Empowering local councils through high-quality, accessible training

Whether you are a newly elected councillor, a clerk starting out on your journey, a seasoned councillor or an experienced officer looking to expand your skills, this platform is your gateway to professional growth and community impact. Our Development Frameworks for councillors and for officers (clerks, RFOs and employees) is designed to guide you through every stage of your role—from essential foundations to leadership excellence.

What you will find throughout the Framework:

• Structured learning pathways: Essentials, Intermediate, and Expert/Leader levels tailored to your experience and knowledge.
• Blended learning options: from in-person events, live webinars, and flexible e-learning modules.
• Practical resources: guides, videos, and reading materials to support your day-to-day responsibilities.
• Networking opportunities: join peer groups and share experiences through interactive workshops and in-person events.

• Essentials: for those new in role (usually 0 - 12 months).
• Intermediate: for those in role (usually 6 months - 2 years).
• Leader: for those with more experience and those aspiring to lead their councils
• Optional: training on specialised subjects to pick and choose from.​

Select a button below to view that part of the Framework

• Essentials: for those new in role (usually 0 - 12 months)
• Intermediate: for those in role (usually 6 months - 2 years)
• Expert: for those with more experience and wishing to be more accomplished
• Optional: training on specialised subjects to pick and choose from​

Select a button below to view that part of the Framework

Flexibility:

There's nothing to stop you taking training that sits in another part of the Framework. By selecting one of the buttons below you can view our whole training offer for councillors and officers and choose the courses that are right for you when you need them.

We are currently working on other elements of our Learning & Development programme including:

• Training Needs Analysis: to help identify what training you need

• Whole Council training: on requested subjects

• Local Council Awards: help in achieving awards for your council​

DAPTC operates the training programme in Dorset for CiLCA, considered the gold standard for professional clerks.

We'll also be producing some aids about attaining Continuous Professional Development Points (CPD Points).