TPA to host on-demand workshops

Beginning in 2003, TPA members will move into the newest phase of continuing education with on-demand regional training.

The TPA Workshop Committee met in January and voted to implement a new structure for the regional workshop series, which began in 1999 in an effort to reach members in all parts of the state.

Starting in January members may schedule a workshop when they want and at a time that is convenient yet maximizes their staff attendance and ensures local participation.

The TPA Mobile Lab began incorporating on-demand training last year and has enjoyed tremendous success, visiting 10 newspapers since the initial offering.

The on-demand workshop training will follow a similar system whereby TPA members organize the lab visits and guarantee attendance by at least a certain number to ensure that the workshop will benefit the most members.

Past attendance figures show that the greatest participation occurs when members take a pro-active role.

Since the regional workshop training series began three years ago, 363 people have participated but some of the workshops have been nearly empty with fewer than 15 people attending.

The series started with five topics but since has been pared down to four — newswriting, advertising, education reporting and photography.

Advertising continues to be the most attended, accounting for 135 people out of the total participation.

The on-demand training curriculum is still being finalized but members will be able to pick from the current workshops TPA offers as well as suggest a topic.

To schedule a workshop contact Ed Sterling.