Power Learning Series – Bite-Sized Learning for Busy HR Professional
Power Learning Series, launching in June 2025, is a new way to grow your skills without the time commitment of a full course.
These short, high-impact virtual courses are designed specifically for public sector HR professionals like you. Spread across 2–3 weeks and totaling just 3–4 hours, each Power Learning Series offers:
✅ Focused, relevant topics
✅ Flexible virtual sessions
✅ Real-world application for the public sector
✅ Expert PSHRA instructors
This series is interactive, incorporates case studies, discussions, and practical applications.
Whether you need a refresher or want to explore a new topic, these sessions are the perfect fit for your busy schedule.
Topics Include:
- Compensation Essentials - Learners will explore the foundational components of public sector compensation: compensation elements and strategy, labor market assessment, and internal equity. Appropriate and fair compensation directly impacts employee attraction, retention, motivation, and productivity. A well-structured compensation system that aligns with the organization’s goals helps maintain fiscal responsibility and promotes fair and equitable pay. The course will be delivered over three-weeks with one-hour weekly online sessions. Join our interest list to be notified when our next offering is available.
- Strategic Compensation Planning & Management - Learners will explore the intermediate principles underlying sound performance and rewards management. It will then identify alternative strategies, programs and evaluate their effectiveness in different environments. The course will be delivered over three-weeks with one-hour sessions per week.
- Fair & Effective Workplace Investigations – Learners will explore the full investigation process from intake to reporting, with a focus on balancing legal, ethical, and organizational considerations. Participants will gain tools to plan, conduct, and document investigations with fairness, consistency, and clarity. The content will be delivered through a realistic and engaging case study. The course will be delivered over three-weeks with one-hour weekly online sessions. Join our interest list to be notified when our next offering is available.
- HR Analytics for the Public Sector – Learners will be equipped with fundamental skills in strategic HR analytics and data storytelling. The first session introduces key concepts such as metrics, analytics, and ROI and guides learners in identifying the “right question” to explore through data. The second session focuses on formulating a hypothesis, understanding correlation vs. causation, and structuring an HR analytics project using real-world examples. The final session emphasizes communicating analytical findings effectively through storytelling, visualizations, and ROI presentations to influence decision-makers and drive strategic change. Together, these sessions equip learners to use data to solve real HR problems and advocate for impactful interventions. The course will be delivered over three-weeks with one-hour weekly online sessions.
- Gen Clash or Gen Connect? How to Build a Unified Workforce – From Traditionalists to Gen Z, learners will gain practical insights and strategies to attract talent from a complex workforce, foster teamwork, mutual respect, and collective success in your public sector organization. Our Power Series Session will explore trends and discuss alternative plans for Attracting, Leading and Engaging a Multi-Generational Workforce. This learning event will include contemporary images illustrating the various attributes of the various generations, workforce generational trends, bias recognition and management, active listening, empathic communications, desires for each generation, and best-practice solutions for attracting, engaging, rewarding, and retaining top, multi-generational talent. This session will include several opportunities for general discussions in this virtual lecture room and in breakout sessions to share ideas about talent attraction, retention, engagement, succession planning, performance management and development. The course will be delivered over 2.5 weeks with one-hour weekly online sessions.
- Leading Change in the Public Sector: HR as a Catalyst for Transformation Change is inevitable — but successful change requires intention, understanding, and leadership. This interactive course equips HR professionals and public sector leaders with the tools and confidence to guide their organizations through change with empathy, strategy, and impact. Facilitated by Dr. Jennifer Fairweather, CHRO of Jefferson County, this program explores the psychology, process, and practice of organizational change within government and public service contexts. Participants will engage in real-world case studies, group discussions, and hands-on exercises designed to strengthen HR’s role as a trusted advisor and champion of sustainable transformation. The course will be delivered over three-weeks with one-hour weekly online sessions.
