FAQ
Browse the following FAQ to see if your question is answered. If not, you’ll be directed to a “live body."Class FAQ:
What topics are available through AGTS?
What topics are coming up in public sessions?
How do I find out where a public class is being held?
When you view a class on-line or in the AGTS Class Schedule mailer, the location is listed with the dates and times. Follow this link for the AGTS map page.
How do I bring a class to my organization?
All AGTS workshops on this site (as well as other topics not listed) can be offered on an in-house basis at your organization. This is often the preferred method if you wish to have a topic tailored specifically to your situation or if you have large numbers to train or if you’d like an intact work group attend training together. More. . .
What are the dates and times for a class?
When you view a workshop outline on our website, the dates and times will be listed just below or to the right of the outline. If you have any questions, please contact the AGTS Registrar at 480-967-7544, x 2 (800-970-1270, x2 outside the Phoenix area) or e-mail help@agts.com (we respond to e-mails promptly).
Registration FAQ:
How do I register for a public class?
Find the class you are interested in on the Upcoming Classes page and click on the “register now” link. Follow the prompts from there. If you need help, contact us.
How do I register more than one person for a particular class?
When you get to the registration page for a class, follow the prompts for increasing the number of participants.
How do I pay for a class?
If you are with a member organization we can bill you. If you are with a non-member organization we require payment in advance of the class. Options for method of payment (including payment online) are listed once an enrollment is made.
What if I require special accommodations because of a disability?
If you are covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act and need special accommodation to attend any of our AGTS classes, please let us know at time of registration. We are always happy to provide reasonable accommodation. (Please allow sufficient notice for us to make necessary arrangements.)
How soon/late can I register for a class?
You can register as soon as the class becomes available and as late as three full business days before a class (but we recommend you register early to assure yourself a seat and to reduce the risk of a class being cancelled due to low enrollment).
Are there discounts for multiple enrollments?
Yes. For most public classes, there is one free enrollment for every three regular enrollments in a particular class (some exceptions apply–see individual classes for details). See all 8 possible ways to save.
How will I know if my registration is confirmed?
If a registration is made online, you will be taken to a confirmation page when you’ve successfully submitted your registration, as well as an email confirming your submission. You will also receive a second e-mail confirmation with additional details when your registration has been entered into our learning management system. If you do not receive a final email confirmation within 2 business days after submitting your registration, please contact the AGTS Registrar at 480-967-7544, x2 (800-970-1270 x2 outside the Phoenix area).
Day-of-the-Class FAQ:
Is lunch provided?
We ask that you make your own arrangements for lunch. Lunch breaks are usually one hour. Your instructor will be able to tell you the restaurants in the area.
What if I lose my way on the way to the class?
If you should forget to bring the location information with you (part of your confirmation notification), call in to AGTS (opens at 8 a.m.) on (480) 967-7544, x-2, OR (800) 970-1270, x-2. One of us will help get you to your destination.
What should I wear?
Business casual attire is appropriate. Note: Since room temperatures vary, you may want to bring a light jacket or sweater.
Missed Class FAQ:
What if I have to miss a class in which I am enrolled?
Cancellations must be received three full working days prior to the workshop (Academies and multiple-day sessions require five working days notice prior to the first class). Cancellations after the deadline are subject to the full fee. Substitution of one employee for another can be made at any time. You will be given a cancellation number when you call to cancel. Keep this number handy, it will be your proof of an on-time cancellation. (See below for information on how to make-up a class.)
How do I make-up a class?
If you miss the cancellation deadline and would like to make-up the class (or a portion of a class) contact our registrar to be enrolled in the next available date. You may be charged a make-up fee.
Transcript FAQ:
How do I get a transcript of classes I've taken with AGTS? Is there a transcript fee?
Using your work e-mail, send a request to the AGTS Registrar (registrar@agts.com). Be sure to let us know if you have attended classes under more than one name. Currently we are not charging a transcript fee for records after 1991. Records earlier than 1991 or requests related to YTA programming may incur a $20 fee since those records are not automated.
Credit FAQ:
Are AGTS classes eligible for college credit?
Currently AGTS has an affiliation with three institutions by which many AGTS classes have been pre-approved as eligible for elective academic credit/prior learning credit. See individual class descriptions and hover over the institutions logo for details.
Faculty FAQ:
How are faculty chosen?
Thank you for your interest in AGTS and in learning more about training, facilitation, or consulting for us on a contract basis.
What We Look For
We contract exclusively with experienced trainers, facilitators, and consultants — those with at least 5 years of recent experience. In trainers/facilitators we look for top-notch platform skills and a solid grounding in adult learning practices, group dynamics, and group process. If you are interested in training for us, we require that you have current leader’s guides and participant workbooks for each topic submitted. The workbook should be available on diskette.
We require references and, if you are interested in training work, evaluation summaries from recent classes. Ratings of at least 4.5 on a 5-point scale means you are in the right league.
The Selection Process
Recruitment … We accept applications from individuals who can provide back-up for existing programs or consulting topics. We are also on the lookout for new and pertinent training topics to add to our course catalog.
Screening… should you meet our criteria and we have an identified need, you may be called to arrange an audition.
Audition/Interview … If you are interested in training or facilitation, an AGTS evaluator will assess your platform/facilitation skills in a real-time session. A video taped presentation/facilitation demonstrating your skills may be considered in lieu of an audition. If you are interested in consulting, an interview may be scheduled.
“About AGTS” FAQ:
What does "AGTS" stand for?
We are often asked what AGTS stands for. Years ago we went by Arizona Governmental Training Service because we were formed by local governments (they “went in together” on a training department). In 1985 we started serving the private sector too, so we shortened our name to the AGTS acronym.
What is the "AGTS story?"
AGTS is a nonprofit organization founded in 1980 by a group of small Arizona municipalities that went in together on a “training department.” They collaborated on affordable, customized training–something out of reach to individual organizations.
This innovative solution to a common problem caught the eye and imagination of Dallas Porter-Stowe who joined AGTS as its director in 1984. “I was so impressed by this “out-of-the-box” thinking, I wanted to be part of it!”
Ms Porter-Stowe credits the founders for AGTS’s success. In her words, “They built AGTS to be totally self-supporting and they designed it to insure it stayed close to the customer and remained “start-up agile” in times of change.
AGTS acquired the nickname “Scrappy Survivors” from one of its competitors for its ability to land on its feet after each challenge thrown its way.
Today, AGTS is open to both the public and private sectors and provides a “one-stop-shop” for a broad spectrum of topics.
Have a question we didn't cover?
E-mail: help@agts.com or contact us at 480-967-7544, extension 2, or call 800-970-1270, extension 2 if you are located outside the Phoenix Metro area.