DHS Program Resources

Training FAQs

How do I register for a class?

1. Go to TrainLink Home Page.
2. Select "Income Maintenance and Employment Services" Learning Center.
3. Select "Sign On" (located in the upper right corner of page).
4. Enter your Unique Key and click OK. Don’t know what a Unique Key is? See below for more information and how to obtain one.
5. Select "Course Catalog" under the Training Activities and Registration heading on the Main Menu.
6. In the Search box, type "Employment Services" then click "Search" for a list of all employment services classes.
7. Click on “Select” next to the class you would like to attend.
8. Select “Enroll in this class” located in the upper right corner of page.
9. Select Yes when asked, "Are you sure you want to enroll in this class?"
10. Verify or correct your e-mail address, phone and fax numbers. Click OK to complete your registration. You will receive an automated e-mail confirmation of your enrollment provided that we have your correct e-mail address.

How do I cancel from a class?

1. Go to TrainLink Home Page.
2. Select the “Income Maintenance and Employment Services” Learning Center.
3. Select “Sign On.”
4. Enter your Unique Key and click OK.
5. Select “View Your Transcript” from the Main Menu.
6. Select the class you wish to cancel from by clicking on the word “Select” in front of the class name.
7. Select “Cancel from this class.”
8. Select “Yes” when asked, Are you sure you want to cancel from this class?
9. For most class sessions, you will receive an automated e-mail message confirming your cancellation.

NOTE: You may be unable to cancel on the date of the class through the Learning Centers. If you need to cancel on the day of the class and cannot do so through the Learning Center, please contact the person at the bottom of this page.

What is TrainLink?

TrainLink is DHS’s learning management system. The TrainLink web site contains several Learning Centers as well as links to other DHS registration systems. Here you can find class schedules, online learning modules, and the training registration system. TrainLink keeps track of learner participation, including classes completed and certifications earned.

What is a Unique key?

Your Unique Key is an identification number that the Learning Centers use to manage your transcript and registrations. If you are a county employee with an X1 number your X1 number is often also your unique key. For all other users, your unique key will be created once your agency completes the Unique Key Request Form located in the top mid-section of the TrainLink Home Page.

Do I really need to register or attend the entire time?

Yes. Registration ensures there are enough seats and materials for students. All students are required to arrive and depart from class on time. If you are aware that you will not be able to be present, please do not register for the class. You can always register at a later time if the class becomes available again.

What is the waiting list?

The Learning Centers create a waiting list when a class becomes full. The Learning Center moves through the list in order as seats become available and will automatically register learners in open seats. You will receive an e-mail confirmation if you are moved from the waitlist into an open seat.

Why can’t I register?

To assure adequate materials and seats, registration is never permitted through TrainLink on the same day of the class. You may receive the message that “This class has a start date of today” or “That class has already started”, even though technically, it may not start for a few hours. Sometimes, registration closes a few days earlier than the class date, again with the intent of assuring sufficient materials and seats for the registered attendees. If you receive the message that “This class is no longer open for enrollments”, this is probably the reason.

To assure that resources don’t go to waste and that as many learners as possible have the opportunity to attend training, simultaneous registration in multiple classes that overlap on the same dates and times is often not permitted at the discretion of the training host area. If you receive the message that “You cannot register in this class because you are already taking another class at the same time,” this is most likely the reason. You may view Your Training Calendar from the Learning Center home page to determine the cause of the conflict.

Finally, a few classes don’t permit enrollment if you have previously completed or enrolled in the class on a different date. If you receive the message “You cannot register in this class because you have already signed up for or taken it” this is the reason. However, if you would like to take a class again, please contact the person listed at the bottom of this page.

Having issues with We-based trainings?

If you are having issues with Web-based trainings, review the "Having Issues with a DHS Web-Based Training?" document for troubleshooting.

Does DHS provide food, lodging, parking or reimburse parking fees?

DHS only provides parking. Contact your employer to see if they reimburse employee food or lodging expenses. Registered students attending classes held at the DHS Training Center (444 Lafayette Rd in St Paul) will be provided via e-mail with a print-and-display parking permit for a shuttle-served remote lot. Not all class sessions park in the same lot, so be sure to verify your e-mail reminders for each class to determine where you are expected to park. Do not park in lots for which you don’t have a permit as you may incur a ticket and/or towing fees.

Check with the information desk or your instructor at the training facility. The 444 Lafayette building has a cafeteria and gift shop that sell meals, sandwiches, beverages and snacks. This is also a refrigerator and microwave available in the DHS Training Center for all students to use. Please feel free to bring your own food.