- Policy and Practices: Building Equitable and Engaging Work Policies – Learners will be provided practical strategies and tools for managing remote, hybrid, and flexible work arrangements within the framework of public service. They will explore policy development, performance management, legal considerations (ADA, FMLA, FLSA), employee engagement, and strategies for equitable implementation across roles and departments. The course will be delivered over three-weeks with one-hour weekly online sessions.
- Solving Employee Relations Issues Before They Move to Litigation – Learners will explore the best ways to implement a coaching for success program and to prepare all levels of your organization leadership for proactive resolution of all levels of employee relations issues before they exacerbate and begun the foundation for employee vs. employer litigation. The course will be delivered over three-weeks with one-hour weekly online sessions.
- Values Based Decision Making – Learners will explore how to clearly articulate a set of shared values that can guide HR leaders through ambiguity, conflict, and tough choices. Participants will engage with real-world scenarios to practice clarifying and using values to navigate complex situations while reinforcing trust and credibility across the organization. The course will be delivered over three-weeks with one-hour weekly online sessions.
Course Price: Member -$399; Non-Member -$499
Additional details:
- After registering, you will receive a confirmation email advising you how to login.
- The course will open for review one day before the start date.
- Course registration fees must be paid in full to access it or your enrollment will be cancelled.
Please be sure to review the PSHRA's Professional Development Course Cancellation Policy prior to enrollment.
PSHRA Course Interest List: Would you like to register for a future course? Please add your name to our PSHRA Course Interest List and we will notify you when courses are available.
Recertification Points: PSHRA-5 and HRCI-5
Making public sector work better®
Upcoming Courses
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Includes Credits
This class will start on November 12, 2025 and end on November 25, 2025
Welcome!
Thank you for your Power Learning Series registration. We are so excited you have looked to PSHRA® to help you grow in your career.
The Power Learning Series offers you a new way to grow your skills without the time commitment of a full course.
In this course, learners will explore the full investigation process from intake to reporting, with a focus on balancing legal, ethical, and organizational considerations. Participants will gain tools to plan, conduct, and document investigations with fairness, consistency, and clarity. The content will be delivered through a realistic and engaging case study.
Learners will gain the skills to conduct fair and effective workplace investigations. The course will be delivered over three-weeks with one-hour weekly online meetings.
Recertification Points: PSHRA-5 and HRCI-5
Don’t hesitate to contact us - PSHRA – Debbie Tankersely-Snook, Associate Director, Member Programs, Membership - meetings@pshra.org.
Making public sector work better®.
Course Syllabus
Learners will explore the legal frameworks, policy development, and best practices for managing remote, hybrid, and flexible work in the public sector.
Overview
As work environments continue to evolve, public sector HR professionals are at the forefront of navigating flexible work arrangements, balancing legal compliance, and fostering engagement and culture. This 3-week virtual course will provide a comprehensive overview of the legal frameworks, policy development, and best practices for managing remote, hybrid, and flexible work in the public sector.
Course Schedule
- Week 1: Evolving the Workplace & Legal Foundations
- Week 2: Policy Development & Equity Considerations
- Week 3: Engagement, Performance & Culture
Format:
- Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT)
- 1-hour live session per week
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define remote, hybrid, and flexible work in the public sector context
- Identify key legal considerations (FLSA, ADA, FMLA) in flexible work arrangements
- Develop equitable and effective flexible work policies
- Support managers and supervisors in policy implementation
- Foster employee engagement and sustain organizational culture in hybrid environments
Weekly Breakdown
Week 1: Evolving the Workplace & Legal Foundations
- Explore how the public sector workplace has changed since 2020
- Define remote, hybrid, and flexible work arrangements
- Review legal frameworks: FLSA, ADA, FMLA
- Discuss challenges and opportunities in balancing flexibility with compliance
Week 2: Policy Development & Equity Considerations
- Identify essential components of effective flexible work policies
- Learn a step-by-step process for policy development and pilot-testing
- Examine equity considerations in access and implementation
- Share best practices and practical examples from the field
Week 3: Engagement, Performance & Culture
- Strategies to engage and motivate employees across flexible work settings
- Tools and approaches for managing performance remotely
- Techniques for sustaining organizational culture in distributed teams
- Discuss real-world solutions and personal strategies
Course Materials
- Weekly slide decks (provided)
- Additional resources (articles, templates) shared during sessions (if applicable)
The course will be delivered over three-weeks with 3 one-hour weekly online meetings.
