In 2021, Beaufort County personnel from the infrastructure departments collaborated in creating an emerging leaders group for employees. The group’s purpose was to create unity among coworkers with a common goal of excelling in their careers, fostering relationships, and serving the community. The Emerging Leaders group quickly grew and gained interest in other departments and was expanded to include all departments within the Beaufort County government. The vision statement of the Emerging Leaders group is to “provide an organization to emerging leaders in Beaufort County for the betterment of all departments and personnel associated to continue to make Beaufort County the best place to live, work, and play in the Lowcountry.” One of the first projects that the group sought to accomplish was to bring a Women’s Leadership Summit to employees geared toward women in government and leadership roles. The first Women’s Leadership Summit took place in June 2023 and was such a success that the summit became an annual occurrence. With the Leadership Summit, employees can network and engage with professionals to develop and increase leadership skills. In addition, speaker presentations motivate and inspire employees to strive for success in their public service careers. The summit recently received an Honorable Mention from the South Carolina Association of Counties J Mitchell Graham Award application. “After this session, participants will be better able to:
• Administer the tools and resources to form a similar program for emerging leaders and a women’s leadership summit.
• Invest in the organization’s employees and address diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Assist employees in developing professional skills through engagement, networking, and informative sessions through a summit held locally and catered to employees, hosted by employees.”
Contributor/Source
Victoria Hoffman-Solid Waste and Recycling Program Manager
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Introductory
Focuses on a general or broad overview of the topic, awareness of basic factual recall. Limited experience of the subject matter is necessary to understand content areas.
Applied
Focuses on practical implementation of technical steps or strategies, some prior knowledge and experience of the topic is necessary.
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Mastery of basic concepts associated with an area has been obtained. Focuses on understanding nuances, advanced concepts, and intricacies with implementation within knowledge area. Strong understanding of how the concept impacts other factors or areas of operations.
Program Types
CLL
Click, Listen & Learn (CLL) are interactive educational webinars. Each program is led by top experts in the field who share new ideas, methods, and technologies in a fast-paced two-hour time frame. These programs are available free to APWA members. CLL programs are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs).
Primer
Primers are used to educate policymakers about public works roles and responsibilities in public rights of way, the impact of federal workforce development policies on the industry and workforce, and the importance of resilient infrastructure.
Public Works Radio Podcast
Public Works Radio is the official podcast of the American Public Works Association (APWA), bringing the stories behind our communities to life. This podcast shines a spotlight on the people and projects that keep our cities running—humanizing the work and the professionals who make it happen. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone.
PWX
PWX session recordings cover a wide variety of topics, including integrating modes of transportation, traffic and transit, construction management, emergency management, engineering and technology, fleet and facilities, management, parks and grounds, snow and ice control, and stormwater/flood control, as well as solid waste, roads and bridges and water/wastewater. PWX sessions are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs).
Reporter Articles
APWA Reporter articles are written by public works practitioners on subjects such as solid waste management, water resources, municipal engineering, transportation, equipment services, buildings and grounds, snow removal, and other public works-related topics.
Snow
The Snow Conference session recordings feature public works professionals sharing the latest best practices in managing winter/snow operations more successfully, taking advantage of emerging technologies, understanding and preparing for the challenges ahead, and providing better service to their communities. Snow sessions are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs).
Tech Boxes
A tech box is a PDF take-away that provides information in lists, steps, or defined areas specifically focused on trending technologies.
Virtual Program
Virtual programs are live, interactive educational programs led by top experts in the field who provide timely information or address trending topics within an area. Programs often conclude with an open forum for Q&A.