TechFluent Academy

2026 Cohort: Self-Study via LinkedIn Learning - Time Management
2025-12-05 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Increasing Productivity Through Time Management (1.25 hours):
Todd Dewett has spent much of his career helping professionals grasp what it means to be an authentic, effective leader at work. In this audio course, we gave LinkedIn members the chance to record a question for Todd, one of our most popular instructors. His answers capture practical insights about what great leadership looks like in practice. He covers how to effectively hold people accountable for their actions; create a healthy company culture; deal with difficult people; manage employees who exhibit great potential; and more. Todd answers each question with the same down-to-earth, practical style you’ve come to expect.
Manage Multiple Projects Simultaneously (45 min):
Dive into the world of project management with Kerry Hoffman, an expert in operations and project management. Kerry demystifies how to apply project management techniques to both professional and personal projects. Discover best practices for initiating, planning, executing, and monitoring your projects. Learn to close and evaluate your efforts, identifying paths for continuous improvement. After this course, you’ll be able to use a project management approach for success in any aspect of life.

2026 Cohort: Time Management, with Justin Carter
2025-12-05 09:00 - 12:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
with Justin Carter
Vice President of Technology at Caf2Code
In this course, we will explore the critical elements of managing your time as a Professional in the Technology Industry as we enter the era of Artificial Intelligence. Today there are many tools one can use to support the efforts of time management creating efficiency and enhancing productivity. It is imperative that as a professional in this space, you do not lose sight of the tasks you should be performing in order to maintain your best position in the company and on the projects you staff. By the end of this course, you will be able to apply best practices for balancing multiple clients and project deadlines. You will understand how best to escalate unexpected issues and how to apply effective prioritization techniques to optimize task efficiency. You will understand when and how to utilize digital tools and automation to streamline workflows. You will learn to develop strategies for managing interruptions and context switching to improve focus and maintain work-life balance. You will learn to identify and minimize common time-wasters; and you will create a personal time management plan.
Followed by 2.5 hours of Self-Study course-work on LinkedIn Learning:
Increasing Productivity Through Time Management (1.25 hours):
Todd Dewett has spent much of his career helping professionals grasp what it means to be an authentic, effective leader at work. In this audio course, we gave LinkedIn members the chance to record a question for Todd, one of our most popular instructors. His answers capture practical insights about what great leadership looks like in practice. He covers how to effectively hold people accountable for their actions; create a healthy company culture; deal with difficult people; manage employees who exhibit great potential; and more. Todd answers each question with the same down-to-earth, practical style you’ve come to expect.
Manage Multiple Projects Simultaneously (45 min):
Dive into the world of project management with Kerry Hoffman, an expert in operations and project management. Kerry demystifies how to apply project management techniques to both professional and personal projects. Discover best practices for initiating, planning, executing, and monitoring your projects. Learn to close and evaluate your efforts, identifying paths for continuous improvement. After this course, you’ll be able to use a project management approach for success in any aspect of life.

2026 Cohort: Intro to a Career in Technology, with Justin Carter
2025-12-04 09:00 - 16:00
with Justin Carter
Vice President of Technology at Caf2Code
In this session, you will learn what it is like to have a career in the technology space, and more specifically, what it is like to have a career as a consultant in the Microsoft Ecosystem. At the completion of this course, you will understand what consulting is and what it is not. We will have helped you understand what skills you will need to be successful as a consultant. We will have answered any questions you have specifically about consulting and technology careers in general. And we will have provided you with resources and takeaways to kickstart your career.
This course designed by Warren Thomas, retired.

2026 Cohort: Day in a Life Panel, Moderated by Carol Smock
2025-12-03 09:00 - 12:00
Day in the Life Panel
Moderated by Carol Smock
Executive Director, TechFluent Academy
In this session, you will meet several professionals with varying types of careers in the Microsoft Industry. They will share how they achieved their careers, what they “do in a typical day” and field questions from you, the Learners, until you are comfortable that you understand the journey you are embarking upon. We are still engaging industry professionals, so revisit this page frequently for updates.
In this class you will get to know…
Frederick Anaafi, Microsoft MVP, MCT and Community Leader for Power BI at SureSkills
Douglas Walker, Sr. Consultant at Root16 Reply
Deb Burgesser, Lead Consultant at enCloud9
Cristal Carter, Associate Developer at Vital Farms
Dan Drislane, Business & Process Analyst at Frontier Strategies

