Struggling to keep your briefings concise? Finding it hard to get the message across and the result you want? Writing for ministers and senior executives presents challenges. This practical course will explore the planning and drafting essentials of brief writing, boosting your confidence in your ability to meet the needs of decision-makers.
This intensive course is designed to help public sector employees identify and apply key techniques in written communication. You will refresh yourself in your understanding of punctuation and grammar, to give you confidence in both your writing and proofreading abilities. If your job involves writing anything (for internal or external use) and you want to improve its power and its accuracy, then this is the course for you.
“A pleasure to attend such an informative course with such a skilled, articulate, friendly, professional and engaging presenter. It surpassed my expectations.”
Sharon
Department for Environment & Water
“I proof read every day so this course has really helped me sharpen my proof reading skills.”
Maddi
DCSI
“Brilliant presenter - engaging, dynamic and fun. No judgement and really pulled everyone into participating in a safe environment.”
Annon
“Nigel was very engaging and entertaining, while keeping on track with the course aims. He was able to draw the whole class in and get everyone involved, always asking for examples/issues from the participants, and providing/responding with his high level of skill, knowledge and guidance.”
Sharon
Department for Environment & Water
“Already I have noticed that I have a greater attention to detail. It feels like you go through mind training almost.”
Sue
SA Health
“Should be offered to all communications staff in agencies - I would highly recommend this course to my colleagues.”
Sharon
Department for Environment & Water
“The moment I got back to work I told my colleagues about how amazing this course was and the presenter.”
This course provides a practical overview of the institutions, agencies and processes that make up the South Australian Public Sector. The session will look at the workings of public sector processes with a facilitator who has participated in them.
"
Relevant, engaging content tailored to individuals in the course."
Beth
"Overall understanding and knowledge will assist in understanding strategic intent and purpose behind processes."
Learn the skills needed to research, compile and edit information to inform quality decisions. Through this program, you will be introduced to tools that you can apply to create an immediate improvement in the quality of reports and proposals and identify what decision-makers require from these documents.
The Presenter's (Mark's) ability to explain complex areas in simple terms for all to understand. Points of the course which were not relevant to specific people's work place were made relevant by Mark listening and adapting.
Frank
TAFE SA
“The presenter was very engaging and his knowledge and experience within and outside government was valuable.”
Vicki
Department for Health and Ageing
“I thought Mark was a fabulous facilitator, clearly very knowledgeable and experienced in the content. Best training I've done in a long time.”
Catherine
DCSI
“The [work]book is a valuable resource that I will reference for each report I write.”
John
DCS
“I will now become more involved with the preparation of briefings and reports for my Director.”
Lynette
Office of the Training Advocate
“[When I return to work I will] stop being overwhelmed at having to write a report, use the techniques provided in the course to structure the report and work out timings for each of the components from start to finish.”
No organisation can do everything or be all things to all people. Strategy setting involves making choices about what an organisation will do and what it will not do. Strategies provide clear guidance about how an organisation will change and how its limited resources will be deployed. Strategic thinking is essential for all leaders and is necessary to create smart strategies and identify improvements. This course is ideal for those who are ready to take the lead in the workplace and advance their strategic thinking.
As well as expert input and resource manuals for future reference, here is an opportunity to work with colleagues across the public sector who are all tackling the same big challenges across 4 units:
Introduction to Supervision Management
Strategic Thinking
Managing Public Sector Budgets
Managing Your Project: An Introduction to Project Management
“Mark was one of the best trainers I have had in a very long time. I like how he has split this course over the two days - it really helped bed down the information and concepts. Nothing went over my head in technicality and I really liked the examples he used as they were all very relate-able.”
Ketrah
RAH Research Fund
“Regardless of people's current experience, everyone would gain some new understanding from this course and the way it's presented. “
Jo
Department of Human Services
“This course exceeded my expectations. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect but came away armed with a lot of new techniques to try.”
Ketrah
RAH Research Fund
I gained an understanding that all skills can be learned and that strategic thinking is actually very logical and easy to follow, not mysterious and complex. The trainer was brilliant at getting the concepts across and had an excellent understanding of the topic.”
Jo
Department of Human Services
“The facilitator delivered the course to the highest standard giving sound and relative context and examples which brought more meaning to the learning.”
No organisation can do everything or be all things to all people. Strategy setting involves making choices about what an organisation will do and what it will not do. Strategies provide clear guidance about how an organisation will change and how its limited resources will be deployed. Strategic thinking is essential for all leaders and is necessary to create smart strategies and identify improvements. This course is ideal for those who are ready to take the lead in the workplace and advance their strategic thinking.
“Mark was one of the best trainers I have had in a very long time. I like how he has split this course over the two days - it really helped bed down the information and concepts. Nothing went over my head in technicality and I really liked the examples he used as they were all very relate-able.”
Ketrah
RAH Research Fund
“Regardless of people's current experience, everyone would gain some new understanding from this course and the way it's presented. “
Jo
Department of Human Services
“This course exceeded my expectations. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect but came away armed with a lot of new techniques to try.”
Ketrah
RAH Research Fund
I gained an understanding that all skills can be learned and that strategic thinking is actually very logical and easy to follow, not mysterious and complex. The trainer was brilliant at getting the concepts across and had an excellent understanding of the topic.”
Jo
Department of Human Services
“The facilitator delivered the course to the highest standard giving sound and relative context and examples which brought more meaning to the learning.”
Do you want to have a positive, constructive, and evidence-based conversation with the community or your stakeholders?
During this course, you will explore the strategies and tools you can use to hear from and empower a diversity of voices. Learn how you can build social licence through trust to create positive engagement from all parties; from the media to the public and stakeholders.
How can you use data to make evidence-informed decisions? Learn the purpose of data analysis as well as a range of analytical techniques and applications. In addition to this, you will also gain an understanding of how to effectively present data to persuade and inform.
“What I learned will influence how I present data in future, especially using graphs and 'picto charts' most appropriately (not to overuse or misuse). I will be able to more effectively "tell a story with data" about what is truly happening; and am better equipped to assist decision makers to make better informed and more transparent decisions.”
Janetta
Department for Innovation and Skills
“Mark is so enthusiastic he makes a potentially dry topic enjoyable and interesting. It is great to be able to draw on the expertise of such an individual.”
Ceris
PIRSA
“I felt the explanations of the theoretical side was then applied to practical examples. This very much helped my learning of the material and illustrated the application of this knowledge in how it could be used in a real-life setting.”
Peter
South Australia Police
“My presentation and explanation of my data tables will be much improved.”
DHS
GRANTS SA
“I believe many people would get great benefit in undertaking this course. It is great for data people (those who analyse data in their work), but I believe it would also be useful to managers/decision makers in improving their understanding of how data analysis is done and where it comes from.”
Gain a thorough insight into the workings of government in Australia. The course focuses on the working of government, the Australian and South Australian political system, and the role of the public sector.
“I think this is a great overarching course to give a better idea to public sector employees about the political system. All public sector employees should do it!”
Runa
Department for Health and Wellbeing
“I now have a better understanding of how government works and the value of the work that I do.”
Sorell
Dept for Environment and Water
“I feel far more confident in discussing relevant aspects of government operations with stakeholders engaged with my organisation.”
Learn the key stages in the public policy process, and gain a clear understanding of the role of the public sector in policy development. This course is an essential introduction to public policy, particularly if you are working in government.
“Engagement from the tutor was wonderful. He was very knowledgeable and allowed the class to ask questions at any point during the course.”
