Training Courses for Council & Local Authority Staff
Instructor-led Microsoft, administration and management training for council and local authority teams, delivered at your offices, remotely via Teams or at our public venues with public-sector rates. Trusted by local authorities and combined authorities for over 15 years.
Council & Local Authority Staff Training · UK-wide
Instructor-led Microsoft, administration and management training for council and local authority teams, delivered at your offices, remotely via Teams or at our public venues with public-sector rates. Trusted by local authorities and combined authorities for over 15 years.
- Certificated training
- Onsite, remote or public
- 90-minute bitesize or full-day sessions
- Volume discounts on 5+ courses
In short
Keys Training® provides instructor-led training for council and local authority staff: Microsoft Office, Excel, Copilot, minute taking, chairing meetings, report writing, customer service and management skills for officers, support staff and managers. Sessions run as 90-minute bitesize sessions or full days, in-house at your offices or remotely via Microsoft Teams. We create solutions for council teams and work around your working conditions.
Confidence & assertiveness training delivered for Northumberland County Council
Trusted by Manchester City Council Bradford Council Gloucestershire County Council Northumberland County Council West Yorkshire Combined Authority Liverpool City Council Bolton Council and councils UK-wide
Training that fits around busy council services
We've supported local authorities and combined authorities for over 15 years, so our trainers understand the realities of council working: scrutiny, resident-facing pressures and the systems your teams actually use. We create solutions for council teams and work around your working conditions rather than expecting you to fit ours.
Excel Introduction course delivered in-house at Chorley Council
Proven local authority track record
Over 15 years delivering external training to district, borough, city and county councils, with consistently positive attendee feedback.
Bitesize or full-day sessions
90-minute bitesize sessions or full days, in-person or via Teams. Group sizes flex from 1-to-1 up to 24.
Tailored to your council
Your trainer calls before the course to build in real council documents, systems and scenarios.
Public-sector pricing
Fixed in-house fees, public-sector rates on public courses and volume discounts on multi-course purchase orders.
Training courses for council & local authority staff
Every course below can be delivered in-house at your offices or remotely via Teams. Click a course for the full outline or browse the full course finder.
Microsoft & digital skills
Microsoft Excel (Intro to Advanced)
Spreadsheets, formulas, pivot tables and reporting for council data and budgets.
View courseMicrosoft Copilot (AI)
Practical, safe use of Copilot in Outlook, Word, Teams and Excel for council teams.
View courseMicrosoft 365 & Office
Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, Power BI, Project and more.
View courseAdministration & communication skills
Minute Taking Skills
Accurate, concise minutes for committee, cabinet and departmental meetings.
View courseChairing Effective Meetings
Confident, well-run meetings for panels, committees and working groups.
View courseReport Writing
Structure, clarity and evidence for council reports and committee papers.
View courseClear Business Writing
Plain-English emails, letters and resident-facing communications.
View courseCustomer Service Skills
Resident and service-user experience for reception, contact centre and support teams.
View courseSpeaking & Presenting with Confidence
Confident presentations, briefings and committee updates.
View courseManagement & personal effectiveness
Management Skills for Emerging Managers
For team leaders and newly promoted managers across council services.
View courseFinance for Non-Financial Managers
Budgets, cost centres and financial reporting for council managers.
View courseTime & Priority Management
Managing competing demands and workload in a busy council environment.
View courseAssertiveness & Confidence Skills
Clear, respectful communication with colleagues, members and residents.
View courseConflict Management
De-escalation and resolution skills for front-line and admin staff.
View courseMore office & personal development courses
Disability awareness, GDPR, stress management, emotional intelligence and more.
In-house, remote or public: you choose
In-house at your council
Our trainer comes to your offices, depot or service location and delivers a small classroom session for your team.
- Tailored to your roles and systems
- 90-minute bitesize or full-day formats
- Groups from 1-to-1 up to 24
- Fixed fee per course, not per person
- Trainer travel included
Remote via Microsoft Teams
Live, instructor-led sessions your staff can join from any site. Ideal for multi-site authorities and hybrid teams.
- Same trainer-led interaction as classroom
- Short 90-minute virtual sessions for busy teams
- 90-minute bitesize sessions suit shift and service patterns
- Bespoke 1-to-1 days available
- Teams invites managed by us
Public courses with public-sector rates
Send one or two people to a scheduled course at one of our UK venues at a reduced fee for public-sector attendees.
