Training
IAP2 Australasia Certificate in Engagement
This course offers government, local government, private sector and practitioners genuinely helpful tools to make consultation easier. It offers a carefully researched and clearly defined process for thinking about, planning and conducting community consultation programmes and activities. It provides participants with a broad-based learning experience covering all the concepts required by those who seek to engage communities in decisions that affect them.
Upon the completion of each module, learners will receive credit from IAP2 Australasia recognising their successful participation in that module. Upon completion of all 5 days of training the participants will receive the Certificate in Engagement
Core modules:
- Essentials of Engagement (1 days)
- Design and Plan Engagement (2 days)
- Apply Engagement Methods (2 days)
- Elective module
- Facing Conflict (1 day)
Essentials of Engagement
IAP2A Certificate in Engagement
This one-day course presents the core platform of concepts that underpin effective engagement using examples and practical exercises.
This course provides you with foundation skills and knowledge about engaging with communities and stakeholders.
Learning objectives:
- Introduce the key elements of contemporary engagement practices
- Introduce and explore the dynamics of the Community Engagement Model (CEM2) and be clear on who leads and acts in the engagement process
- Introduce and demonstrate how to practice the IAP2 Core Values, Code of Ethics and Spectrum of Public Participation, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles
- Advice participants how they can be guided by the IAP2A Practice Framework
Who should do this course?
This course provides you with foundation skills and knowledge about engaging with communities and stakeholders.
It is suitable for both those new to engagement, work closely with engagement professionals and those who have been practising for some time but are looking to enhance their skills and knowledge
Pre-requisites
None
Design and Plan Engagement
IAP2A Certificate in Engagement
Design and Plan Engagement focuses on the design and planning stages of the Practice Framework and provides ‘best practice’ key concepts and processes for both internal and external engagement.
Learning objectives:
- Collaboratively work on a real-world scenario to develop a comprehensive engagement plan working on a template provided
- Use the Design Phase – context; scope; stakeholder analysis; determine engagement purpose; identify engagement leadership; shape influence levels using the IAP2 Spectrum and secure sponsor support
- Use the Plan Phase – identify project stages; sequence engagement; set engagement objectives; assess risks; select methods; determine evaluation approach; identify resources required; secure sponsor approval.
Design and Plan Engagement is the course for those who need to have an understanding of the process of designing and running engagement projects. Using IAP2 principles, course participants will discover the key steps in putting together an engagement plan, as well as implementation considerations and evaluation methods.
Pre-requisites
Engagement of Essentials
Apply Engagement Methods
IAP2A Certificate in Engagement
In this two-day module, Apply Engagement Methods, uses examples and practical exercises to support participants to learn the skills and methods to prepare them for day to day community and stakeholder engagement
Learning objectives:
- Introduce learners to a variety of engagement methods for use in a range of a contexts and select appropriate methods for a number of engagement requirements
- Explore and practice a range of multi-modal engagement methods
- Design a process for a scenario including question design
- Apply key elements of effective method selection and design to a scenario
- Complete a template for method design
- Apply an element of the method process to test effectiveness according to a quality checklist
- Be able to justify the choice of methods to decision-makers/sponsors
- Ensure the methods chosen and designed meet DEI principles
Who should do this course?
Apply Engagement Methods is an essential course for practitioners involved in facilitating engagement activities. It is for those who want to move beyond a limited range of methods and who want to understand and utilise different and emerging methods for different communities and purpose.
Pre-requisites
Engagement of Essentials
Facing Conflict
IAP2A Certificate in Engagement
Engagement often brings passionate voices to the table: people with strong opinions, emotions, and a deep investment in the outcomes. But passion can sometimes lead to tension, raised voices, or conversations that veer off track. Knowing how to de-escalate and facilitate in the heat of the moment is a vital skill to guide the group towards meaningful outcomes and ensure all voices are heard—not just the loudest.
This module is an elective in the IAP2 Australasia Certificate in Engagement.
Learning objectives:
By the end of this interactive course, you will be able to:
- Understand conflict dynamics
- Define conflict and identify its common triggers in engagement contexts.
- Explain the psychological and emotional drivers behind human responses to conflict.
- Recognize how different conflict styles (e.g., avoidance, confrontation) manifest in group settings.
- Master your role as a practitioner
- Clarify your responsibilities in conflict situations, including maintaining neutrality and ethical practice.
- Describe how core engagement models (e.g., IAP2A frameworks) apply to high-tension scenarios.
- Develop critical skills
- Detect early warning signs of conflict through behavioural and emotional cues.
- Apply active listening and reframing tools to de-escalate tension and foster dialogue.
- Facilitate “tough conversations” with techniques that keep discussions constructive.
- Strengthen personal resilience
- Reflect on your own conflict triggers and reactions.
- Use grounding techniques to remain composed under pressure.
- Implement strategies to enhance long-term professional resilience.
- Apply practical tools
- Utilise facilitation methods tailored to conflict-heavy environments.
- Adapt engagement processes to address underlying tensions (e.g., using Condiffe’s 2016 conflict factors).
- Turn conflict into opportunities for deeper stakeholder understanding and collaboration.
Who should do this course?
- This is a course for any person who has interaction with communities and stakeholders during engagement programs, direct or online.
- The skills taught in relation to managing conflict are transferable to many professions.