Please let us know if you run into any problems or have questions as soon as possible. We want to make sure you are to have the best possible learning experience.
All your course materials will be found on your course dashboard.
Meetings:
- Course Meetings take place in Zoom Events – You will receive your Individual Zoom Link before the course starts.
Course Design:
The course will be delivered over three-weeks with three one-hour sessions per week. You will receive details about the dates, times, and the URL for your course meetings
Time Commitment:
Plan for 1 hour for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for course meetings. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the course meeting to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans. All course materials are included on your course dashboard (no textbook is required).
Course Meeting Session Schedule (subject to change):
- Start Date: 11/12/2025
- Completion Date: 11/25/2025
- Meeting 1: 11/12/2025 - 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET
- Meeting 2: 11/18/2025 - 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET
- Meeting 3: 11/25/2025 - 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET
Certificate of Attendance: You will earn a Certificate of Completion upon completion of the course.
Cancellation Policy: Professional Development Cancelation Policy
Recertification Points: PSHRA-5 and HRCI-5
Making public sector work better®.
Shelvia Ashford
Shelvia Ashford is the Senior Employee Relations Consultant at Wake County. With 20 years of experience in Human Resources, primarily within state and local government. Shelvia is a dedicated HR leader, trainer, and consultant. She also serves as a trainer with the National Public Sector Human Resources Association (PSHRA), contributing her expertise to the development of HR professionals nationwide. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors for the NCPSHRA (North Carolina Public Sector Human Resources Association).
Shelvia holds a master’s degree in human resource management from Western Carolina University (2024) and a bachelor’s in business administration and organizational development from Mount Olive College (2013). She is highly credentialed and has earned several industry-recognized certifications, including:
Certifications & Credentials
- PSHRA-SCP (Senior Certified Professional) – Public Sector Human Resources Association
- PSHRA Public Sector Executive Leadership Instructor
- Certified Executive Leadership
- NC Notary
She is the owner of the recently started business, “Led to Lead LLC, a professional development company founded in 2023. Led to Lead provides the necessary tools and resources for employees or individuals so that they may be effective & successful in their roles.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Shelvia enjoys traveling, relaxing at the beach, building relationships, and spending quality time with family.
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Includes Credits
This class will start on November 3, 2025 and end on November 19, 2025
Welcome!
Thank you for your Power Learning Series registration. We are so excited you have looked to PSHRA® to help you grow in your career.
The Power Learning Series offers you a new way to grow your skills without the time commitment of a full course.
In this course learners will explore the foundational components of public sector compensation: compensation elements and strategy, labor market assessment, and internal equity. Appropriate and fair compensation directly impacts employee attraction, retention, motivation, and productivity. A well-structured compensation system that aligns with the organization’s goals helps maintain fiscal responsibility and promotes fair and equitable pay.
The course will be delivered over 3 weeks with one-hour weekly online meetings.
Recertification Points: PSHRA-5 and HRCI-Coming Soon!
Don’t hesitate to contact us - PSHRA – Debbie Tankersely-Snook, Associate Director, Member Programs, Membership - meetings@pshra.org.
Making public sector work better®.
Course Syllabus
Course Description
Learners will explore the foundational components of public sector compensation: compensation elements and strategy, labor market assessment, and internal equity. Appropriate and fair compensation directly impacts employee attraction, retention, motivation, and productivity. A well-structured compensation system that aligns with the organization’s goals helps maintain fiscal responsibility and promotes fair and equitable pay.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- explain key differences between public and private sector compensation systems
- understand basic public sector pay and classification structures
- apply foundational compensation principles
Student Expectations:
- Live attendance and full engagement at all 3 Zoom sessions.