2026 Cohort: Learner Mindset, with Pam Acosta
2025-12-02 09:00 - 12:00
Learner Mindset
with Pam Acosta
ERP Consultant
In this course, you will be exposed to what it takes to move forward with a true Learner Mindset. Upon completing the course you will be able to define and exhibit Growth Mindset attributes at work and at home, like open mindedness and agility of thought. You will be able to identify the four key components of effective feedback. And, you will be able to construct a data and impact focused statement of feed back in a way that positively promotes growth and improvement with your peers, subordinates and superiors.
This content developed by Lindsay Millett-Glass and Elizabeth Fleming,PsyD of Apidae Consulting

Mock Interviews & Career Coaching with WorQFlow Solutions
2025-12-02 00:00
Mock Interviews & Career Coaching Workshop Led by premier Microsoft Recruiting Firm WorQFlow Solutions, this class prepares learners to navigate the job search process with confidence by developing interview skills, refining personal branding, and aligning career goals with market opportunities. Through guided coaching, mock interviews, and reflective exercises, learners will gain practical tools to present themselves effectively and strategically in professional settings. By the end of this class, learners will be able to:

Articulate a compelling personal narrative that aligns with their career goals and values.
Demonstrate effective interview techniques, including behavioral and situational responses using the STAR method.
Analyze job descriptions to identify key qualifications and tailor responses accordingly.
Receive and apply feedback from mock interviews to improve performance.
Identify and address common interview challenges, such as gaps in employment, career changes, or limited experience.
Create a personalized interview preparation plan, including research, practice, and follow-up strategies.

2026 Cohort: Kick Off and Trainer Meet & Greet
2025-12-01 13:00 - 16:00
Kick Off / Trainer Meet & Greet
Objectives:
The Importance of Networking
Meet the Trainers
Network with Colleagues

2026 Cohort: Welcome - Live-Virtual Certification Program
2025-12-01 09:00 - 12:00
Powering Minnesota’s Diverse Tech Workforce
TechFluent scales industry-leading technology training, mentorship and employment programs to offer virtual and self-study services to 25 individuals in Minnesota and 10 from across the US. Focused on under-represented groups across the the country, also described as adults in underserved communities who are eligible to work in the United States, 18 years of age or older at the time of enrollment who are not enrolled in any K-12 school, who are seeking employment, and are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or who are an individual of color or a woman. At TechFluent we believe everyone should benefit from Work Readiness, Credentialed Training.
It is our mission to remove barriers that prevent our fellow citizens from participating in the data-tech economy. We deliver comprehensive, comprehensible training that does not assume prior technical competencies. We believe that anyone can master the required skills, regardless of age, cultural background, or prior work experience. Thus far, our Program Participants have enrolled as Learners with at least some college or work experience in their background, rather than students fresh out of high school. This isn’t to say that a recent high school graduate cannot be successful in our Program, we simply do not have Key Performance Indicators to inform that result. Our program, to date, has trained 200+ participants in a variety of products that are part of the Microsoft technological stack. In 2024 we placed 60% of our graduates in roles appropriate to the training we provided. In 2025, we placed 11% of our graduates, however, the Industry and the American economy in general has been in incredible flux. We are working fervently to overcome these hiring hurdles by partnering with a variety of Hiring Organizations and Placement Agencies to help us find opportunities for all of our graduates and active students.
We specialize in the Microsoft technology stack and the focus of this program will be data analytics which includes Microsoft 365 and the Power Platform, with an emphasis on Power BI.
Credentials to be awarded
PL-900 Power Platform Fundamentals
PL-300 Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst
PL-200 Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant
Approaches to Learning
TechFluent has curated a curriculum offering courses through every method of teaching style – self-paced and live-virtual, all supported by a Learning Leader providing technical support and facilitating Trainer Assistant collaboration as needed.
Self-Paced Classes through LinkedIn Learning
Our partnership with LinkedIn Learning offers comprehensive self-paced learning paths, utilizing their extensive library of online courses. This collaboration enriches our participants’ learning journey by providing access to high-quality educational content that aligns with industry standards and emerging trends. Each learner will receive a license and be required to complete the specified courses listed below. Additionally, the full LinkedIn Learning catalog will be available to them throughout the duration of the program, ensuring they have access to a wide range of resources to support their learning and professional development.
Live-Virtual Classes through TechFluent Volunteer Program
Live-Virtual trainers are provided through our extensive partnership with Microsoft Industry Consulting Partners and MVPs. Most are generously donating their time and expertise to deliver material they have developed and refined throughout their career, or which has been donated to TechFluent by a Leading Educator in the Industry. Occasionally, we may need to compensate a Trainer to guarantee a date, and in these cases, these Professionals are often receiving an honorarium well below their standard consulting rate.
Program Leader On-Virtual Calls
To augment the virtual learning portion of the Curriculum we will staff a Program Leader on each call with the Participants throughout the entire Program. This Program Leader will not generally be able to answer the technical questions, but more importantly, will facilitate the Trainer Assistants and Office Hours Support Volunteers providing virtual technical collaboration with the Participants to ensure fluid and full support.
Agenda:
Meet the Board President

