​The Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice’s (Council on Linkages) revised Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals (Core Competencies) have recently been integrated into TRAIN, the nation’s most comprehensive learning management system for professionals who protect and improve the public’s health. Through TRAIN, public health professionals can search and access courses and trainings that meet specific competency criteria, enhancing their knowledge, skills, and delivery of services to the community.

The Council on Linkages is comprised of leaders from 19 national public health organizations. Since 1992, the Council on Linkages has been furthering academic/practice collaboration to assure a well-trained, competent workforce and strong, evidence-based public health infrastructure. In order to support workforce development within the public health community, the Council on Linkages developed the Core Competencies, a set of skills desirable for the broad practice of public health. The Core Competencies reflect the characteristics that staff of public health organizations may want to possess as they work to protect and promote health in the community, delivering Essential Public Health Services.

Revised in May 2010, the updated Core Competencies were designed with three tiered levels of intended mastery: 

• Tier 1 – entry level professionals;
• Tier 2 – supervisors and managers; and
• Tier 3 – senior managers and CEOs.
  

The Core Competencies provide a starting point for academic and professional organizations to understand, assess, and meet training and workforce needs and are being used by health departments and public health professionals across the country.

The foundation of a healthy community begins with a well-prepared public health workforce. Join TRAIN and become involved with the Council on Linkages and help contribute to a stronger public health workforce.