APAC offers management training for public sector professionals. We serve current and future leaders in government and nonprofits. Our programs are in-depth and develop practical skills. We hire talented instructors who are content experts. They train using best practices in adult learning.
We offer a variety of training and certification programs. You can register individually for the programs that meet your professional goals. Each program includes participants from different backgrounds. You will develop new professional relationships and learn best practices from across the public sector.
In addition, we develop training programs specifically for organizations and agencies. Contact us if you work in the public sector and have a management training need.
APAC Programs Open for Registration
2023 Planning Official Training Courses
Planning Official Trainings are for Arkansas Planning Commissions and individuals that work with those Commissions. Attendees include Planning Commissioners, Board of Zoning Adjustment members, Mayors, Fire Chiefs, city planners, and anyone else that wants to learn more about the work of Arkansas Planning Commissions.
The curriculum is developed and instructed by experienced Arkansas planners. Six courses are offered. Each course is 3-hours long and held live online using Zoom. These courses are interactive and include case studies, a mock Planning Commission Meeting, quizzes on content, Q&A, and discussion.
This series of planning official training courses will be held monthly on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 pm between June and November 2023. You are welcome to take one course, a few of the courses, or all six courses.
Course Fee:
$65 per course per participant
2023 Certified Public Manager® Program
The Arkansas Certified Public Manager® (CPM) Program refines the management skills of emerging leaders for the public sector. This includes government employees (federal, state, county, and city), elected officials, and non-profit professionals. It is ideally suited for individuals who have some experience managing staff and/or programs or who would like to do so in the near future.
APPLY HERE to join the 2023 cohort.
Applications will be accepted until July 28. The program orientation and first workshop for newly admitted participants will take place in Little Rock on Wednesday, August 30 and Thursday, August 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.
This two-year program, accredited by the National CPM Consortium, has a long history of providing excellent management training to public servants in Arkansas. The program requires 300 hours of management development including:
- Skill-building workshops
- Activities that apply learning to current public challenges
- Person-specific professional development
The curriculum is based on seven competencies outlined by the National CPM Consortium that enable public managers to effectively lead people, manage work processes, and develop self-mastery. Participants are introduced to additional knowledge and skills to expand their vision, meet unexpected challenges, increase performance, set and achieve goals, and navigate the changing dynamics in the public sector.
More information is available in this program overview.
Fall 2023 Certified Volunteer Manager Program
The Certified Volunteer Manager (CVM) Program teaches the leadership and management skills required of volunteer professionals including:
- Recruiting, placing, supporting, supervising, engaging, and recognizing volunteers.
- Creating policies and procedures that reduce volunteer program risks and liabilities.
- Assessing the outcomes and achievements of a volunteer program.
- Aligning a volunteer program with an organization’s mission and goals.
The 2023 program is completed over 6-months from October 2023 to March 2024 and requires approximately 80-hours of time. It immerses participants into the subject matter at a training retreat. The retreat is taught by experts in the field using engaged learning practices. Professional relationships with other volunteer managers are built during this time. Assignment work accomplished online before and after the retreat focuses on applying what is being learned.
Learn more and register online HERE!
APAC Program Descriptions
To meet your needs, APAC currently offers the following certificate and training programs.
- Arkansas Certified Public Manager® (CPM) Program – A nationally accredited, comprehensive program designed for middle managers in the public sector. The program develops skilled leaders, fosters collaboration, and encourages innovation through action.
- Certified Volunteer Manager (CVM) Program – Teaches managers of volunteer programs how to effectively lead their volunteer staff.
- Certified Arkansas Planning Official (CARPO) Program – Offered in partnership with the Arkansas Chapter of the American Planning Association, this program focuses on training individuals that work with city planning commissions.
- Certified Group Facilitator Program – Teaches participants how to effectively facilitate groups to make good decisions, resolve conflict, solve problems, and meet goals.
- Planning Official Training Programs – Topics include city planning, zoning, application review, meeting management, and ethics.
- Professional Development Workshops – For public sector professionals interested in developing specific management skills. Examples include Presentation Skills, Conflict Management, Emotional Intelligence, Project Management, and Program Evaluation.
About APAC
APAC is dedicated to improving the quality of public services in Arkansas. This work is accomplished through management training for public and nonprofit agencies and organizations. APAC is a cooperative program of the University of Arkansas Little Rock (UA Little Rock), the University of Arkansas (UA), and Arkansas State University (ASU).
Contact Us
Please reach out if you have questions.
- Email: apacprog@ualr.edu
- Phone: (501) 916-6050
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You can join our mailing list by completing this Google form. You will receive program updates and registration information as soon as it becomes available.
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