Link copied to clipboard
By Christina Hocker, Partner Integration and Training Specialist, The DeBruce Foundation
As a former educator, I understand how the tiny acronym “PD” can trigger a predictable response: an eye-roll, a deep breath, a skeptical glance at the topic, and a plan to bring a laptop with you to actually “get work done.”
For 20 years, I was a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher; my classroom included a lab centered around real-world relevance and practical application. My belief is that professional development should not be any different. Let me tell you about Agilities Coach Training.
What is Agilities Coach Training?
At The DeBruce Foundation, our Agilities Coach Training (ACT) is an immersive, professional development experience designed to equip professionals to help people prepare for careers, make informed career decisions, and see possibilities for their future. It provides a common framework and language: the Agilities©, which help individuals identify their strengths and connect them to today’s modern workforce.
A fresh perspective on training
I joined The DeBruce Foundation team earlier this year. As the “new kid on the block,” I made it my goal to observe our Agilities Coach Training with fresh eyes and through three distinct lenses: the trainer, the participant, and the certified coach. Here’s what I saw:
The Trainer
Agilities Coach Training is built on structured training modules and research-based tools and resources, and the life of our training is in the energy and facilitation of our team.
From the start, our team invites you to ask questions, think critically, and test your skills immediately. A lab of sorts; beautifully structured chaos. Chart paper lines the walls, post-it notes sit ready at your tables, and movement isn’t just allowed – it’s encouraged. We don’t just talk about Agilities, we live them with you for two days, where theory meets real-world application.
The Participant
Remember the plan to bring a laptop to “get work done?” I’ve watched that plan fail for participants simply because there’s simply no time for it.
While laptops may be out (our resources live online), the facilitation creates an ebb that provides participants with tactile experiences and collaborative engagement. Frequent laughter, open dialogue, and intentional interactions fill the space, and we love it.
What I love most is that the room is filled with a diverse group of professionals who are learning, not just from our team, but from each other. Non-profit leaders, educators, and career navigation professionals each bring their own unique lens to the space, sharing insights that help the Agilities come to life in different contexts.
And you don’t just leave with ideas, you leave with a deep understanding of how to use Agilities with the individuals you serve. You walk away with practical ways to help them expand their career confidence, explore new possibilities, and take meaningful steps forward.
The Certified Coach
One of the most powerful things I learned is that Agilities Coach Training doesn’t end on Day 2. Once you become a Certified Agilities Coach, you are part of a growing community of coaches across the country. We didn’t just spend two days together to let you go.
In my experience, “one and done” learning rarely works. Research consistently shows that ongoing coaching is what helps learning stick and translate into practice: Jim Knight, a leading expert in instructional coaching, and a research associate at the University of Kansas, has spent decades studying how to make professional development actually “stick.” His research shows that when high-quality coaching support follows training, the transfer of skills to practice jumps from 15% to nearly 90%.
That’s why we continue the work through our Agilities Coach Community. You’ll meet regularly with a cohort of peers to share best practices, troubleshoot challenges, and learn from one another. Throughout the year, you’ll also have opportunities to engage with new resources, events, and continued learning.
Our goal is to support you as you build and sustain an Agilities culture in your own context.
Who Should Attend Agilities Coach Training?
Agilities Coach Training is designed for professionals who support others in exploring careers and building their future pathways, including:
- Educators and Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers
- School and district leaders
- Nonprofit and community-based organization staff
- Workforce development professionals
- Career coaches and advisors
If your work involves helping individuals prepare for and pursue meaningful career opportunities, this training is built for you.
Register for Agilities Coach Training
Ready to grab a seat at the table? Join us for Agilities Coach Training for professional development that’s practical, engaging, and immediately applicable. The training is provided at no cost through our philanthropic mission, and it’s built for people like you who are ready to expand career pathways and activate their expertise in new ways.
Save your seat and sign up for an upcoming training today.
Fair warning: it might just change the way you think about professional development—for good.