- Respond to each of the instructor’s discussion posts within 3 days.
- Complete weekly readings and assignments.
- Contact instructor if questions arise, jlittle1104@gmail.com.
Instructor Expectations:
- Provide weekly assignments and regular discussion posts for student engagement and learning.
- Prepare for and present course content for live Zoom sessions.
- Respond to any student email inquiries within 3 days.
Week One: Foundations of Public Sector Compensation
- Total compensation
- Public sector compensation strategy
- Private and public sector differences
Week Two: Labor Market Assessment
- Labor markets
- Salary data sources
- Benchmarking jobs
- Compensation structure
- External equity
Week Three: Internal Equity and Fair Compensation
- Internal equity
- Pay increases
- Compensation influences
Please let us know if you run into any problems or have questions as soon as possible. We want to make sure you are to have the best possible learning experience.
All your course materials will be found on your course dashboard.
Meetings:
- Course Meetings take place in Zoom Events – You will receive your Individual Zoom Link before the course starts.
Course Design:
The course will be delivered over three weeks with three one-hour sessions per week.
Time Commitment:
Plan for 1 hour for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for course meetings. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the course meeting to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans. All course materials are included on your course dashboard (no textbook is required).
Course Meeting Session Schedule (subject to change):
- Start Date: 11/3/2025
- Completion Date:11/17/2025
- Meeting 1: 11/3/2025 - 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET
- Meeting 1: 11/10/2025 - 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET
- Meeting 3: 11/19/2025 - 12:30 - 1:30 pm ET
Certificate of Attendance: You will earn a Certificate of Completion upon completion of the course.
Cancellation Policy: Professional Development Cancelation Policy
Recertification Points: PSHRA-5 and HRCI-5
Making public sector work better®.
Jacqueline P. Little, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, IPMA-SCP
Chief HR Officer
Island Institute
Ms. Little is a proud Maine native who is passionate about HR and the positive impact HR can have on an organization. She earned a Master's degree in Human Resource Leadership, has over two decades of public sector HR experience and holds the SHRM-SCP, SPHR, PSHRA-SCP and GPHR certifications. Jackie shares her experience, perspective and insight at various local, national and international conferences. In her spare time, she can be found baking cheesecakes, exploring the Maine coast or traveling with her family.
-
Includes Credits
This class will start on November 5, 2025 and end on November 19, 2025
Welcome!
Thank you for your Power Learning Series registration. We are so excited you have looked to PSHRA® to help you grow in your career.
The Power Learning Series offers you a new way to grow your skills without the time commitment of a full course.
Learners will be equipped with fundamental skills in strategic HR analytics and data storytelling. The course has been organized into three meetings:
- The first meeting introduces key concepts such as metrics, analytics, and ROI and guides learners in identifying the “right question” to explore through data.
- The second meeting focuses on formulating a hypothesis, understanding correlation vs. causation, and structuring an HR analytics project using real-world examples.
- The final meeting emphasizes communicating analytical findings effectively through storytelling, visualizations, and ROI presentations to influence decision-makers and drive strategic change.
Learners will gain the skills to use data to solve real HR problems and advocate for impactful interventions. The course will be delivered over three-weeks with one-hour weekly online sessions.
Recertification Points: PSHRA-5 and HRCI-Coming Soon!
Don’t hesitate to contact us - PSHRA – Debbie Tankersely-Snook, Associate Director, Member Programs, Membership - meetings@pshra.org
Making public sector work better®.
