For some year back the Institute's Training & Development Division has provided an extensive range of executive development and professionally accredited programmes, short training courses and organisational development supports for new and experienced managers, administrators and technical staff across the public sector in addition to opportunities for dialogue, debate and exchange of experience and views. At a time of complex and rapid change and given the need for greater accountability, integration and mobility across the public service, our innovative learning approaches enable public servants to build the knowledge and capabilities necessary to lead, manage and immediately apply new insights to their issues and challenges.
Please see our range of professionally accredited programmes and training courses below. Our current training schedule is also available
Certificate in Audit Skills
The aim of the Certificate in Audit Skills (CAS) is to develop the skills and knowledge of public sector internal auditors in order to carry out effective audits and make a greater contribution to the governance of their organisations. The Certificate is an issues-based course focused on skills enhancement to meet the ever-changing needs of the auditor in delivering an added value and quality service. The programme examines in detail, and in a very practical manner, the key areas of the work of an internal auditor.
Duration:
12 Days (Four x Three Day Modules)
Statutory Obligations for Public and State Bodies
Boards of Public & State Bodies have a duty to ensure that their organisations are compliant with all relevant statutory obligations. Their role in this regard involves a) an understanding of what the statutory obligations are and b) seeking and securing assurance on the adequacy of the mechanisms in place to secure compliance with them.
This half-day workshop provides an overview of the main statutory requirements for public bodies and will draw on the Institute’s experience in advising and facilitating Boards, Board Members and Executives.
Duration:
Half Day
Introduction To Internal Audit
The Introduction to Internal Audit is a four-day programme, delivered over two modules. The course explores the role of the Internal Auditor, the audit process and the relationship of the internal auditor with management, the audit committee and external audit. The course is very participative with a high emphasis on the theoretical and practical aspects of auditing.
Duration:
Four Days (Two x Two Day Modules)
Corporate Governance For State And Public Sector Bodies
Public bodies and many other organisations in receipt of public support must insure that their corporate governance frameworks are of a best practice standard and that they are in compliance with specified corporate governance codes. This course will give insights into the principles on which codes are based, provide an overview of the key issues for the different stakeholders and discuss the implications of how governance practices can be assessed.
Duration:
One Day
Board Secretary: Roles, Responsibilities and Good Practices
This one-day Board Secretary workshop, to be delivered in conjunction with the AICPA), is designed for those who have been newly or recently appointed to the position of Board Secretary in the public and not-for-profit sectors, and those who feel they would benefit from further or formal training. The workshop will examine the role and responsibilities of the Secretary, both as prescribed, and in practice. It will also look at good practices which a Secretary can introduce and foster to support good governance within their organisation.
Duration:
One Day
Managing Relations with Charities
Managing Relations with Charities - Regulation, Funding and Oversight is a half-day course that is designed for public sector employees who have direct responsibilities in managing relationships between their Department or Public Sector Agencies and Charities entrusted with the delivery of specific services. It equally caters for both Board Member/Trustee and staff of Charities in receipt of public funds and those who feel they would benefit from further or formal training. The course will examine current regulation and best practices in terms of reporting and oversight relationship between funders and charities and ways to foster mutual confidence in sound management and good governance.
Duration:
Half Day
Risk Management For Public Service Organisations And State Agencies
Effective management of risk is now recognised as a critical element of good governance and assurance arrangements in public service organisations and state agencies. Handling uncertainties and agreeing priorities has implications for strategic and business planning objectives, the relationship with stakeholders and also the resourcing, management and control of work programmes and activities. Utilising the ISO risk management standard and building on our practical experience with client organisations, this one-day focussed event will give attendees a comprehensive introduction to this important governance and management process.
Duration:
One Day
Audit Committee Member Training
The expectations and obligations on audit committees continue to evolve in response to governance developments and the need for Boards and governing bodies to demonstrate that they are adhering to relevant audit, assurance and risk management requirements. The Audit committee charter will set out the duties of the Audit Committee in areas such as internal control, internal audit, external audit, financial reporting, risk management, reporting relationships within the organisation and its interaction with other committees. This highly interactive half day event will be of benefit to new audit committee members and those who wish to benchmark how their audit committee is functioning.
