Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate Program
Upcoming Courses
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.
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Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 06/23/2026 at 3:00 PM (EDT)
This class will start on June 16, 2026 and end on August 25, 2026
PSHRA’s Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate Course Syllabus
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.
Course Material (All you need is on your dashboard)
- PSHRE Workbook (PDF and Word Versions)
- Public Sector HR Essentials Lessons Summary
- HR20/20 Report
Course Design:
The course spans ten weeks and follows a specific timeline with a sequence of lessons and cohort sessions.
Time Commitment:
Plan for 2 hours for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for cohort sessions. 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 cohort sessions 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 Cohort Session Schedule (subject to change):
- Start Date: 6/16/2026
- Completion Date: 8/25/2026
- Cohort Session 1: 6/23/2026 - 3:30 - 4:30 pm ET
- Cohort Session 2: 7/10/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 3: 7/22/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 4: 7/28/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 5: 8/11/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 6: 8/20/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
Course Content:
Week 1 - Introduction
Cohort Session 1: Introduction
Week 2 - Lesson 1: Public Sector Basics
Week 3 - Lesson 2: Recruitment
Cohort Session 2: Public Sector HR Basics & Recruitment
Week 4 - Lesson 3: Selection
Week 5 - Lesson 4: Classification and Compensation
Cohort Session 3: Selection, Classification & Compensation
Week 6 - Lesson 5: Benefits
Week 7 - Lesson 6: Labor and Employee Relations
Cohort Session 4: Benefits and Labor Management Relations
Week 8 - Lesson 7: Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity
Week 9 - Lesson 8: Organizational Development
Cohort Session 5: Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity, Organization
Week 10 - Lesson 9: Course Summary
Cohort Session 6: Course Summary and Wrap-up
Certificate of Attendance earned upon course completion.
Making public sector work better®.
Joe Gilkerson
Human Resources Director
City of Charlottesville, VA
Joe is currently the Human Resources Director for Charlottesville, VA, Joe has held Human Resources positions at the department head level in private sector, in local and federal government, and higher education. Prior to his civilian career, Joe was in the Marine Corps serving as an Infantry Unit Leader with a tour as a Drill Instructor /Senior Drill Instructor at Parris Island, SC.
Joe has completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership, the Senior Executive Institute (SEI) from the University of Virginia, a Graduate Certificate Program in Local Government Management (from Virginia Tech) and has earned Senior Certified Professional (PSHRA-SCP) designation from the Public Sector Human Resources Association, the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM). Joe is the past Virginia chapter president for IPMA-VA (2010-2011) and currently a member of the PSHRA South Advisory Committee.
Joe and his wife, Amy reside in Fredericksburg Virginia.
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Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 07/02/2026 at 2:30 PM (EDT)
This class will start on June 30, 2026 and end on September 8, 2026
PSHRA’s Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate Course Syllabus
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.
Course Material (All you need is on your dashboard)
- PSHRE Workbook (PDF and Word Versions)
- Public Sector HR Essentials Lessons Summary
- HR20/20 Report
Course Design:
The course spans ten weeks and follows a specific timeline with a sequence of lessons and cohort sessions.
Time Commitment:
Plan for 2 hours for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for cohort sessions. 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 cohort sessions 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 Cohort Session Schedule (subject to change):
- Start Date: 6/30/2026
- Completion Date: 9/8/2026
- Cohort Session 1: 7/2/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 2: 7/17/2026 - 11:00 - 12:30 pm ET
- Cohort Session 3: 7/30/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 4: 8/13/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 5: 8/27/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 6: 9/2/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
Course Content:
Week 1 - Introduction
Cohort Session 1: Introduction
Week 2 - Lesson 1: Public Sector Basics
Week 3 - Lesson 2: Recruitment
Cohort Session 2: Public Sector HR Basics & Recruitment
Week 4 - Lesson 3: Selection
Week 5 - Lesson 4: Classification and Compensation
Cohort Session 3: Selection, Classification & Compensation
Week 6 - Lesson 5: Benefits
Week 7 - Lesson 6: Labor and Employee Relations
Cohort Session 4: Benefits and Labor Management Relations
Week 8 - Lesson 7: Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity
Week 9 - Lesson 8: Organizational Development
Cohort Session 5: Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity, Organization
Week 10 - Lesson 9: Course Summary
Cohort Session 6: Course Summary and Wrap-up
Certificate of Attendance earned upon course completion.
Making public sector work better®.
Milton J. Perkins, PhD,, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CF-APMP, CPC
HR Chief Solutions Architect, Educator, Public Speaker
Dr. P has an extensive track record providing insight and overseeing activities related to assessing environments, design, developing, implementing and measuring human capital solutions (talent acquisition, total rewards, performance management, employee engagement/retention, learning & development) aligned with organizational goals and objectives. Most recently he performed these duties as the SVP, ActOne Government Solutions, where he led all efforts for innovative human capital solutions and staffing solutions for
for FED/SLED capture and fulfillment, private-sector, public school, and non-profit clients, worldwide. He is a AI in HR, Workplace Culture, Workforce Planning, HR Strategy, and People Analytics content SME for organizations such as the Society for HR Management (SHRM) and the Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA).
With nearly four decades in the human capital profession, Dr. P has a tremendous wealth of advisory, practical, research, teaching, and consulting experience developing innovative organizational outcomes through people. He has been a CHRO, VP HR, CDO, and Global Talent Management Leader, Talent Acquisition Leader, and is a senior faculty member for SHRM and PSHRA. He has lectured and spoken on various human capital topics (the business of humans, AI in HR, people analytics, HR essentials, HRBP, inclusive workplace culture, HR strategy, bias in the workplace, credible communication for HR, and employee engagement, to name a few), worldwide, at conferences, corporate events, and on podcasts, virtually and in person.
He has a Ph.D. in Management, an MS in Human Resources Management, and a BS in Management & Computer Information Systems. He is certified in the following areas: IAML Employment Law, SHRM-SCP, HRCI-SPHR, CF-APMP, and NAPS-CPC, and he has
SHRM specialty credentials in DEIA, Human Capital Management Qualified Advising, Leading Workplace Investigations, AI, and People Analytics. Kindle Direct Publishing released his upcoming book, ‘Scratching the DARNSCARSS of Diversity’ in April 2024. He is a member of the Kings and Queens of DEI™, and a frequent co-host of various podcast such as, The AppleOne Show.