Meet the Executive Director

Meet our Cohort Ambassadors

Hear from a Successful Graduate

Happy Thanksgiving Holiday!
2025-11-26 - 2025-11-28

Intro to Change Management, with Jonathan Monson
2025-11-20 09:00 - 16:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Introduction to Change Management
with Jonathan Monson
Change Management Professional
In this session, we will introduce the concept of Organizational Change Management and how it fits into the framework of successful Delivery Management. You will learn to properly define adoption and change management in the context of technology implementations. You will learn to describe the objectives of change management within a project or program. You will review change methodologies and discuss examples and how they apply to your project or program. And finally, we will discuss why it is important to apply an empathetic lens to interactions with a variety of people involved in your project or program.

Introduction to Microsoft's Success by Design, with Sara Jo Larsen - Day 2
2025-11-19 09:00 - 16:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Introduction to Microsoft’s Success by Design (2-Day Session)
with Sara Jo Larsen
Senior Architect at Centric Consulting.
In this session, we will introduce you to Microsoft’s premier FastTrack methodology agnostic delivery tool to ensure successful solution implementation end users and Microsoft Partners. Participants will explore the Success by Design framework and its pivotal role in guiding Dynamics 365 implementations. You will receive an in-depth review of key project phases, best practices, and FastTrack techniques, as well as gain practical strategies for planning, execution, and risk mitigation of projects on which you participate. The course will also emphasize solution architecture, governance, and compliance, ensuring secure and efficient deployments. Hands-on workshops will provide an opportunity to assess scalability and performance, while real-world case studies will prepare participants for implementation challenges. By the end of the session, learners will be equipped with actionable insights to optimize solution design, development, and deployment.

Intro to Microsoft's Success by Design, with Sara Jo Larsen
2025-11-18 09:00 - 16:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Introduction to Microsoft’s Success by Design
with Sara Jo Larsen
Senior Architect at Centric Consulting.
In this session, we will introduce you to Microsoft’s premier FastTrack methodology agnostic delivery tool to ensure successful solution implementation end users and Microsoft Partners. Participants will explore the Success by Design framework and its pivotal role in guiding Dynamics 365 implementations. You will receive an in-depth review of key project phases, best practices, and FastTrack techniques, as well as gain practical strategies for planning, execution, and risk mitigation of projects on which you participate. The course will also emphasize solution architecture, governance, and compliance, ensuring secure and efficient deployments. Hands-on workshops will provide an opportunity to assess scalability and performance, while real-world case studies will prepare participants for implementation challenges. By the end of the session, learners will be equipped with actionable insights to optimize solution design, development, and deployment.

User Story Development & Solution Design, with Sara Jo Larsen
2025-11-17 09:00 - 16:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
User Story Development & Solution Design
with Sara Jo Larsen
Senior Architect with Centric Consulting.
In this session, you will learn to properly develop User Stories distilling them from Requirements and gathering the details needed from your client through proper Backlog Grooming techniques. Additionally, we will review ways to manage a backlog properly whether you have basic tools (Excel) or nirvana (GYDE365), or something in between, to assist. After the User Stories are defined, they can be broken down further into Tasks for proper Solution Design, which is the next step in the Development Process and the next logical learning objective for this course. By the end of this course, you will know how to properly document your project’s Scope and Design in a manner that is traceable, trackable and consumable for building, testing and deployment.

Intro to Business Analysis
2025-11-12 09:00 - 16:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Introduction to Business Analysis

In this session, we will review the discipline of business analysis. We will discuss the career for Business Analysts and introduce you the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), its standards and Certifications. You will learn the various types of Requirements that Business Analysts are required to understand and work with. And, finally, you will become familiar with the typical Business Analysis process expected to be followed by all BAs in the technology space – Scrum. Finally, we will complete an exercise in this course to help solidify everything we’ve learned.

Exercise / Lab: Barista Process Flow

Intro to Delivery Management, with Sara Jo Larsen
2025-11-11 09:00 - 16:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Introduction to Delivery Management
with Sara Jo Larsen
Senior Architect at Centric Consulting.
In this session, you will explore the fundamentals of Delivery Management. More Learning Objectives to be added soon.

