Southeast Alberta Teacher’s Convention
Piikani Employment Services
Piikani Youth Initiative Project
Lethbridge Fire & Emergency Services
Human Resources Association of Calgary
Lakeland College
McBride Career Group
Building Tomorrow Today Conference
International Association of Business Analysts – Calgary Chapter
Building Tomorrow Today Conference
Building Tomorrow Today Conference
"The wit and wisdom you provided for us as a keynote speaker, trainer and lunchtime entertainer at the Arkansas Career Guidance Association was very well received by everyone.
Your anecdotal view from personal awareness and surveys of youth and employers regarding generational differences or the lack thereof was eye opening to our audience of career guidance teachers.
It provided great inspiration and insight into the treatment and training of Gen-Y students. When I was a young student in school I remember adults referring to us Baby Boomers in the same manner as we speak about these kids today.
I think we forget where we came from and I believe there is hope for this generation too. Thanks for enlightening us in Arkansas."
~Ray Henson, Program Coordinator , State of Arkansas Department of Career Education
"Herky is a great performer, career development professional, and speaker who infuses his passion for music into a wonderful workshop! He truly lifts spirits while he teaches valuable skills!"
~Dr. Ray Davis, South Carolina State Department of Education
"Herky, I recently attended the NCDA Conference in the states. I really found your seminar very inspirational and you opened my eyes with your many and varied creative ideas. In fact I have downloaded your ebook and plan to use one (or more) of your 'work' tunes in a workshop we are running..."
~Ann Evans, Careers & Graduate Employment Advisor , Australia
"Herky is a unique group facilitator who balances program objectives and time frame while building relationships and delivering a program. He is creative in his approach, blending humor as well as numerous tools and techniques to engage participants. Herky is passionate with all he takes on."
~Lise LeBlanc, Career Development Specialist and Consultant
"Herky is a pro! His very dynamic presentation on taking risks brought up the energy level on our staff retreat day, and left us with something to think about. I appreciated that Herky spent time beforehand asking lots of questions and getting to know about our organization, what we do, the people in it, and what our staff retreat day was all about. He had never been on our campus before yet, because of his prior “research” he seemed already familiar with who we are. Thanks again Herky for bringing your message and ideas to our event!"
~Darcy Smereka, St. Mary's University
“Herky has taught our staff how to help clients find work and how to access and use good labour market information. Our staff rave about Herky - in a good way. They call him "awesome". They found his training both practical and engaging. Herky made time for structured practice and ensured everyone's participation. Herky "really listened" and "understands our material and our work very well". He knows his material and "brought the material to life, he could relate it to what we are doing". Herky found ways to teach "for all learning types". For myself, I have known Herky as a career professional for a number of years. He is an energetic, committed, well-connected, and positive activist in the field of career development. When Herky offers a course or session, I recommend people take it. I do.”
~Emily Sylvester, Alberta Employment & Immigration
"Herky is an amazing leader who has lead an organization of counselors whose goal is to improve the lives of high school students. Herky has the rare skill of providing well defined structures that allow both students and staff to excel."
~Philip Uglow, President/CEO at Renshi Consulting Group Ltd.
“I had the pleasure of video taping one of Herky's 'Using Music as a Career Development Tool' interactive presentations. It was a great experience to be part of. I was one of probably many who walked in there going 'What the heck is this going to be about? How does music relate to Career Development?' Well let me say - he made me a believer. He brings it into such simple to understand terms and strategies that I was instantly convinced he had struck upon a true gem of delving deep into what someone would enjoy doing in their life. Herky is a welcome change to some of the events I have previously recorded and edited. He creates a fun and energetic atmosphere - as well as letting his attendees know right away that he's not there to waste their time, and he appreciates they won't be wasting his.”
~Shawn Christenson, Highly Inspired Solutions
Herky is a long standing and respected member of the Career Development Association of Alberta and so it was an honor to have him present to our members for our Annual Professional Development event in Red Deer, Alberta on May 12, 2012.
His half day workshop on “Cutting Edge Work Search Tips and Tools” engaged and captivated his audience. Leave it to Herky to provide each and every member of a room full of experienced professionals with a handful of new tools, strategies, and activities to better support their clients and themselves in their work search! The tools Herky shared are accessible, relevant, and most certainly CUTTING EDGE.
Herky is not only engaging and inspiring but his sense of humor, creativity, and passion for his work bring life and meaning to the concepts he presents. As a workshop facilitator Herky is first class!
~Paula Wischoff Yerama , Board Chair, Career Development Association of Alberta
We had an incredible session with Herky. He delivered many practical ideas and got us on our feet to better understand the concepts through experience. His humorous and entertaining style was a refreshing and effective approach to a serious topic.
~Marlene Barker, VP Corporate Development , International Institute of Business Analysts, Calgary Chapter
“Inspirational!”
“I liked EVERYTHING about this presentation! I wish it was longer.”
“Exceptional!”
“Fantastic!”
“It was useful to observe an interesting and humourous presenter do a great job!”
“I liked the WHOLE DAMN THING!”
~Building Tomorrow Today Conference 2007
“Herky is awesome. I hope I am like him some day.”
~Student, University of Lethbridge Career Development Class
“Herky, with little notice, customized a musical teambuilding experience for 60+ of our leaders at Lethbridge College. And we couldn’t have asked for a better more worthwhile activity that promoted risk taking and teambuilding in a fun relaxed atmosphere. Everyone participated and we won’t soon forget the songs we composed and performed in seven minutes. We are hoping to work with Herky again in the future and would heartily recommend him to others.”
