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Professional Development

Joint Career Development Program

Professional Development

The Joint Career Development Program (JCDP) is a one-of-a-kind program which allocates $1 million worth of training every year to members covered by the FI Collective Agreement. This funding was secured in the collective agreement by ACFO-ACAF in 2016 and the program is co-managed by ACFO-ACAF and the Office of the Comptroller General, with the support from the Financial Management Community Development team. Originally launched in September 2017, the program has seen thousands of financial officers from more than 60 departments receive training. In 2021-22, more than 3,000 members benefitted from the program.

JCDP 2022-23

This year’s program marks a return of the popular Regional Tune Up event series after two years of pandemic hiatus to go along with the Mental Health and Wellness Seminar and a Data Analytics Demo Day as we take advantage of the opportunity to re-invest in larger events that allow for greater networking opportunities along with deeper learning for more members.

We’re also pleased to announce that we will continue to offer online attendance for our larger events as well as dedicated online cohorts of our classroom-style courses to members who aren’t quite ready to return to in person gatherings or simply prefer to learn from home.

Apply now!

The deadline to apply is Sunday, June 19, 2022, at 11:59 pm ET. All applicants will then go into a random draw to assign training based on your stated preferences and successful applicants will be contacted throughout the summer.

Development days

The following development days are open to all ACFO-ACAF members, not just those covered by the FI Collective Agreement. Specific details about timing and formats of the events will be provided along with registration links once the COVID landscape and associated public health guidelines are clear.

Classroom-style courses

For this year only, given uncertainty around travel policies in light of the ongoing COVID pandemic, in-person courses will be offered to members based in the NCR or those able attend courses in the NCR without travel support only. Members outside of the NCR will be given higher priority for online courses where both in-person and online options exist.

Business intelligence, data and analytics courses

Communication and interpersonal skills courses

Leadership theme courses

 

Introduction to Power BI (14 CPD hours)

This two-day course by Daxel is designed for those with little to no experience with Microsoft Power BI. This intensive course will take participants from basic principles and concepts through best practices in using Power BI, concluding with a chance to apply the learned concepts in a truly hands-on and immersive way. Participants will:

  • master the Microsoft Power BI Service environment;
  • build an interactive report with Power BI Desktop application; and
  • develop strategies to pursue Power BI learning.

Dates and languages

  • September 6 – 7, 2022 – English, virtual
  • November 14 – 15, 2022 – English, virtual
  • February 23 – 24, 2023 – French, virtual

Intermediate Power BI – Power Query and Measures (14 CPD hours)

This two-day course developed by Daxel is intended for those with at least a little experience working with Microsoft Power BI. It builds on introductory courses and is intended for audiences interested in learning more about data modeling and report automation. Analysts will learn advanced functionalities in Power Query and DAX language in measures to enable an automated update process and complex indicators evaluation. Participants will:

  • use advanced functionalities in Power Query Editor and M language;
  • understand the different relationship types in data modelling;
  • build a DAX Reference Tool: understand and use DAX most common functions; and
  • develop strategies to pursue M and DAX learning.

Dates and languages

  • December 5 – 6, 2022 – English, virtual
  • February 9 – 10, 2023 – French, virtual

Storytelling With Data (14 CPD hours)

This course, presented by Data Action Lab, is for participants who wish to become savvy consumers of data presentations and learn how to work with teams to communicate useful, evidence-based messages and ideas. The focus is on understanding how dashboards, reports and data visualizations convey descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive data insights to decision-makers. Topics covered will include:

  • effective visuals
  • anatomy of dashboards and data visualizations
  • decluttering
  • identifying and holding the audience’s attention
  • thinking like a designer with the Gestalt principles
  • lessons in storytelling with data
  • making data presentations accessible

The course will also include specific activities, including:

  • identifying and gathering data presentation requirements
  • storyboarding
  • critiquing dashboards and data presentations

Dates and languages

  • August 30 – 31, 2022 – French, virtual
  • October 3 – 4, 2022 – English, virtual
  • November 2 – 3, 2022 – English, in-person if possible
  • January 23 – 24, 2023 – English, in-person if possible

Fundamentals of Persuasive Communication (14 CPD hours)

This course combines the two effective communications courses offered by ACFO-ACAF’s Comptrollership Training Centre. Participants will learn about the fundamentals of persuasive communication with a specific focus on scenarios and document types that will be familiar to anyone who works in a finance, accounting or audit function. Specific topics covered will include:

  • public speaking;
  • email etiquette;
  • preparing briefing notes;
  • and more.

Participants will also learn how to identify and categorize client / audience types to help refine and tailor communications to their audience needs by exploring:

  • the evolving role of the finance professional;
  • how to identify and articulate the value of their profession;
  • how to make persuasive arguments;
  • how to identify their own biases and how those biases affect influence; and
  • the role of emotion in communicating and influencing decision-making.

