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January / February 2010
Volume 22, Number 1

News you can use

TAC Developing Management Training Curriculum for Counties

After identifying opportunities to improve and build on its services to counties, TAC is developing educational training modules geared toward helping mid-level supervisors and up-andcoming managers learn leadership skills.

The decision to develop the modules was the result of feedback provided by managers, department heads and elected officials. The initiative stemmed from a 2009 survey of participants who attended TAC’s regional Human Resource workshops.

“We recognize that county government is experiencing economic hardship and through this survey we wanted to identify ways to assist our counties in a responsible manner,” said TAC Field Services Director Mike Strawn. “Building management personnel competencies will be a part of the many services we offer to members.”

According to the survey results, about 75 percent of counties said they wanted more training opportunities. Suggested topics included customer service, workplace ethics, strategic planning, organization skills, stress management, sexual harassment awareness, workplace violence awareness, employee performance management, conflict management, presentation skills, listening skills and education on county related issues. More than 60 percent of responders prioritized supervisor and management skills as the most important training program they would like to see developed.

“In many counties, exceptional employees are promoted to managers, but they have no management training except for how they’ve been managed themselves in the past,” said TAC Field Representative Lori Wiggins.

Though the curriculum is still being developed, the Field Services team expects to incorporate the training modules into its 2010 regional workshops, which will also cover human resource information and loss control issues. Field Services team members will also present the workshops on a county-by-county basis in an effort to continue assisting members who have limited funds available for personnel professional development.