Sept. 1, 2008 — Isaac Schaeffer, founder of Covenant Point Institute (CPI), sees a disconnect between employees and employers, and he wants to connect them through training with a Christian vision.
CPI provides analysis, training and staff development services to non-profits, corporate groups, government entities and businesses of all sorts. The plans to accomplish this are individualized to the customer, but generally include elements such as team building, education, communication, conflict resolution, leadership-skill building and program management.
"Individuals and companies gain confidence from the program with education that promotes higher productivity and efficiency," Schaeffer says.
The institute is founded on the conviction of Christian faith, he says, with the assumption that every individual is made in the image of the Creator, who has given each person gifts and talents.
"We look at people in a holistic approach: spiritually, socially, academically and vocationally," Schaeffer says.
The institute works in collaboration with community groups and churches.
"We engage in a faith-based partnership with a number of local churches, pastors and parochial schools working with youth programs," Schaeffer says.
For more than 15 years Isaac has connected and trained people within business, government agencies and non-profit groups. The non-profit institute, funded by private donations, was founded in April 2000 and is headquartered at 3 Estate Herman Hill, Christiansted. There is also an international office located in Jamaica.
Collectively Schaeffer and the small staff hold credentials from the U.S. Department of Labor's Management Institute, Office of Job Corps, the American Society for Training and Development, American Intercontinental University, University of Tulsa Center for Executive and Professional Development, Southern Nazarene University School of Management, Oklahoma College of Business and Technology (OJC), Oral Roberts University and elsewhere.
The process begins with CPI associates going to the organization or business requesting training to access the needs and develop training to fit their needs.
As an example, Schaeffer says the group requesting training could be for pre-GED classes designed around the needs of working adults.
The educational upgrade may be important for their careers, but not at the expense of work or home. CPI develops a module to ensure a balance between home, work and class.
"The participants get personalized attention in customized classes," Schaeffer says.
The staff uses stimulating, interactive instruction and activities to make the experience interesting and the principles enduring. The institute has low student-teacher ratios to create a positive, encouraging atmosphere, he says.
"I feel a mission of the institute is to target employees to help them move up to higher positions in the workplace and make them more attractive to upper management," Schaeffer says.
A large percentage of young black males work in menial jobs, he says, and CPI can help prepare them to meet the market's demand for skilled personnel at higher levels.
"We model programs to enable employees to fill higher positions," Schaeffer says.
CPI has provided analysis and training for a number of major companies in the community, such as Hovensa, Wyatt Corporation, Turner St. Croix and Triangle Corporation.
For more information about CPI, call 877-462-7401.
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