Home » Empowerment through training

Empowerment through training

Empowering Local Government through in-house engagement training.

Practical, customisable training that builds confidence, connection and capability across your team.

In today’s complex and ever-evolving environment, local government plays a pivotal role in shaping inclusive, connected communities. Engagement is central to this. It’s how trust is built, how voices are heard, and how meaningful decisions are made. But great engagement doesn’t just happen — it’s a skill that needs to be learned, practised and refined.

That’s where the Engagement Institute’s (formerly IAP2 Australasia) in-house training steps in.

As the trusted home of engagement professionals across Australia and New Zealand, the Engagement Institute delivers expert-led training directly to your team, in-person or virtually, tailored to your real-world challenges. Whether you’re supporting place-based planning, infrastructure development, regulatory reform or community wellbeing, we help your people build the tools and confidence to engage with integrity and impact.

Customised, cost-effective and built around you

Our in-house training is designed specifically for organisations like yours. We don’t deliver one-size-fits-all solutions. Every program is shaped to your needs — using your case studies, aligning with your strategic goals, and supporting the skillsets that matter most to your team.

This tailored approach makes it ideal for local government teams working across planning, communications, governance, environment, infrastructure and community development. We work with you to select the most relevant modules, design the learning experience, and deliver a session that’s energising, inclusive and immediately useful.

With a minimum of just 10 participants, in-house training is a smart, cost-effective way to upskill entire teams, eliminate travel costs, and foster a consistent culture of best practice engagement. Training can be delivered on-site or online, wherever your team is based — including regional and remote areas.

Expert trainers, real-world outcomes

Facilitated by licensed trainers with deep engagement expertise, each course is grounded in practice and focused on outcomes. Sessions blend clear theory with hands-on activities, ensuring participants leave with practical tools, frameworks, and strategies they can apply straight away.

From foundational courses like Essentials of Engagement to specialist topics including conflict resolution, data for engagement, facilitation skills, and influencing, there’s a course to suit every level of experience. More advanced teams can deepen their skills with leadership-focused modules on navigating complexity, managing outrage and building strategic frameworks.

All courses contribute towards the IAP 2Australasia Certificate of Engagement — the gold standard for engagement professionals across Australasia. This not only supports professional growth but also builds organisational capability and consistency.

Stronger teams. Better engagement. More confident communities.

When councils invest in engagement capability, the ripple effect is powerful. Your team becomes more confident and aligned. Your processes become more inclusive and transparent. And your communities feel genuinely heard and respected.

In-house training with the Engagement Institute is more than a learning opportunity — it’s an investment in people, purpose and performance.

Let’s build engagement that matters. Together.

Ready to bring engagement training to your team?

Reach out for a customised proposal at sales@engagementinstitute.org.au or visit engagementinstitute.org.au/training/in-house-training for more information.

Digital Editions


  • Planning for the future

    Planning for the future

    Cowes Primary School students brought plenty of energy and curiosity to Berninneit Cultural Centre in mid-October for a special Meet the Mayor visit as part…

More News

  • New president meets PM

    New president meets PM

    Newly elected Local Government NSW (LGNSW) of president Mayor Darcy Byrne has wasted no time in advocating for councils across the State, heading to Canberra to meet with Prime Minister…

  • Greater action called during 16 Days of Activism

    Greater action called during 16 Days of Activism

    Hobsons Bay City Council is calling on the Victorian state government to take greater action to address gender-based violence in the municipality. As part of the global 16 Days of…

  • Light and Lollies in Kwinana

    Light and Lollies in Kwinana

    The City of Kwinana is delighted to launch its first Christmas Lights Trail in the lead up to the 71st Lolly Run. Mayor Peter Feasey said houses lit up for…

  • Barnaby Joyce leaves the Nationals

    Barnaby Joyce leaves the Nationals

    Former Federal member of the National Party and one-time Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce has resigned from the National Party. He announced his resignation in a statement issued this afternoon…

  • New fire station for Albany

    New fire station for Albany

    A new purpose-built fire station has opened in Kalgan, giving the Kalgan Bush Fire Brigade a modern facility to support its growing membership and emergency response capability. The project was…

  • Golden haul for Bendigo

    Golden haul for Bendigo

    The City of Greater Bendigo took out gold in the Local Government Award for Tourism at the prestigious 2025 Victorian Tourism Awards, cementing its position as a leader in delivering…

  • New leadership group for Latrobe

    New leadership group for Latrobe

    Latrobe City Council elected its new Mayor and Deputy Mayor with Councillor Sharon Gibson as Mayor along with Councillor Dale Harriman as Deputy Mayor for the next twelve months. Mayor…

  • CMA backs Dr McGirr’s Rural Health Action Plan

    CMA backs Dr McGirr’s Rural Health Action Plan

    Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman Mayor Rick Firman OAM and his Board have thrown their weight behind a ‘pragmatic and practical’ new plan for rural health in NSW,…

  • Christmas comes early to Katherine

    Christmas comes early to Katherine

    Christmas has come early for the Katherine community, with the Northern Territory Government delivering two much-loved people-mover trains to join the popular ‘K-Town Express’ Christmas light tour. After delighting visitors…

  • Let’s stick together

    Let’s stick together

    The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) and Local Government New South Wales (LGNSW) have a strong and mutually supportive relationship, according to CMA Chairman Mayor Rick Firman OAM. He…