DAS-PDS Training & Development
PDS courses are available to State of Iowa employees as well as other organizations, such as county and city government, and the general public.
List items for PDS Learning
PDS offers over 35 live courses, delivered virtually and in person by content experts. Courses are offered multiple times throughout the year, allowing employees to select sessions that best fit their schedules. Classes are affordably priced including several free courses, helping ensure broad access to professional development opportunities.
Employees can view and enroll in available classes through Workday Learning or explore offerings in the PDS course catalog.
PDS offers several on-demand courses that can be taken at your own pace through Workday Learning.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action / Anti-Discrimination
- Creating a Violence-Free Workplace
- Preventing Sexual Harassment for Employees
- Preventing Sexual Harassment for Managers/Supervisors
- Role of the Lead Worker
- State Government Foundations
- Substance Abuse Policy
- Vacancy to Hire
New Horizons provides training opportunities around technical learning, professional development, and more. Following is a small sampling of what is offered by New Horizons:
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Office Word
- Adobe Illustrator
- The Art of Effective Presentations
- Mastering Positive Assertiveness
- and much more!
Check out the New Horizons website for a full listing of course offerings.
Learning format
Classes are live, virtual courses ranging from 90 minutes to multiple days. You will take part in discussions, perform virtual labs, ask questions, etc. Instructors are even able to remote into your computer for "hands-on" help.
Enrollment
Enroll through PDS for special State pricing. If you see a course you'd like to take, complete the New Horizon's Enrollment Form. Your Agency's Learning Admin can assist with setting up enrollment.
Questions
For questions about scheduling or courses, contact your Agency's Learning Admin, PDS (pds@iowa.gov), or Mike Anderson from New Horizons (mike.anderson@newhorizons.com)
The State of Iowa, with Drake University, offers a nationally-accredited Certified Public Manager® (CPM) program. This program is an intensive learning experience meant for supervisors, managers, executives, management staff, and project managers. Participants include employees from federal, state, county, and local governments.
Learn more about CPM.
If your team or agency has a specific training need that might require customized training, contact PDS. PDS will attempt to provide this specialized training either by working with our current vendors or identifying other training professionals. PDS can arrange sessions to best meet the work group's schedule and to deliver the training in a timely, effective manner.
To begin coordinating a special session for your department, please contact PDS at 515-281-5456 or pds@iowa.gov.
Enrolling in Courses
State of Iowa Employees should enroll online for PDS courses through Workday Learning. Employees not in workday or external users, please complete the PDS Enrollment Form and email it to PDS@iowa.gov.
Log in
- State employees within Workday will access Learning in the Workday App accessible through Okta.
- State employees not within Workday and external users will access Learning through a separate link.
Enroll
- Browse the Catalog to find courses and enroll.
- Some courses require supervisor approval. You will be placed in pending status until approval is received. Your supervisor will receive notification of your enrollment request.
- Upon approval, you will receive an email confirmation of your enrollment. You will now find the course information and materials under "My Learning" in the Learning app.
- View your transcript under My Learning in the Learning app. View this transcript as well as learning history under Career in your employee profile.
- Please contact PDS Training if you have any special needs or accommodations.
Support
Please submit a support ticket if you have trouble using Workday Learning.
Training Locations
Unless otherwise specified, training takes place at one of the following locations.
Location
Hoover Building, 1305 E Walnut St., Des Moines
Directions
- Enter through the sliding doors on the northwest corner of the building.
- Proceed through the double doors in the back right corner of the lobby to the elevators.
- Go down one floor to level A.
- Proceed to the right, through the common area to the training rooms. Most training takes place in conference rooms 5 & 6.
Resources
New Horizons live, virtual courses will be held on Zoom. Links to access classes will be sent directly from New Horizons before the date of class.
Resources
Please contact us with any special needs, accommodations, or questions.
FY26 Catalog and Upcoming Classes
