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Essential Trainings

Elevate your impact with the Essential Training Series! Whether you're preparing for your role in Extension or enhancing your skills in communication, conflict resolution, and volunteer management, these sessions are designed to help you succeed and grow in your career.

AP Essential Training - In Person

For Academic Professionals
bridge between wooden blocks
  • Who: Academic Professionals in Unit Offices (e.g., Educators, Outreach Associates, County Directors). Supervisors may also send civil service staff when it benefits the unit or career development.
  • What: The Academic Professional Essential Training Series (APETS) is a four-part series designed to prepare AP field staff for their roles in Extension. Topics include:
    1. Program Planning and Assessment
    2. Community Engagement
    3. Facilitation
    4. Learning Innovations
  • When: Each topic is covered quarterly, following the 2-day New Staff Orientation.
  • Completion: It is recommended that all four quarterly sessions be completed within two years of employment.
  • Where: Sessions take place at the I Hotel & Illinois Conference Center in Champaign.


Upcoming Dates:
 

2025 Training Dates

2026 Training Dates

February 20

Program Planning and Evaluation

February 12*

Program Planning and Evaluation

May 22

Community Engagement

May 14*

Community Engagement

August 28

Meeting Facilitation 

August 27*

Meeting Facilitation

December 18

Learning Innovations

December 10*

Learning Innovations

Click the date to access the registration.

*Tentative APETS dates.

Make travel plans with your local office in advance.

EPC Essential Training - In Person

For Extension Program Coordinators
wooden figures giving high five
  • Who: EPCs who manage volunteers. Supervisors determine if this training aligns with specific EPC roles. Staff who have completed onboarding or been with Extension for over a year may attend with Unit Director approval.
  • What: This training equips EPCs with skills in communication, conflict resolution, onboarding volunteers, and volunteer management systems. It also covers meeting facilitation and group dynamics and provides a year-at-a-glance for 4-H, NREE, and AAB programs.
  • When: Sessions will follow February and August New Staff Orientations.
  • Completion: Within the first six months of employment.
  • Where: Sessions take place at the I Hotel & Illinois Conference Center in Champaign.
     

Upcoming dates:
 

2025 Training Dates

2026 Training Dates

February 20

February 12*

August 28

August 27*

Click the date to access the registration.

*Tentative EPC Essential Training dates.

Make travel plans with your local office in advance.

We're here to help.

Amanda Taylor

Amanda Taylor

Associate Director, Workforce Development
Keywords
Professional Development CEU CPDU
College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Illinois Extension

101 Mumford Hall (MC-710)

1301 W. Gregory Dr.

Urbana, IL 61801

Email: extension@illinois.edu

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