Course Syllabus
Course Overview
This fast-paced, three-part course introduces foundational concepts in HR analytics and strategic data storytelling. Participants will learn how to identify actionable questions, test hypotheses using HR data, and communicate insights with impact—using visualizations and ROI-focused
storytelling techniques.Format: 3 Micro-Sessions (60 minutes each)
Audience: Public sector HR professionals, analysts, supervisors, and decision-makers
Learning Objectives
Identify: Analytics concepts, data types, and common HR metrics
Develop: Hypotheses based on real HR challenges
Analyze: Data using a structured, outcome-oriented approach
Visualize & Communicate: Data-driven stories with clear business value
Apply: Analytics and storytelling to HR decision-makingSession 1: HR (People) Analytics – Getting Started
Duration: 60 minutes
Learning Topics:
- What is HR analytics?
- Qualitative vs. quantitative data
- Key HR metrics (turnover, quality of hire, time-to-fill, etc.)
- Four levels of analytics: descriptive → prescriptive Activity:
“Right Question” Exercise – Identify a pressing HR issue and craft a question that analytics can help solve.
Outcomes:
- Define the purpose and value of people analytics
- Learn how to spot opportunities for data-informed HR decisionsSession 2: Formulating a Hypothesis and Building a Mini Project
Duration: 60 minutes
Learning Topics:
- What is a hypothesis? What makes it testable?
- Determining metrics, interventions, and data needs
- Understanding correlation vs. causation, reliability, and statistical significance
Activity:
Project Planning Exercise – Define a hypothesis, outline an intervention, and identify relevant data and metrics.
Outcomes:
- Draft a mini HR analytics project plan
- Understand how to evaluate data quality and test assumptionsSession 3: Storytelling, Visualization & Application
Duration: 60 minutes
Learning Topics:
- The structure of a compelling data narrative (Setting →Issue → Data → Solution → Success)
- Choosing the right visual (bar charts, scatter plots, heatmaps, etc.)
- Basics of dashboard design
- Communicating ROI and business impact
Activity:
Mini Project Presentations – Present your analytics project using the storytelling structure.
Outcomes:
- Gain confidence in communicating data insights
- Leave with a completed, actionable mini-project planCourse Materials: Slide deck with sample dashboards.
Please let us know if you run into any problems or have questions as soon as possible. We want to make sure you are to have the best possible learning experience.
All your course materials will be found on your course dashboard.
Meetings:
- Course Meetings take place in Zoom Events – You will receive your Individual Zoom Link before the course starts.
Course Design:
The course will be delivered over three-weeks with three one-hour sessions per week. You will receive details about the dates, times, and your course URL.
Time Commitment:
Plan for 1 hours for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for course meetings. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the course meetings to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans. All course materials are included on your course dashboard (no textbook is required).
Course Meeting Schedule (subject to change):
- Start Date: 11/5/2025
- Completion Date: 1/19/2026
- Course Meeting 1: 11/5/2025 - 2:00 -3:00 pm ET
- Course Meeting 2: 11/14/2025 - 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET
- Course Meeting 3: 11/19/2025 - 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET
Certificate of Attendance:
You will earn a Certificate of Completion upon completion of the course.
Cancellation Policy:
Professional Development Cancelation Policy
Recertification Points:
PSHRA-5 and HRCI-5
Making public sector work better®.
Braxton T. Casey, MPA, IPMA-SCP, SHRL
Braxton Casey is the principal consultant of Thrive Management Solutions, LLC, a small business where his staff provides HR training and development, career coaching, and consulting services. He also offers various organizational development services with his 20+ years of Federal HR, Leadership, and Business Operations experience.
Braxton is a proud Fayetteville State University graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, a Master's in Public Administration, Doctoral studies at George Washington University, and several HR certifications. He is a certified member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches, the Association for Training and Development, the Society for Human Resource Management, Harvard Business Analytics,
Braxton is a graduate of the Harvard Business Analytics Program (HBAP) and the SHRM People Analytics Program.
Braxton's mission is to be a resource for professional transformation and motivation through training, coaching, and consulting.
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