Professional Development
Grow as a youth worker through free professional development. Sprockets offers workshops for Saint Paul youth workers throughout the year on a wide variety of youth work topics like program planning, youth engagement, quality practices, and more.
Playworks Play Time Systems - 👉 Register Here
📆Wednesday, June 17th 10a.m. - 12 p.m. 📍North End Community Center
In this hands-on training, Participants learn simple, practical strategies to make playtime feel organized, engaging, and fun for both kids and staff. Together, we’ll explore how to set up, open up, show up, and wrap up playtime in a way that creates clear expectations and meaningful opportunities for participation. Topics include setting up games, equipment, and space with intention, leading strong opening transitions, using positive language and encouragement during play, supporting simple conflict resolution, and ending playtime so kids are ready for their next activity. Playworks workshop are lightly active and ensure participants have ample opportunity to see, learn about, and experience the content. Come ready to play!
Facilitator: Playworks
SEL PQA External Assessor Training-👉 Apply Here
📆Thurs April 30th & Fri May 1st 9-5 (both days required)📍North End Community Center
Join the SQUAD - Sprockets Quality & Assessment Dream Team! *Previous familiarity with the tool or having attended the self-assessment training from the fall preferred.
This training offers youth workers the opportunity to build new skills, expand their professional network, and deepen their own quality youth work practices.
Participants are expected to dedicate approximately 10 hours during the 2026 school year to complete two observations for fellow Sprockets partners as part of the 2026 Activator cycle. These observations contribute to continuous program improvement across the network. Through the training, participants also build the knowledge and skills needed to conduct observations within their own organization, supporting internal quality improvement aligned with their role and organizational goals.
In addition, participants will take part in two meetings throughout the year as members of an ongoing professional learning community with both new and returning External Assessors (the SQUAD).
Participants interested in completing the SEL PQA External Assessor Training but who are not interested in providing observations for other Sprockets partners may purchase a training spot, if space allows, for $450.
Sprockets Learning Cohort-👉 Apply Here
📆3rd Fridays, 9:00am–12:00pm, Sept 2026–Jan 2028; no group meetings June–August 2027
Elevate Your Practice with the 2026–27 Sprockets Learning Cohort
Sprockets is excited to launch our next Learning Cohort designed for Saint Paul youth workers and new supervisors with 1–2 years of direct service experience.
This cohort centers collective healing and deepens understanding of identity, social and emotional learning, trauma, mental wellness, restorative practices, and how broader systems impact youth and youth work.
Facilitated by Julie Richards (Inquire, Decipher, Progress) with coaching support from Shaun Walsh (Co-Create Consulting).
Apply by April 22. Questions? Contact jocelyn.wiedow@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Participants will join a supportive community of peers committed to reflection, equity, collaboration, and continuous growth.
The cohort includes:
- Monthly cohort sessions (3rd Fridays, 9:00am–12:00pm, Sept 2026–Jan 2028; no group meetings June–August 2027)
- Cohort-centered learning grounded in community of practice
- Hands-on, interactive discussions and reflection
- 1:1 coaching sessions and reflection interviews
- A $1,000 stipend
Opportunities to build your professional network and strengthen your resume
Download the FLYER for more details
