Courses and events

Boost your communication skills and knowledge with our free courses and learning resources.

Courses and events available to the Government Communication Service (GCS) members.

On this page:

Learn and develop

The majority of our courses are delivered by internal trainers from across departments and organisations. Topics include for example, external affairs, internal communications, marketing, media, and strategic communications. Watch or listen to:

Then record your learning activities in your personal development plan.

Booking

To book your course or watch on-demand webinars, you need to:

  • ask the development adviser in your department for the GCS passwords or contact us to know their details: gcs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
  • it is the same password to book events and to watch on-demand webinars

Online courses with GCSI

We work in partnership with the Government Communication Service International (GCSI) team to offer online modular courses to GCS members. 

When you sign up you must commit to the full duration of the course; between 5 to 8 weeks, depending on which course you sign up for. Modules are released week by week and you can finish them at your own pace provided this is within the timeframe allowed for the whole course. We will advertise the next course dates through our normal communication channels.

The courses available are as follow:

Day courses with GCS

The courses available are as follow, keep checking our calendar for new start dates:

Professional bodies webinars

Watch webinars for free or access resources for a discount through bodies we partner with, such as the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) and the Market Research Society (MRS).

Professional bodies details

Calendar

Course/Event Start End
Comms-exchange
Comms Exchange: Using insights to develop campaigns
Join Defra colleagues to learn how insight can be used to develop a government campaign in a highly changing environment during a pandemic. 		Thursday 13 May
1:15 pm 		Thursday 13 May
2:00 pm
Online-course
Academy: Citizen Experience
This course aims to give participants the tools to create a great citizen experience within the marketing discipline. 		Wednesday 2 June
9:30 am 		Wednesday 2 June
1:00 pm
Webinar
Welcome to GCS Induction Session
If you are a new or recent joiner please attend this 3-hour induction session to learn about the Government Communication Service. 		Thursday 3 June
1:00 pm 		Thursday 3 June
4:00 pm
Online-course
Academy: Presenting with Impact
Gain awareness, impact, and confidence in your delivery of a presentation - this course has been newly adapted to a virtual training format. 		Tuesday 8 June
9:30 am 		Tuesday 8 June
4:30 pm
Webinar
Academy: Unlocking the power of data to transform communications
Find out what are the five key opportunities for using data to turbocharge your campaign performance. 		Wednesday 9 June
9:30 am 		Wednesday 9 June
1:30 pm
Online-course
Academy: Online Crisis Response and Media Relations (Part 1 and 2)
This course will give you the chance to build your crisis management skills through real-life examples. 		Wednesday 16 June
9:00 am 		Wednesday 16 June
11:15 am
Online-course
Academy: Practical Approach to Planning, Insight & Evaluation
This course will demonstrate the value and importance of good audience insight as you work through every stage of the OASIS model. 		Thursday 17 June
9:30 am 		Thursday 17 June
4:30 pm
Online-course
Academy: Creative Campaigns
An interactive, fun and relaxed session with a lively facilitator with decades of experience in the creative industries. 		Tuesday 29 June
9:30 am 		Tuesday 29 June
4:30 pm