Requirements for APWA national approval of an Institute:

• Core Topic Areas
  

  National approval is based on participants receiving instruction in the 11 core units shown on the below. Institutes have the discretion to decide what content to deliver from a range of topics listed under each core unit. It is not required that Institutes cover all topics under each core unit, but consider the topics as a guidance tool. Local, regional and state responsibilities may warrant additional sub-units be included by the Chapter.
  
  Public Works Institute (PWI) Template – Effective January 2014

  • Unit 1: Supervisory Techniques and Skills
  • Role of the supervisor
  • Selecting new employees
  • Training new employees
  • Motivating employees
  • Problem employees
  • Performance feedback
  • Managing workplace stress
  • Time management
  • Conflict management
  • Organizational culture
  • Workplace safety
  • Effective crew scheduling
  • Labor management relations (non-union)
  • Unit 2: Basic Management Skills
  • Basic management skills
  • Delegation and empowerment of employees
  • Understanding of line-staff roles and relationships
  • Basic organizational design
  • Introduction to public works process
  • Information and records management
  • >Creating action plans
  • Maintenance management systems
  • Negotiation skills
  • Unit 3: Communications Skills
  • Conducting effective meetings
  • Formal and informal business communication (including listening skills)
  • Business letters
  • Report writing
  • Presentation skills
  • Understanding generational differences
  • Unit 4: Leadership Skills
  • Leadership core competencies
  • Leadership styles
  • Team development
  • Ethics
  • Defining excellence
  • Developing a personal leadership strategy
  • Embracing and executing change
  • Creating a learning organization
  • Unit 5: Community Service/Customer Orientation Skills
  • Customer service
  • Dealing with internal and external customers
  • Community diversity and service
  • Public relations
  • Media relations
  • Social media
  • Unit 6: Impact of Law on Public Works
  • General legal issues
  • Employment law
  • Liability and public works
  • Unit 7: Fundamentals of Government
  • Historical foundation/value of public works
  • Forms and functions of local governments
  • The regulatory process
  • Roles of local, state, provincial, and federal legislative – executive bodies
  • How Public Works fits into local government
  • Unit 8: Finance
  • Finance and budgeting
  • Alternative funding strategies
  • Asset management
  • Purchasing/inventory management
  • Unit 9: Resource Management Skills
  • Creative decision making
  • Basic project management
  • Contracting/bidding
  • Consultant management
  • Organizational self-assessment
  • APWA Accreditation
  • Unit 10: Overview of Public Works Operations

  Provide broad understanding of public works operations and how they are integrated. Recommended reference: APWA’s Public Works Management Practices Manual

  • Transportation
  • Right-of-way/utility/one-call
  • Solid waste management
  • Emergency management
  • Facilities and grounds
  • Potable water
  • Wastewater
  • Stormwater/flood management master plan
  • Engineering and technology
  • Equipment and fleet management
  • Unit 11: Creating the Future
  • Strategic planning
  • Policy development and implementation
  • Creating and growing sustainable communities
  • Leveraging resources with other entities
  • Systems thinking within public works
  • Data based decision making in public works
  • Succession planning

• Institute Length
  

  The minimum accepted length of an institute is 90 podium or educational classroom contact hours. The format and breakdown of the educational hours can vary and are the development responsibility of the chapter designing the institute. Individuals enrolled in an institute will have six years to complete the institute program.

• Assessment/Testing
  

  Examinations and/or testing are not required for national institute approval. The Chapter has the flexibility to develop and implement an assessment tool at the completion of their course, but are encouraged to create and track some type of assessment or examination to quantify the progress and quality of experience of individuals enrolled in an institute.

• Experience or Education
  

  No minimum experience or education level is required for national institute approval.

• Delivery Method
  

  The Chapter has the flexibility to determine the delivery format for their Institute.

• Hours of Classroom Instruction
  

  Institutes must contain a minimum of 90 hours of instruction in order to meet the nationally-approved template requirement.

• Instructor Standards
  

  The Chapter has the flexibility to obtain suitable instructors for their particular audience. It is recommended that instructors have a range of experience in public works and Chapters evaluate instructors on a regular basis. Chapters are encouraged to support continued instructor development and provide feedback on evaluation results

• Ongoing Program Evaluation
  

  Each Institute will provide National with a brief annual report summarizing at a minimum: number of attendees, roster of graduates and dates training took place. It is recommended that Institutes also include in the annual report: topics delivered, course rosters, list of instructors, evaluation summary (when available) and future Institute dates and schedules (when available).

• Continuing Education
  

  A chapter’s education chair or institute point-of-contact can apply for continuing education credit (CEUs or PDHs) for an approved institute if it meets the criteria required of all chapter educational events:

• Is a chapter-sponsored event
• Relates to public works
• Includes all of the required application information

How will my chapter benefit from offering an Institute program?

Offering an institute program can benefit your chapter in several ways:

• Training a new generation of leaders and managers for the agencies located in your area
• Increasing the visibility and membership of your chapter
• Producing additional revenue for your chapter 

How much time will it take?

Offering a chapter institute program requires a large commitment from your chapter. It is highly recommended you identify an ongoing steering/planning committee to oversee the program. Responsibilities of the committee could include: identification of content and speakers each year; marketing and recruitment of attendees; review and discussion of evaluation results; and on-site appearances at institute meetings.

How much will it cost my chapter?

Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate regional and cultural needs were a priority for the Public Works Institute Task Force. Therefore, as long as chapters address the 10 core areas of study and provide a minimum of 90 educational classroom contact hours of instruction, they have the flexibility to tailor the program to fit their specific needs. A Steering/Planning Committee is proposed to oversee and verify the institute objectives are met. Chapters will have the ability to determine the scheduling and emphasis of the core areas of study, registration fees, higher education affiliations/sponsorships, and the use of self-assessment tools and examinations. Fee determination associated with the Institute will be the responsibility of the chapter.

What is the process for an Institute to get approved by National?

Click here for details about applying for national approval.

What resources are available to chapters hosting an APWA nationally-approved Institute?

Approved institutes have access to a collection of curriculum resources and templates. These resources are available in MyAPWA when you login.

Who can I contact if I still have questions or need help getting started?

For questions or concerns please contact us at PWI@apwa.net or 800-848-2792.