SALT LAKE CITY — Two public broadcasting organizations are partnering to launch a systemwide professional development initiative.
The National Educational Telecommunications Association and the Affinity Group Coalition announced the collaborative project at NETA’s conference Wednesday.
“We believe the time is right to combine our efforts,” NETA President Eric Hyyppa told the organization’s board Wednesday at NETA’s annual meeting.
The initiative includes online learning and in-person training opportunities, webinars, peer networks and other tools on topics including public media basics, management, discipline-specific training and leadership development. Participants do not need to be NETA clients.
NETA’s most recent strategic plan calls for “supporting your professional development and career advancement,” Hyyppa said in a statement. “It’s a tall order, and we’re excited for the challenge.”
The Public Television Major Market Group, a member of the AGC, also recently began to offer professional-development training. Several system leaders have noted the dearth of these opportunities over the years.
NETA and the coalition announced a professional development working group headed by NETA Board Chair Molly Phillips with assistance from NETA Education VP Tim Eernisse. Members come from the PTMMG and coalition organizations the Small Station Association, the Organization of State Broadcasting Executives, the University Licensee Association, the Joint Licensee Group and the Independent Public Television Stations Association.
The working group met in Salt Lake City and will meet again next month, Eernisse said. Members will teleconference monthly. Professional-development opportunities should be available starting this spring, he said.