~Dr. Tracy L. Edwards, President and CEO, Lethbridge College
This is great Herky. Thank you again for a very successful team-building session that also encourages appropriate behaviors in the workplace between employees and towards visitors. I am forwarding this email and the session comments to my Regional Manager, Ian Clarke, as he will have great interest in encouraging other historic sites to take advantage of your excellent sessions. Your expertise comes with a local perspective and that has worked very well with our staff.
~James Martin , Site Manager, Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, Alberta
"I have known Herky Cutler for many years in his capacity as a fellow Rotarian, and as a friend. Herky very ably and conscientiously managed a Rotary District 5360 program called Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (R.Y.P.E.N.), starting firstly with assisting at the annual September program held in the Cypress Hills near Medicine Hat. He eventually took over management of all RYPEN programs for our district, and has been in charge of these for the past 10 years or more, successfully helping yearly over 100 youths in a program aimed at enriching the lives of youths ages 13 – 18.
More recently, Herky was the Rotary representative on a Group Study Exchange to Russia, and having met with 2 of the participants I know that they were very pleased with the trip, and with the guidance, leadership, and friendship extended to them by Herky.
Herky is a very engaging and talented individual, able to act in many roles and capacities, and I value him as a fellow Rotarian, and as my friend."
~Jim MacSween, Barrister & Solicitor Rowanoak Law Office LLP
“Herky currently teaches Work Search and Labour Market Information courses for us. He is a creative facilitator who can bring otherwise dry material to life (and applicability) through his humour and warmth. It's great having him on board!”
~Dave Redekopp, Life-Role Development Group
“Herky Cutler was the driving force behind my getting back into the mainstream, and without his constant support and encouragement, I do not believe that I would be looking forward to starting a full time job…”
~Shannon
“Engaging, light-hearted, genuine…”
“The presenter’s rapport with the group….was outstanding!”
“Wonderful understanding of his technique and GREAT facilitator!”
“I had a wonderful time! In my opinion, it was the best workshop of the conference!”
“It was an awesome presentation!”
~Alberta Literacy Coordinators Conference 2008
“I found your course was very eye opening and it has truly changed my direction in life. For the first time in my whole life, I have a real attainable goal. Thank you again for your help, support and encouragement. I never dreamed when I started this course that I would be so drawn to a career. Now I look forward to the days ahead…”
~Debbie
"Herky and I have co-facilitated training workshops under contract to Life-Role Development Group for Alberta Employment and Immigration. Herky is a talented and experienced facilitator who is able to create a safe environment to support participants in their learning and their expression of new ideas. He creates elegant opportunities for networking and team building within groups that enhance the overall training experience.He is a supportive and adventurous co-facilitator, ready to try new approaches and resources and constantly in search of creative ways to support participants in their learning. He brings abundant humour, kindness and insight to the training room."
~Kristen Cumming, Career Insight Consulting
“I had the privilege to sit in on one of Herky’s workshops, Generations in the Workplace. Not only did I learn about the differences in generations, but how to effectively relate and communicate with a person who is in a different generation from myself. Herky was able to use his light humour and charming wit to keep the workshop at a nice pace with a light feel. It was nice to see a facilitator create a safe environment to allow for open discussion. Great job!”
~Tammy Thomsen, Teamwork Training Institute, Alberta, Canada
"I recently attended two training programs totaling 5 days facilitated by Herky, and I’m glad he aspires to bring laughter because that is what he did for our classroom! He doesn’t say, “ no, but…” , he says “yes, and??” And he patiently listens to respond to whatever is offered. You never know what can happen when you have someone like that on your team! From Herky I gather that the sky is the limit!"
~Trish Kurylowich Career & Employment Consultant/Alberta Human Services
"Herky is a wonderful musician and entertainer. From the time he hits the stage to the last bit of applause his connection with the audience is total. His well crafted songs and tight guitar and harp playing keeps the toes tapping and the body swaying not to mention his fun bag of instruments for audience participation. An evening with Herky is just plain all round fun entertainment."
~Bruce Dynes, Medicine Hat Folk Club
“On behalf of Crowsnest Community Support Society, I would like to thank Herky Cutler for the Team Building sessions that he facilitated for our society in late 2009/early 2010. Prior to these team building sessions I had not had the opportunity to meet Herky, so I was not sure what to expect from the multi-day sessions. However, after the process was completed, I was very impressed with Herky’s style of facilitation.
The initial brainstorming sessions that were conducted in smaller groups allowed employees to get to the roots of employee concerns/conflicts, but they also allowed employees the opportunity to explore the positive aspects of the society. Herky then took all of the information from these smaller sessions and came up with a number of core issues that employees needed to address. He then had a session with all the employees, where he divided the group into smaller groups in order to tackle these main concerns. The follow-up session in January brought all of the groups together to discuss the issues they had been given and to look at what solutions had been proposed and/or implemented.
I feel that these sessions have created a solid base that the society can use to hopefully build a stronger team dynamic.”
~James Woodall, Executive Director, Crowsnest Community Support Society
“Herky. I just want to let you know that I really enjoyed your session and it did a lot for me as a job developer. First of all speaking in public will never be a problem after "singing" and you opened up a whole knew creativity for me to help my clients.”
~Participant – Cannexus 2009
“I would like to express my appreciation for the fine work done by Herky Cutler in establishing the BEST Program (Building Employment Skills Today). Herky was able to rally many employers in the community to offer their time and businesses to make this program a success.”
~Cliff Elle, Pinche - Creek & District Chamber of Economic Development
