Training Courses
General information about AEA courses
All courses are delivered by AEA accredited trainers with a wealth of experience as practitioners and who are up to date with current thinking and developing good practice. Many of the trainers have obtained AEA qualifications at Certificate or Diploma level.
Courses of 1, 2 and 4 days' duration are held at various locations across the country on a range of subjects. All courses provide delegates with knowledge and guidance on relevant legislation, procedures and good practice. They also provide opportunities for the exchange of experiences and ideas during group discussions. When attending most courses delegates will be provided with appropriate course notes and other documentation for future reference.
Foundation Course
The Foundation Course was launched in 2004 by the Qualifications Board as the entry level to the Qualification. It has become established as one of the leading sources of training in electoral administration in the country. The course, which is organised on a modular basis through the year, is primarily aimed at new entrants to the profession and at those staff wishing to undertake the Association's qualification. The course is also suitable for more experienced staff wishing to obtain a refresher in aspects of electoral administration. Persons completing the five modules receive a Certificate of Attendance and a copy of the following year’s Foundation Course manual. For those without the relevant work experience, it also qualifies them to register for the Certificate qualification.
The course is delivered in five 1 day modules at venues across the country. Further details and an application form can be viewed and downloaded here and a table of 2010 dates is here.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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Electoral Registration One-day Course 24th June - Leeds
This 1 day course, as well as considering options for undertaking the annual canvass, will consider good practice and guidance on methods for ensuring that as full a register as possible is produced. The new challenges presented by the future introduction of voluntary individual registration will also be considered and discussed. Other aspects that will be covered will include eligibility, elections during the canvass and publication and supply of registers. Click here for further details and an application form. |
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Electoral Registration Two-day Residential Course 22nd/23rd June - Newbury
This residential course will cover all aspects of electoral registration, including the annual canvass, monthly updates, special category electors and absent voting applications. The course is timed prior to the commencement of the annual canvass process in the Autumn and will provide all delegates with a detailed understanding of all the processes involved. Delegates will be updated on legislation and be provided with practical guidance and developing good practice. The new challenges presented by voluntary individual registration will also be considered and discussed. The course provides an opportunity to network with other administrators and share views, ideas and experiences. Click here for further details and an application form. |
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Election Accounts One-day Course 12th July - Andover
Once the dust has settled we will all need to submit Parliamentary election accounts within the prescribed time. This one-day course will take you step by step through the procedure to ensure:
Given recent police investigations into personal payments made to Returning Officers and Electoral Administrators it is essential that such payments are transparent and are justified by a clear audit trail. This issue will be discussed in detail and good practice shared so you don’t end up in the dock! Click here for further details and an application form. |
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Community Matters One-day Course 20th October 2010 This one-day course will be wide ranging, covering topics such as Community electoral arrangements, community reviews, councillors' qualifications, the differences between community council and other elections, community council casual vacancies, community meetings and community polls. Although many aspects of community elections will be covered, this course is not intended to cover the delivery of elections in great detail, as this is covered on other AEA courses. Click here for further details and an application form. |
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Performance Standards One-day Course 1st November 2010 Now that each Electoral Registration Officer's and Returning Officer's performance is measured by the Electoral Commission's standards it is important that action is taken to improve on existing levels where possible. This course will look at the generic tools and skills that cover all the standards and will then drill down to specific examples of good practice (in electoral registration and in elections) so that everyone may identify how to address weak areas and understand the types of evidence to be collected. Detailed course notes, including examples of good practice, will be provided. Click here for further details and an application form. |
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Electoral Administration Four-day Residential Course 29th November to 2nd December 2010 This is an intensive and comprehensive course, which will cover all aspects of election and electoral registration administration. Whereas all areas will be covered, it will not be specific to a particular type or combination of elections. It will provide the opportunity to clarify the law and in particular recent changes, consider practical issues in the registration of electors and absent voting, discuss the publication, inspection and supply of registers, study the nomination process and examine the qualifications of candidates, consider forward planning in the conduct of elections, including staff arrangements, examine different methods of counting and look in detail at the count process, and encourage a general exchange of ideas and good practice. Click here for further details and an application form. |
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Elections (and Referendums) 2011 One-day Course 10th January - Camden This one-day course will focus on the key points to be considered to ensure the efficient and effective organisation of elections in 2011. As such it is intended as a refresher for experienced administrators. It will provide a good overview for less experienced staff including those with a managerial responsibility for the service. All the main election procedures will be covered, in addition to any new or topical arrangements – including a possible referendum on the same day - and a detailed programme will be finalised and circulated before the event. Click here for further details and an application form. |