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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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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Parish Matters One day course 15th November - Manchester This one day course will be wide ranging, covering topics such as parish electoral arrangements, parish reviews, councillors qualifications, the differences between parish council and other elections, parish council casual vacancies, parish meetings and parish polls. Although many aspects of parish 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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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. |
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New Returning Officers Half-day Course 21st January - Camden Anyone newly appointed as Returning Officer is ultimately responsible for the proper conduct of the election. Do they fully understand the personal responsibility and liability they hold? These sessions (delivered by John Turner and/or John Owen) will be limited to small groups for 3-4 hours and are aimed at the Chief Executive level who may wish to be accompanied by the Electoral Services Manager and/or DROs. The programme will take attendees through their legal and procedural responsibilities as well as providing practical advice and guidance on potential problems that may arise. Both Johns have a wealth of experience of all types of elections at a high level. Click here for further details and an application form. |
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Train the Trainer One-day course 4th February - Camden This one day course offers guidance and advice to both experienced and inexperienced staff involved in preparing and delivering training and briefing sessions to election staff. The course will be delivered by two AEA accredited trainers experienced in delivering staff training. It will provide practical guidance on how to prepare and deliver training sessions in such a way as to ensure that attendees understand their tasks and duties, including key messages. Click here for further details and an application form. |
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Election Accounts One-day course 21st February - Camden 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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Postal Vote Opening 2011 One-day Workshop 24th February - Manchester This course will cover the important and potentially complex subject of postal vote opening. It will be run in the form of a workshop as it will take attendees through practical scenarios that may be faced during opening sessions. The legislative and procedural requirements will all be covered along with the possibility of a combined poll/referendum. Click here for further details and an application form. |
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Verification and Count 2011 One-day course 4th March - Cambourne This is a detailed course, which deals with these two crucial exercises and highlights the key points for consideration and resolution. Getting this bit right is vital and well worth spending time looking at the detail of the work involved. Whether you opt for a Thursday night or Friday count you need to manage expectations and plan meticulously. Mini-counts, the impact of postal votes, dealing with awkward customers, adjudicating on doubtful ballot papers and declaring the correct result will all be covered. It will also deal with the complexities and possible problems that arise when polls are combined. Click here for further details and an application form. |
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Annual Canvass 2011 One-day Course 17th June - Leeds This 1 day course, as well as considering options for undertaking annual canvass procedures, 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 electoral registration will also be considered and discussed. Other aspects that will be covered will include eligibility, objections and reviews, anonymous registration and publication and supply of registers. Click here for further details and an application form. |