APWA Alberta Chapter

PO Box 44095 

Garside Post Office 

Edmonton, AB T5V 1N6

(403) 990-APWA

office@publicworks .ca

www.publicworks.ca

The PWS training levels have

been designed to cultivate

leadership and management

skills for those working in or

aspiring to supervisor roles

within the Public Works sector.

Public Works Supervisor

Training

VISIONAdvancing qual ity of l i fe for al l those

l iv ing in or vis it ing Alberta.

MISSIONSupport those who plan, construct,

operate, improve, and maintain publ ic works infrastructure through

education, training, assistance, and member engagement.

www.publicworks.ca

PWS CERTIFICATIONAlongside PWS training, APWA Alberta offers a

certification program designed to help public works practitioners advance into management roles by

allowing them to identify and obtain education and experience relevant to their career path.

The two basic requirements to achieving a level of recognition are Work Experience Units (WEU) and

Management Training Units (MTU). Work Experience Units must be accrued while working in a management capacity and are equal to 1 week of

management work experience. Management Training Units may be accrued from a variety of

education providers, including the APWA Alberta Chapter.

PWS Level 1 Certification

240 MTU \ 150 WEU (3 years)PWS Level 2 Certification

240 MTU \ 150 WEU (3 years)PWS Level 3 Certification

240 MTU \ 150 WEU (3 years)

“a very informative course, it will

be very helpful for me in serving our

community.”

- Bart, Director of Operations

“I can describe this course in two

words…..Fantastic and Excellent. 

From a Public Works Supervisor

view this is perhaps the best, most

relevant course I have taken in

regards to Supervisory training and

I’ve taken a lot over 12 years.”

- Jason, Treatment Facility Supervisor

1.1.1 Learning Styles1.1.2 Leadership Styles1.1.3 Developing Soft Skills1.1.4 Developing a Team1.1.5 Ethics1.1.6 Defining Excellence1.1.7 Self Assessment

Module 1 - Leadership Skills

1.6.1 Role of the Supervisor1.6.2 Developing Listening skills1.6.3 Delegation & Empowerment1.6.4 Creating Action Plans1.6.5 Effective Crew Scheduling1.6.7 Constructive Criticism – Problem Employees1.6.8 Decision Making Skills1.6.9 Motivating1.6.10 Time Management1.6.11 Organizational Behaviour & Culture1.6.12 Stress Management

Module 4 - Supervisory Techniques And Skills

1.4.1 Data Driven decision making1.4.2 Maintenance Management Systems1.5 Introduction to Finance1.5.1 Overview of Municipal Finance & Budgeting1.5.2 Purchasing Policies

Module 3 - Asset Management & Finance Introduction

1.2.1 Surface1.2.2 Underground1.2.3 Distinct1.2.4 Support1.3 OHS Safety

Module 2 - Public Works Operations

2.1.1 Legislation & Authority2.1.2 Policy & Bylaws2.1.3 Council & Staff Roles & Relationships

Module 5 - Government Fundamentals MGA

2.2.1 Selecting New Employees2.2.2 Training New Employees2.2.3 Labour Management Relations2.2.4 Progressive Discipline2.2.5 Documentation2.2.6 Legislation Whistle Blower protection

Module 6 - Employment, Hiring and Labour Relations

2.3.1 Communication - forms2.3.2 Effective Meetings2.3.3 Developing Effective Presentations2.3.4 Presentation Skills2.3.5 Dealing with the Media2.3.6 Difficult Conversations2.3.7 Effective Email communication

Module 7 - Communication Skills

3.1.1 Operating & Capital Planning3.1.2 Developing financial Strategies3.1.3 Developing User Rates3.1.4 Cost Control3.1.5 Financial Reporting3.1.6 Role of the Finance Dept3.1.7 HR Tracking3.1.8 Risk in financial management3.1.9 How Decisions are made

Module 9  - Municipal Finance

2.4.1 Public Relations Overview2.4.2 Customer Service Excellence -WOW2.4.3 Internal Customers2.4.4 External Customers2.4.5 Community Diversity & Service

Module 8 - Community & Customer Service

3.2.1 Contract Regulations3.2.2 Administering Contracts3.2.3 Construction Bonds3.2.4 Construction Liens3.3 Project Management3.3.1 Project Delivery3.3.2 Project Leader and Manager Roles at Key Project Stages3.3.3 Project Management Tools

Module 10 - Contract Law & project management

3.4.1 Formal and Informal business communication3.4.2 Business letters3.4.3 Report Writing – Council and Management

Module 11 - Written Communication skills

3.5.1 Negotiation skills3.5.2 Leveraging resources with other entities3.5.3 Successful Collaboration – Creating partnerships3.5.4 Understanding Generational Differences3.5.5 APWA Accreditation3.6 Creating the Future3.6.1 Succession planning & Mentoring

Module 12  - Management Skills

PWS LEVEL 1SUB FOREMAN, LEAD HANDS, CREW LEADER

80 CEUs towards PWS Certif ication

PWS LEVEL 3SUPERINTENDENT, SUPERVISOR, MANAGER

80 CEUs towards PWS Certif ication

PWS LEVEL 2FOREMAN, SUPERINTENDENT, SUPERVISOR, MANAGER

80 CEUs towards PWS Certif ication