Essential Communication Skills

A half-day workshop building the core communication skills every APS employee needs.

Effective communication is more than just speaking and listening. It takes self-awareness, an understanding of others’ communication and behavioural preferences, and the ability to adapt your style to the situation. This workshop introduces practical models and techniques through interactive discussion and self-reflection, giving participants clear actions to take back to their role and become more effective communicators.

Duration: Half day  ·  Delivery: Online or Face-to-face  ·  Cohort: 8-20 participants

Aligned to the APS Craft Capability Framework and APS Workforce Strategy 2025.

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Short Courses → Essential Communication Skills

What your team will learn

Core communication skills participants can apply across their day-to-day work.

Participants build stronger skills in sending and receiving messages and learn to communicate effectively with people with different behavioural styles. The workshop covers how to break down common communication barriers and how strong communication supports team building and growth. Participants also learn to use communication as a tool for solving problems more effectively.

What we cover

    • Sending and receiving messages — Developing the fundamentals of communicating with others.
    • Different behavioural styles — Adapting communication to suit different behavioural styles.
    • Barriers to communication — Identifying and breaking down common barriers to effective communication.
    • Team building and growth — Using communication to build effective teams and facilitate growth.
    • Communication for problem solving — Using communication to solve workplace problems more effectively.

Workshop format

Half a day, delivered to your team as a closed cohort.

McMillan’s Essential Communication Skills workshop uses interactive discussion and self-reflection to introduce practical communication models and techniques. Participants leave with clear takeaway actions to apply to their day-to-day communication at work.

At a glance

    • Length: Half day
    • Audience: APS1 – 6
    • Delivery: Online (live, facilitated) or Face-to-face
    • Cohort size: Minimum 8, maximum 20 participants
    • Approach: Facilitated instruction, discussion, and self-reflection

Who the workshop is for

Suitable for APS1 to APS6 staff.

Essential Communication Skills is designed for staff at APS1 to APS6 level who want to build stronger, more adaptable communication skills. We tailor content and examples to your cohort’s context before delivery.

Typical cohorts

    • Staff wanting to strengthen day-to-day communication skills
    • Teams working across different communication and behavioural styles
    • Whole teams wanting a shared approach to breaking down communication barriers

When this workshop is a good fit:

    • Staff need to adapt their communication style to different people and situations
    • Communication barriers are affecting how your team works together
    • You want staff equipped to use communication to solve problems more effectively
    • You’re building a consistent communication capability across a team or work area

How we deliver

Evidence-based training grounded in adult learning principles, applied consistently to every engagement.

1. Initiate

Confirm outcomes, audience, schedule, and success measures.

2. Design and tailor

Shape content and scenarios to your workplace.

3. Deliver

Interactive, practical sessions online or in-person.

4. Evaluate and close

Capture feedback, measure impact, document improvements.

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Let's talk about your training needs

Tell us who you are and what you’re after — Ben or Lauren will get back to you.

Prefer to call? Phone us on (02) 6230 0266.

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