- Microsoft public dates
- Office skills public dates
- Small groups, certificate and refreshments included
Clear, public-sector-friendly pricing
Guide prices are shown below. Your quote will confirm the exact fee for your course, group size and location. All prices exclude VAT.
| Option | Guide price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| In-house Microsoft 365 & Copilot course at your offices | £645 + VAT | Up to 10 attendees; £35 + VAT per additional person. Tailoring, handouts, trainer travel and certificates included. |
| In-house business skills / soft skills course at your offices | £745 + VAT | Up to 10 attendees; £35 + VAT per additional person. Tailoring, handouts, trainer travel and certificates included. |
| In-person or virtual bitesize session (90 minutes) | Contact us | Short, focused session on a single topic, delivered at your offices or live via Teams. Get in touch to discuss content and pricing for your team. |
| Remote instructor-led Microsoft 365 & Copilot day via Teams | £595 + VAT | Live virtual classroom for small groups (up to 4). |
| Remote instructor-led day via Teams (other skills) | £645 + VAT | Live virtual classroom for small groups (up to 4). |
| Public course place (public-sector rate) | Public-sector discount | Reduced fee per person for public-sector attendees; includes reference material, certificate and refreshments. |
| Volume purchase order (5+ courses) | Discounted | Book five or more courses on one PO and run them at any point in the next 12 months. |
All our courses can take groups of up to 10 attendees as standard — for larger groups, please enquire and we'll discuss the options with you.
Purchase orders welcome. Invoices can be raised to your council's finance team or supplier portal. See also our Excel training fees.
From enquiry to certificates in four steps
Tell us what your team needs
Call or email with the course, rough numbers and location. We'll recommend the right level and format. No hard sell.
Pick a date, raise a PO
We send available trainer dates and a written quotation. You confirm with a purchase order and we reserve your trainer.
Pre-course tailoring
Your trainer calls to understand attendee roles and gather real examples. Pre-course evaluation forms help pitch the level correctly.
Training day and follow-up
Course delivered 9:30 to 4:30 (or your times). Attendees receive certificates, reference material and free post-course email support.
Support before, during and after
- A dedicated account manager for your council
- Pre-course evaluation forms to set the right level
- Help planning and customising closed courses
- Course certificates for staff training and CPD records
- Quality reference materials to keep
- Post-course management feedback reviews
- Free post-course telephone and email support
- Trainer personality matched to your team
Nationwide, at your site or ours
Our trainers travel to council sites throughout the UK. Public courses run at venues in:
PrestonLiverpoolManchesterLeedsBirminghamLondon
Very good pace, course tailored to the audience. Well worth it!
Michal, West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Questions L&D teams ask us
What council training courses does Keys Training provide?
Keys Training® provides training for council and local authority staff: Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, Power BI, Project), Microsoft Copilot, minute taking, chairing meetings, report writing, clear business writing, customer service, assertiveness, conflict management, time management, project management, finance for non-financial managers and management skills for emerging managers. We do not provide mandatory statutory, safeguarding or compliance training.
Can the training be delivered at our council offices?
Yes. Most council courses are delivered in-house at your offices by a Keys Training trainer. Courses can also be delivered remotely via Microsoft Teams. Individuals can also attend scheduled public courses at venues across the UK.
How much does council staff training cost?
In-house Microsoft 365 & Copilot courses are £645 + VAT, and in-house business skills or soft skills courses are £745 + VAT, both for up to 10 attendees at your offices (additional attendees £35 + VAT each). Remote instructor-led Microsoft 365 & Copilot days via Teams are £595 + VAT, and remote days for other skills are £645 + VAT. Larger groups can be arranged — just enquire to discuss. 90-minute bitesize sessions, public course places and volume purchase orders are also available. Public-sector attendees receive a discount on public courses and volume discounts apply when five or more courses are booked on one purchase order.
Are the courses CPD accredited?
Our courses are not currently CPD accredited. Every attendee receives a Keys Training course certificate that can be added to their professional development record, and we're happy to discuss accreditation requirements for your team.
How long are the courses?
We offer two formats: full days (9:30am to 4:30pm) and short, focused 90-minute bitesize sessions delivered in-person at your offices or live via Teams. Get in touch and we'll help you pick the right format for your team.
How many staff can attend?
Group sizes vary depending on your needs, from 1-to-1 sessions up to groups of 24. We will advise on the right size for the course so everyone gets practical, hands-on support. In-house fees include up to 10 attendees, with a small per-person charge above that.
Can the content be tailored to our department?
Yes, tailoring is included. Your trainer will speak with you before the course to understand attendee roles and build in real council documents, systems and scenarios so the learning is immediately usable back at work.
Do you accept council purchase orders and supplier portals?
Yes. We work with council procurement and finance teams every week. We accept purchase orders and can invoice through supplier portals where required.
Which councils have you worked with?
We have delivered training for district, borough, city, county and unitary councils and combined authorities across the UK for over 15 years, including Manchester City Council, Bradford Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Northumberland County Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority. References from council L&D contacts are available on request.
Arrange training for your councils team.
Tell us the course, rough numbers and where you are. A training advisor will reply within one working day with options and a fixed fee.