Intro to Project Management, with Anna Falcon
2025-11-10 09:00 - 16:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Introduction to Project Management
with Anna Falcon
Principal at Root16
In this session, we will introduce you to the basics of Project Management. We explain how to start and run a project. At the completion of this course, you will have a foundation in Project Management, but not specific governance process or templates on exactly how to execute Project Management for a specific business division. This course is intended for individuals who are new to project management with little to no experience. You will understand the core concepts, be able to define and manage project scope, track project status, properly start or initiate a project. You will understand how to schedule tasks properly and you will understand the concept of Risk Management.

CE / Power Platform Project Presentations
2025-11-05 - 2025-11-06 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
CE / Power Platform Project Presentations
All students will present their projects for feedback from Industry Professionals.
Panel of Judges will review via Teams Meeting; Presentations will be given in-person and streamed on camera via Teams.

Self-Study: Financial Literacy - Part 3
2025-10-30 09:00 - 13:30
Self-Study: Financial Literacy – Part 3

Economics for Everyone: Understanding a Recession (40m)
Real Estate Analytics (49m)
Real Estate: Negotiating with Sellers (1h)
Analyzing a Real Estate Deal (35m)
Real Estate Contracts (27m)
Real Estate: Estimating Repair Costs (49m)

Self-Study: Financial Literacy - Part 2
2025-10-29 09:00 - 16:00
Self-Study: Financial Literacy – Part 2

Personal Finance Tips Weekly (2h 50m)
Financial Literacy: 401k, 403b and Self-Directed IRAs (45m)
Build Sustainable Wealth & Get Out of Debt (1h 16m)
Evaluating College as an Investment (42m)

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, with Rachel Irabor - Microsoft MVP
2025-10-28 13:00 - 16:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
with Rachel Irabor
D365CE & Power Platform Developer at KPMG & Microsoft MVP
Imposter Syndrome can feel isolating, but it’s far more common than we realize. In this session, participants will explore the roots of Imposter Syndrome, understand how it affects confidence and decision-making, and discover practical strategies to reframe it as a source of strength. Through open discussion and reflection, we will learn how to turn self-doubt into self-empowerment.
Learning Objectives:

Recognize the signs of Imposter Syndrome and how it impacts confidence, productivity, and career growth.
Identify external factors, such as workplace dynamics, immigration, and representation, that can contribute to feelings of self-doubt.
Apply strategies to reframe Imposter Syndrome as a tool for resilience, growth, and authentic leadership.
Develop personalized techniques to become their own strongest supporter and advocate.

Professional Communication Strategies in the Modern Workplace, with Carol Smock
2025-10-28 09:00 - 12:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Professional Communication Strategies in the Modern Workplace
with Carol Smock
Executive Director of TechFluent Academy
In today’s fast-paced, hybrid work environments, effective communication is more than just a soft skill—it’s a strategic advantage. This dynamic 3-hour session equips professionals with the tools, techniques, and mindset needed to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact across diverse channels and audiences.
Participants will explore modern communication challenges and master strategies for navigating email etiquette, virtual meetings, cross-cultural interactions, and persuasive messaging. Through real-world scenarios, role-playing, and collaborative exercises, attendees will learn how to tailor their communication style to different stakeholders, resolve conflicts diplomatically, and foster stronger professional relationships.
Key Takeaways:

Best practices for digital communication (email, chat, video conferencing)
Emotional intelligence and active listening in business settings
Communicating across cultures and generations
Structuring messages for clarity, persuasion, and action
Giving and receiving feedback with professionalism
Building trust and credibility through communication

Self-Study: Financial Literacy - Part 1
2025-10-27 09:00 - 16:00
Self-Study: Financial Literacy – Part 1

Managing Your Personal Finances (1 hr)
Financial Basics Everyone Should Know (1hr 50m)
Financial Adulting (1h)
Finance Foundations: Income Taxes (2h)

Community Summit - Orlando, FL
2025-10-19 - 2025-10-23 | Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimee, Florida, United States
Community Summit North America is the largest independent innovation, learning, and training event of the Microsoft Business Applications ecosystem. You’ll get real-world tips & tricks and advanced strategies around the issues you’re tackling in this changing business landscape. Summit NA has hundreds of informative and educational sessions to deliver end-to-end learning around all versions of Dynamics 365 FO/AX, CE/CRM & BC/NAV, Dynamics GP & SL, and the Microsoft Power Platform.
Each year, Dynamics Communities, a Major Community Sponsor of TechFluent Academy, generously sponsors up to 10 Learners to attend the Summit as a learning and networking opportunity. In the past, many of those in attendance have left the Summit with job offers. Many return as speakers in future years, elevating their visibility in the marketplace and lighting their careers on fire!