Dates and languages

  • October 12 – 13, 2022 – English, in-person if possible
  • November 29 – 30, 2022 – French, virtual
  • January 25 – 26, 2023 – English, in-person if possible
  • February 7 – 8, 2023 – English, virtual
  • March 7 – 8, 2023 – English, in-person if possible

Building and Fostering Trust (7 CPD hours)

This course delivered by ACFO-ACAF’s Comptrollership Training Centre in partnership with The EI Experience teaches participants how to build trust to increase engagement, creativity, and commitment. It focuses on trust at three levels: self-trust, relationship trust and organizational trust and how each contributes to the success of teams and organizations.

Participants will explore how trusting relationships between team members and their leaders:

  • shape the foundation for building a successful organization;
  • create higher levels of collaboration;
  • increase creativity and risk-taking; and
  • result in more effective execution of business strategy and increased commitment and loyalty.

Dates and languages

Navigating Difficult Conversations (7 CPD hours)

Difficult conversations can be rich and productive learning opportunities, helping to resolve conflicts quickly, improve team relationships and build a culture of accountability. Held through Algonquin College’s Corporate Training Centre, participants will:

  • learn how to have emotional or intense conversations with techniques on how to deliver bad news;
  • learn how to establish rapport and how to empathize when needed;
  • practice applying practical tools through individual and group exercises;
  • practice confronting challenging issues with confidence; and
  • learn to identify the right time and place for having a critical conversation.

Dates and languages

  • September 8, 2022 – English, in-person if possible
  • October 5, 2022 – French, in-person if possible
  • November 10, 2022 – French, virtual
  • November 24, 2022 – English, in-person if possible
  • December 13, 2022 – French, virtual
  • January 19, 2023 – English, virtual
  • January 31, 2023 – English, virtual

IFSD 360º (35 CPD hours)

Note: Due to the intensive nature and focus of the content, this course is offered exclusively to CT-FIN 3s and CT-FIN-4s. This course will primarily be delivered in English. However, questions can be asked and will be answered in French.

Led by Kevin Page, 30-year veteran of the federal financial community and Canada’s first Parliamentary Budget Officer, this five-day course is taught exclusively by staff from The Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy (IFSD). This hands-on, interactive and collaborative course was created exclusively for CT-FINs and covers topics including:

  • Due-diligence and costing: Sharpen your analytic skills to improve your due-diligence and costing techniques with expert presenters and a case study based on a real file;
  • Estimates: Leverage the experiences of current and former parliamentarians to unpack, explore and debate the need for reform of the estimates process and existing proposals;
  • Forecasting: Learn to identify and unpack the information buried in the budget with veteran public servants, economic analysts and former political staff;
  • The financial cycle: Explore the politics, fiscal and economic considerations of transition with those who have orchestrated, managed and experienced it; and
  • Effective communications: Using multiple case studies, refine your skill in communicating complex information through briefing notes, interdepartmental presentations and oral briefings.

Dates and languages

  • February 13 – 17, 2023 – English, in-person if possible

Relating and Responding to Mental Health (14 CPD hours)

This workshop has been designed by Talk Tools Training for anyone who has an interest in ensuring they are caring for their own mental health and that of their colleagues and loved ones. This session will allow participants a safe space to speak openly about mental health and their current challenges in the workplace and in life in general.

Participants will:

  • learn how to identify basic signs within themselves and those around them that indicate poor or worsening mental health; and
  • give themselves the skills needed to respond non-judgmentally and with empathy.

Dates and languages

  • November 1 – 2, 2022 – French, virtual
  • December 7 – 8, 2022 – English, virtual
  • December 14 – 15, 2022 – French, virtual
  • January 10 – 11, 2023 – English, virtual
  • February 1 – 2, 2023 – English, in-person if possible
  • February 15 – 16, 2023 – English, in-person if possible
  • February 21 – 22, 2023 – French, in-person if possible

Authentic Leadership (14 CPD hours)

Note: This two-day course will primarily be delivered in English. However, questions can be asked and will be answered in French.

Trillium Teams’ Authentic Leadership Course is a transformative experience that instills leadership through a thoughtful blend of relevant topics, real world expertise, and feedback. The course provides professionals with proper training, a renewed passion for advancing their career and practical tools to get there. Participants will:

  • discover their authentic leadership style to be a more effective communicator and engaging leader;
  • discern and clarify the strengths of their communication style; and
  • learn concrete tools and gain the confidence to put these into practice.

Dates and languages

  • September 27 – 28, 2022 – English, virtual
  • November 16 – 17, 2022 – English, in-person if possible

Building Your DEI Toolkit (7 CPD hours)

This course by Canadian Equality Consulting will equip participants to develop a personal action plan for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) both in their personal and professional life. Using relevant case studies, participants will build their own DEI toolkit by:

  • exploring fundamental DEI concepts;
  • unlearning biases;
  • strengthening inclusive language;
  • learning tangible tools for having, hosting, and intervening in DEI related conversions;
  • engaging with leading DEI practices;
  • applying DEI into their roles and responsibilities in the workplace; and
  • building a personal action plan.

Dates and languages

  • October 11 – 12, 2022 – French, virtual
  • November 22 – 23, 2022 – English, virtual
  • January 12 – 13, 2023 – English, virtual
  • February 28 – March 1, 2023 – French, virtual

Previous years

You may view the full lists of training recipients below:

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