The CERT Program Administration team will host monthly virtual workshops for certified and non-certified businesses.
All workshops will take place virtually via Zoom on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
Monthly workshops are intended to provide the following:
Technical assistance for CERT-certified businesses
Technical assistance for businesses interested in applying for CERT certification
Information on contract opportunities
Training related to better use of the CERT portal
General information as needed related to CERT Program updates
We want our workshops to cater to what you want to hear! In addition to topics we have planned, if you are a CERT-certified firm or a firm looking to be CERT-certified and are interested in a specific topic; please complete this CERT Monthly Workshop Topic Suggestion Form.
Starting in the summer of 2024, the day-to-day management of the Central (CERT) Certification Program began transitioning from the City of Saint Paul to an outside company, Strong & Starlike Consulting, Inc. To learn more about the program transition, please visit here. To connect with the new team on questions related to CERT, please contact us in the following ways:
Schedule a 1:1 Meeting Through Weekly Office Hours
Phone: 651-288-4040
Below are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the workshops.
The workshops are intended to both (1) provide information about the program at a high level and (2) all for 1:1 technical assistance for businesses requesting it. The parts of the program at the beginning prior to the technical assistance may be beneficial for your business.
It would probably be better for you to meet with us over office hours to discuss your questions. You may schedule time for office hours related to database clean up here.
In terms of the goal of having time to provide businesses technical assistance with their applications, yes. However, some workshops may have presentations by other partners on their programs and opportunities.
We would like to help you resolve your issue. It would be better to meet with us 1:1 during our office hours. You may schedule that time here.
You may register for the workshop here
We welcome all businesses to attend the workshop. CERT-certified businesses and businesses looking to get CERT-certified.
Yes, registration will close 2 hours before the workshop begins.
Yes, the materials from the workshop will be shared with attendees.
Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Learn More and Register for This Session Here
Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Learn More and Register for This Session Here
Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Learn More and Register for This Session Here
Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Learn More and Register for This Session Here
Beginning in December 2025, the management of the CERT Monthly Workshops are transitioning from Strong & Starlike Consulting, Inc. to the City of Saint Paul and Hennepin County. To register for the December workshop, which is being held on Wednesday, December 10th at 2:00 p.m. virtually, please e-mail Jef Yang at jef.yang@ci.stpaul.mn.us