Co-Pilot Studio - PVA, with Simon Wang
2025-10-15 09:00 - 16:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Co-Pilot Studio, Power Virtual Agents (2-Day Session)
with Simon Wang
AI Business Solutions Engineer at Microsoft
In this session, you’ll explore the fundamentals of Microsoft Copilot and Power Virtual Agents, learning how they enhance user interactions and automate business processes. You’ll gain hands-on experience configuring and deploying chatbots, integrating them into business applications to improve engagement. Discover how AI-driven automation can streamline workflows and boost efficiency, while Copilot helps generate insights and support decision-making within tools like Microsoft Dynamics 365. You’ll also learn best practices for conversational AI, ensuring clear and effective interactions. By connecting Power Virtual Agents with Microsoft Dataverse and Power Automate, you’ll enable seamless data flow and automated actions. Customize chatbot functionalities for specific business needs and prepare for the Basic Business Application Certification with key concepts and exam strategies.
This course developed by Simon Wang, of Microsoft.

Sales, Marketing and Customer Service Co-Pilot, with Simon Wang
2025-10-14 09:00 - 16:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Sales, Marketing and Customer Service Co-Pilot
with Simon Wang
AI Business Solution Engineer at Microsoft
This hands-on course equips professionals with the skills to harness Microsoft Copilot across sales, marketing, and customer service functions. Participants will learn how to streamline workflows, personalize customer engagement, and drive data-informed decisions using AI-powered tools embedded in Dynamics 365.
Through real-world scenarios and guided practice, learners will explore how Copilot enhances productivity—from drafting compelling marketing content and analyzing campaign performance to generating sales insights and resolving customer inquiries with speed and precision.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

Automate routine tasks and communications across CRM and marketing platforms
Use Copilot to extract actionable insights from customer data and sales pipelines
Generate persuasive content for campaigns, proposals, and customer outreach
Improve customer service responsiveness and personalization using AI assistance
Integrate Copilot into daily workflows for consistent, scalable impact

Self-Study: Mastering Microsoft Powerpoint, Day 2
2025-10-13 09:00 - 12:30
Self-Study: Mastering Microsoft Powerpoint (9.5 hours total)
Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint is an essential skill for many careers. Discover how to create more polished and professional presentations by mastering PowerPoint. Learn to use the features and built-in tools in PowerPoint. Design better slides, using animations and rich media. Enhance presentations with visualizations and storytelling.
Recommend completing 4.5 hours on Day 2.

Self-Study: Mastering Microsoft PowerPoint
2025-10-10 09:00 - 13:00
Self-Study: Mastering Microsoft Powerpoint (9.5 hours total)
Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint is an essential skill for many careers. Discover how to create more polished and professional presentations by mastering PowerPoint. Learn to use the features and built-in tools in PowerPoint. Design better slides, using animations and rich media. Enhance presentations with visualizations and storytelling.
Recommend completing 5 hours on Day 1.

Self-Study: Master Microsoft Excel, Day 2
2025-10-08 09:00 - 13:00
Master Microsoft Excel (13 hours total)
Employers around the world cite Microsoft Excel as one of the most sought-after skills for any new hire. This learning path helps you become an Excel power user—covering everything from functions and formatting to PivotTables and dashboards. Master the powerful features and functions in Excel. Learn how to use Excel’s robust built-in formulas. Get up to speed on PivotTables, dashboards, and Power Query.
Recommend completing 5 hours on Day 2.

Self-Study: Master Microsoft Excel, Day 3
2025-10-09 09:00 - 12:00
Master Microsoft Excel (13 hours total)
Employers around the world cite Microsoft Excel as one of the most sought-after skills for any new hire. This learning path helps you become an Excel power user—covering everything from functions and formatting to PivotTables and dashboards. Master the powerful features and functions in Excel. Learn how to use Excel’s robust built-in formulas. Get up to speed on PivotTables, dashboards, and Power Query.
Recommend completing 3 hours on Day 3.

Self-Study: Master Microsoft Word, Day 2
2025-10-07 09:00 - 13:00
Self-Study: Master Microsoft Word (8 hours total)
Proficiency in Microsoft Word is one of the most in-demand software skills today. This learning path helps you become a power user in Word. Discover how to create forms, format documents, use built-in templates, and more. Use Word’s powerful features and functions with ease. Create and edit forms. Utilize Word’s built-in styles and templates.
Recommend completing 4 hours on Day 2.
