Submitted by Candice Heyward, Director of Training and Professional Development, The League
Creating a training program for municipal officials can be uniquely challenging due to the wide range of roles, responsibilities, and experience levels among participants. Municipalities vary greatly in size, resources, and governance structures, which means a one-size-fits-all approach often falls short. Additionally, elected officials may have limited availability and come from diverse professional backgrounds, requiring content that is both accessible and highly relevant. Balancing legal and procedural accuracy with practical, real-world application is essential—yet complex. Moreover, training must stay up to date with evolving laws, technologies, and community expectations, making the development process an ongoing, adaptive effort. In response to the evolving challenges facing communities today, The League stepped up to the plate with the launching of the League Learning Academy – a dynamic new training initiative aimed at strengthening the leadership capacity of local government officials.
This program is designed to provide practical, high-impact training in areas such as ethical governance, community engagement, policy development, budgeting, and digital innovation. With an emphasis on real-world application, the League Learning Academy seeks to ensure that local leaders are well-equipped to navigate complex issues and drive positive change in their communities.
Local government plays a critical role in the everyday lives of residents. Through targeted training and continuous professional development, we can empower officials to make informed decisions, lead with integrity, and build stronger, more resilient communities. The League Learning Academy offers a mix of both live and self-led courses tailored to meet the needs of both new and experienced officials. By fostering a culture of learning and collaboration, the initiative supports long-term improvements in local governance and public service delivery.
In today’s rapidly changing landscape, training is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. The League Learning Academy is committed to investing in the people who lead our communities, ensuring they have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to serve effectively. Local government officials juggle numerous roles — policy‑maker, administrator, budget manager, and community liaison — often with limited resources. Without adequate training, even well-intentioned officials may struggle to match rising public expectations or adapt to new challenges.
By investing in the development of local leaders, the League Learning Academy helps ensure decisions are informed, ethical, and aligned with community needs. It also establishes a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration across municipalities.
To accommodate the many facets of local government, the Academy is structured into several thematic “tracks”:
- Management: Covers leadership styles, strategic planning, performance management, intergovernmental relations, crisis response, and more.
- Administrative: Focuses on municipal structures, recordkeeping, meeting processes, communications, and internal procedure development.
- Finance: Teaches basics of public budgeting, revenue sources, expenditure control, financial reporting, auditing, and capital planning.
Some of the upcoming courses include:
- Public Procurement & Bidding Essentials for Municipal Officials — October 21–22
- Write to Win: Grant Writing for Local Government — November 5
- Municipal HR Best Practices — November 18–19
- Elected Auditors Masterclass: From Fundamentals to Excellence — December 9–10
To learn more, register for courses, or stay updated on the latest training offerings:
https://www.pml.org/training-development/league-learning-academy/
Phone: (717) 236‑9469, then press 2
Email: LLA@pml.org
Article from the October 2025 Municipal Reporter | 125th Anniversary Edition