Duration:
Half Day
Finance for Non-Finance Managers
Finance for Non-Finance Managers is intended to provide an overview of the main aspects of finance confronting an increasing number of individuals in public service organisations. Devolved financial management responsibilities have led to a redefinition of many roles and the establishment of many budget holders. This has led to an increased need for people with an understanding of financial reporting, management accounting and control and audit. This one day course is aimed at providing an overview of these areas of finance.
Duration:
One Day
Understanding the Financial Reports of Public Bodies
Published accounts are the backbone of the accountability and reporting system used in the public, semi-state and private sectors. The information contained in these reports is critical for those charged with the responsibility of monitoring agency performance. However, this information is only useful where it can be interpreted accurately and in the correct context. Understanding the Financial Reports of Public Bodies is a one-day course that is designed for those who need a basic knowledge of the principles of the financial reporting system, from the nature of the information that goes into published accounts, to understanding what it is the statements actually report.
Duration:
One Day
Bookkeeping and Accounting
A robust system of recording transactions is the means by which we can ensure that all financial data is captured and that the final accounts can be relied upon and fully reflect all that has happened in any organisation. Double entry bookkeeping is a widely used system of recording transactions and provides the basis for many IT based accounting systems. The course will examine in detail the whole bookkeeping process from the beginning of a transaction through to the preparation of a trial balance and will consider journals and corrections. It will also consider how the bookkeeping process sits within an accrual accounting or cash reporting framework.
Duration:
One Day
Certified Mediation Training Programme
The overall aim of the Certified Mediation Training Programme is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Mediation as well as expertise in mediation skills for the management of workplace and organisational conflicts and disputes.
Duration:
Six Days over Three Months
Accreditation:
AICPA
Mediation Skills for Managers
The two-day Mediation Skills for Managers training programme is designed to give participants an understanding of conflict and different approaches to managing conflict, where mediation sits within the range of alternative dispute resolution approaches, an introduction to the theory and practice of mediation as well as an understanding of the mediation model and relevant skills. The programme is suitable for staff at all levels who wish to enhance their knowledge, skills and approach to conflict resolution, in particular in relation to organisational / workplace conflict.
Duration:
Two Days
Introduction To Human Resource Management
This introductory Human Resource Management course, run over two modules, is of particular interest to staff that have recently been appointed to either a human resource role or department. The course has been designed to incorporate current best practice and recent developments in employment legislation. It will be delivered over two modules (one x two day workshop and one x one day workshop).
HRM Training For Line Managers
Line managers are central to ensuring that recommendations set out in the Report of the Task Force on the Public Service – Transforming Public Services - are achieved within organisations. Their knowledge and skills in relation to people management significantly impact on the organisation’s culture, day-to-day operations, staff performance and employee engagement. In view of the above, proactive organisations are now ensuring that their line managers have the necessary skills, knowledge and support to enable them to play an effective role in engaging with staff and securing their commitment to, and participation in, the change process and the ongoing transformation of the public service.
Duration:
1 - 3 Days
Competency Based Interviewee Preparation
This one-day Competency Based Interviewee Preparation workshop is suitable for staff at all levels of the organisation who are eager to improve their interview techniques. The programme focuses on practical interview preparation, skills development and answering styles.
The aim of this very practical workshop is to ensure that candidates have the best possible opportunity to succeed by fully understanding the interview process and being focused on what is required of them.
Duration:
One Day
Competency Based Interviewer Preparation Workshop
This one-day workshop has been designed to provide participants with a clear understanding of the theory underpinning current best practice in interviewing as well as providing them with an understanding of their resposibilities as interview board members. The interviewing may be for external recuritment or increasingly, to assess current employees suitability for promotion, redeployment to another organisation or re-assignment to a new function.
Duration:
One Day
Conflict Management and Negotiating Skills
This practical one-day workshop will enable participants to gain an understanding of key principles of Conflict Management and Negotiation and develop their skills in the areas of Conflict Management and Negotiation.
Duration:
One Day