Amid declining trust in public institutions and elected representatives and a rapidly changing information environment, Trent University is launching a new micro-credential suite designed to help leaders in the public service strengthen their leadership capacity and accountability.

“People are often promoted into leadership roles in government or the public sector without receiving formal leadership training,” says Dr. Cristine de Clercy, Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership and professor of Political Studies at Trent University. “This micro-credential gives learners access to practical, targeted skills they can apply immediately, helping them become more effective, ethical, and confident public service leaders.”

The Foundations of Public Leadership micro-credential was developed through Trent’s Leadership and Democracy Lab in the Create Centre for Entrepreneurship, and informed by Professor de Clercy’s research expertise on democratic governance, political trust, leadership in the public sector and policy engagement. The suite of modules offers flexible, skills-based training tailored specifically to leaders in government, non-profit, and public sector environments, areas where dedicated leadership education remains limited in Canada.

“Leadership in the public sector is fundamentally different from leadership in the private sector, yet in Canada, formal leadership education for public service and elected roles has historically been limited,” says Prof. de Clercy. “When civil servant leaders are deeply informed about some of the key communication and ethical responsibilities they carry as public servants, they become leaders who are more responsive to citizen and stakeholder needs, more transparent and accountable, and better equipped to navigate complexity and do their jobs well.”

Designed for individuals working in (or preparing for) leadership roles in government, non-profit, and public service organizations, the micro-credential includes a suite of short, skills-based courses that may be taken individually or stacked toward a broader Public Sector Leadership credential. Courses such as Plain Language for the Public Sector and Facilitating Public Dialogue in Policymaking focus on core public leadership competencies, including ethical decision-making, inclusive governance, intercultural communication, and clear communication in public-facing roles.

The Foundations of Public Leadership micro-credential is supported in part by funding from the RBC Foundation through the Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership, creating a distinctive opportunity for students to access public-sector leadership education grounded in real-world experience.

Registration for individual courses is now open, with flexible delivery options available. More information about the Foundations of Public Leadership micro-credential and other micro-credential opportunities at Trent University is available through Careerspace.