experiences with the intensity and skill of both a social journalist and a scientific researcher. The results are always fresh, innovative, and sticky. Jodie inspires change without fear, without pain, and without organizational tumult. In fact, too-often drivers of change are driven out of town. Jodie is the only change leader that no one wants to see leave. She holds herself to the highest standards of excellence in her work execution, work product, and her timeliness. Sandi Scannelli
I just returned from a conference with Jodie Sue as a KeyNote speaker. When I first heard she was coming, she was lauded as being an expert in Workforce policy, etc. I was expecting a boring, high-level speaker. Boy, was I wrong! Jodie Sue is engaging, funny, as well as knowledgeable. Yes, she is very familiar with Workforce policy and is a big player in the field all around the country, but she has hands on, practical experience to share. Her activities and tools are creative and practical. I left the sessions (I attended all three, they were so good), with many tools and games to use with my clients. I can't recommend Jodie Sue highly enough." Donitta K Booth
Ms. Kelly provided training to contractors and government staff in an effort to improve their job placement and retention efforts. She provided group training sessions as well as on-site assessment of contractors’ services. She also provided written training materials/manuals that staff use on a daily basis.
Ms. Kelly’s services were well-received and effective. In particular, we found that she was able to take complex concepts and make them accessible to line staff. We believe she played an integral role in helping poor Pennsylvanians obtain and retain employment. Ruth Ann VanDyke
I have utilized Jodie’s expertise, as well as her engaging training style to deliver technical assistance many times over the years to both administrative staff and contractor staff engaged in the following services: WIA performance measures for adults and youth; best practices in engaging at-risk youth, job placement, retention, and worker advancement practices, and case managing for performance. We truly enjoy working with Cygnet and Jodie because not only is she extremely knowledgeable about WIA and workforce development practices, but she is also flexible in scheduling training and technical assistance that meets our needs. Pamela Nabors
I have known, hired, and worked with Jodie for roughly 30 years -primarily in workforce recruitment, development, and retention. I have observed her as a trainer, consultant, project and process designer, and writer. I have worked with her on projects that are public sector, private sector, and the independent sector. Her performance is without exception in every arena and with every audience demographic. Her approach, insights, and perspective are drawn from every day life experiences -not an incubator of theoretical speculation, which makes her solutions and recommendations sound, practical, and -importantly -effective. Jodie works with a laid back intensity -interacting with remarkable relationship-building skills laced with humor; seemingly casual, but soaking in information and processing facts and experiences with the intensity and skill of both a social journalist and a scientific researcher. The results are always fresh, innovative, and sticky. Jodie inspires change without fear, without pain, and without organizational tumult. In fact, too-often drivers of change are driven out of town. Jodie is the only change leader that no one wants to see leave. She holds herself to the highest standards of excellence in her work execution, work product, and her timeliness. Sandi Scannelli