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Making CALP PD Work for You

Making CALP PD Work for You
(Submitted by Corrie Rhyasen Erdman, CLN) 

I “landed” in CALP in 2009 somewhat by accident. I was between jobs when a friend sent me a posting for a literacy coordinator position with a small, local non-profit. My first thoughts were: “I have never heard of adult literacy.” “I am not a teacher.” “How would you teach adults to read?” I told her I wasn’t a good fit, but she urged me to try and see what happens, so I applied. To my surprise, I got the job!

Very quickly, I realized I had lots to learn. I attended every training possible. Back then, most PD in CALP was in person, so there were significantly fewer opportunities. Not every training was specifically related to my role, but I went anyways. I always found nuggets that I could adapt to my work. I soaked up the learning. Training expanded my thinking, deepened my understanding of social issues, and built my confidence to step into things I didn’t know I could do, like training volunteers! And so importantly, it connected me to other people doing the same work.

It also made me good at my job. I am grateful that my organization prioritized PD so that I could grow and improve in my work. Without the training I would have moved on to work better suited to my skills. So much of our learning in CALP starts after we’ve accepted the job! It’s specific to community-based adult foundational learning which is distinctly different from K-12 and formal post-secondary learning. This is why PD is so important in CALP.

Things have changed since I started. For one, I’m in a different role where I now get to help people get the PD they need! And today, CALP staff and volunteers have access to so many learning opportunities offered by multiple organizations funded specifically to provide PD to CALP-funded organizations. And while I wouldn’t recommend my old “take everything” approach (there’s simply too much now!), I can recommend ways to find the PD that fits for you and saves you time.

Tips for Making CALP PD Work for You

Ask! Reach out to staff at the CALP PD Providers who support you.

CLN, Alberta Routes, ECALA and Calgary Learns all have staff dedicated to supporting your professional development and know best what is available and suited to your learning needs. Ask for their recommendations in the specific areas you want to learn more.

Get your own personalized CALP PD recommendations.

Complete a short CALP PD skills survey to assess your abilities for your work or volunteer role. Based on your answers, you will receive tailored PD recommendations to help you grow and expand your skills. Explore the CALP PD Success Pathways page on the Portal to access the survey and start discovering learning opportunities that will support you, today.

Choose options that are accessible to you.

Training is not the only way to learn! When a workshop doesn’t fit your schedule, try an e‑learning for self‑paced learning you can work into your busy life. If you need to learn something right away or just want a spark of inspiration, explore the featured resources for quick, just‑in‑time ideas and guidance. You can also join a community of practice to connect with peers and learn alongside others. And don’t forget to browse each CALP PD Provider’s website to see everything they offer (you’ll find the links below in Where to Learn More).

On the CALP Portal you will find these options offered by CLN:

Track your learning.

Keep track of your learning as you go. Your Portal account has a personalized PD Tracker where you can record what you’ve completed and bookmark anything you want to come back to later.

Where to Learn More

Staff Picks: CALP PD Success Pathways (Feb 26)

Join me to explore CLN’s new PD planning tools for CALP staff and volunteers. Complete a quick self-assessment to unlock tailored PD recommendations that build on your strengths, and start using the PD tracker to monitor your growth and progress over time.

Register Now https://calp.ca/events/staff-picks-calp-pd-success-pathways-2026-02-26.htm

Stay in the know.

Sign up for the newsletters from the CALP PD organizations that offer training connected to your goals. These regular communications are the easiest way to hear about new workshops, upcoming training, and helpful resources.

If you’d rather check in on your own time, you can also look at the Professional Development and Resources sections of their websites—they’re always up to date and easy to browse.

Alberta Routes https://albertaroutes.norquest.ca/

ECALA https://www.ecala.org/learning-opportunities/pd-calendar/

Calgary Learns https://calgarylearns.com/pd/

Published on February 23, 2026