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ICF Level 1 Training

Vanguard Professional Coaching Certification

ICF Level 1 Course


This ICF Level 1 Training Course is your path toward gaining your ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential!

The Vanguard Professional Coaching Certification (VPCC) offers two ICF Level 1 Courses. We offer an 80 hour course and a 61-hour executive course where students learn the art of professional coaching and employment of the Vanguard XXI coaching model. Upon program completion of course requirements students may pursue credentialing as an International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach. 


This course is for leaders in any capacity who desire to improve themselves and their organization through professional coaching.


Course participants include a diverse mix of leaders from a variety of industries and backgrounds to include business and corporate leaders, human resources professionals, leadership consultants, counselors, military leaders, college and professional athletic coaches, mental and behavioral health professionals, and entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their own coaching business. We look forward to including you!

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Future Training Course Dates:

VPCC 2-25 Cohort – May 12-16, 2025 (Columbus, GA)

VPCC 3-25 Cohort – September 15-19, 2025 (Columbus, GA)

VPCC 4-25 Cohort – November 03-07, 2025 (Columbus, GA)

Level 1 Training Facilitators & Mentor Coaches

Dr. Anthony Randall is a transformative leader and the founder and president of Vanguard XXI, a leadership development and executive coaching company. Anthony has a rich background in teaching, training, and executive coaching. He is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and proprietor of three ICF coaching courses. He’s authored three books, including his international award-winning and best-selling book, Practicing Excellence: Restoring Civility, Faith, and Trusted Leadership to the Public Square.

Phil McKinney II has spent over 30 years in ministry, higher education, and leadership, working in discipleship, family ministry, coaching, leadership development, spiritual direction, and pastoral counseling. He is a professional ICF-certified (PCC) life, leadership, executive, and mentor coach and is a certified practitioner of DISC, Motivators, EIQ, and Prepare/Enrich assessment tools. He holds four degrees (BA, MA, MACS, and PhD) and is a published author.

Mike Rauhut thrives when serving leaders and teams focused on development and growth. His organizational, executive, and life-transition coaching experience includes for- and non-profit chief executives, business owners, senior executives and their teams, and military leaders. A published author, storyteller, and teacher, Mike speaks professionally and recently concluded creating a coaching program and adjunct teaching at the Army War College. He holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential and is a Halftime® and International Coach Academy® PCC.

Court Whitman is a Professional Leadership Coach credentialed by the International Coaching Federation with over 2,000 hours of one-on-one Coaching experience. Court thrives in situations where he is called upon to coach people and organizations that are complex, have challenging problems to solve, and passionately pursue meaning, fulfillment, and results. He holds a bachelor's degree in International Studies and a diploma in Organizational Leadership, and an Executive & Professional Certificate in Leadership Coaching for Organizational Well-being.

Kim Zovak is an experienced coach, trainer, and leadership consultant working globally with non-profit leaders and organizations. Her passion is helping leaders multiply their impact by reproducing more effective leaders and supporting organizations to build strong leadership development cultures that better achieve their goals. She holds an MCC credential with the International Coaching Federation and is a credentialing assessor, mentor coach, and coaching supervisor.

Level 1 Training Hours

The training course is designed around the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Core Competencies (see https://coachingfederation.org/credentials-and-standards/core-competencies) to support coaches to meet the required 60 hours (or 80 hours for Army credentialing) of Coaching Education needed for a ACC credential.

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More Information

Level 1 Training

The Vanguard Professional Coaching Certification (VPCC)  is our 61 or  80-hour ICF Level 1 course that prepares you to become an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC). The course is designed to develop professional coaches through the Vanguard XXI Coaching Model. Once you graduate our course and meet the 100 hours of coaching requirement, you may apply for ICF ACC using the Level 1 path and take the exam. Ten hours of mentor coaching and performance evaluation are included in our curriculum. This course is ideal for leaders in any capacity who want to enhance their coaching and leadership skills to improve themselves and their organizations.

Army Leaders!!! Earn your Army Coach PDSI A3B and A4B! 
Our course aligns with the requirements to earn TWO Army Coach PDSIs!



VPCC Key Benefits

  • ICF Credentialing Pathway: The VPCC is an ICF Level 1, 80-hour program that meets the requirements for participants to pursue the ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential and the CCE Board Certified Coach (BCC) credential.
  • Comprehensive Coaching Training: Learn and apply the Vanguard XXI 5-Step Coaching Model while mastering ICF Coaching Competencies and Ethical Standards to become a highly effective professional coach.
  • Flexible Learning Format: The course includes virtual and in-person instruction, making it accessible to professionals from different industries and locations.
  • Holistic Leadership Development: 
    Participants grow as transformational leaders using David Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle, ensuring deep learning through real-world experiences, reflection, and hands-on application.
  • Mentor Coaching for ICF Credentialing: Includes 10 hours of mentor coaching to refine coaching techniques and ensure participants are prepared for the ICF ACC credentialing process.
  • Practice Makes Permanent: Participants will have the opportunity to practice the ICF coaching competencies and the Vanguard XXI coaching model through several coaching triads during the course.


Course Highlights

  1. Embodying a Coaching Mindset
  2. Practice Makes Permanent: Vanguard XXI Coaching Model & ICF Competencies
  3. Coaching Through Conflict
  4. Cultivating Trust & Safety
  5. Transformational Coaching
  6. Evoking Awareness
  7. Coaching Strategically
  8. ICF & BCC Coaching Ethics
  9. Coaching with Emotional Intelligence (Includes Korn Ferry ESCI EQ360 Assessment)
  10. Forging A Coaching Practice and/or Internal Coaching Program
  11. IDP/PIP Performance Coaching

Mentor Coaching

Group Mentor Coaching will be provided during each of the five intensives for a total of seven (7) hours. The remaining three (3) hours of 1:1 mentor coaching can be scheduled during or after the course with the mentor coach.


Assessment

The Level 1 assessment requires submitting one (1) recording and transcript lasting no more than 60 minutes. Instructions will be provided. The assessment can be submitted at any time after the course or within a year if the course start date.

Level 1 Training Fees

The per-participant cost for the 61-hour course is $6875. The cost is $7365 for the 80-hour course. This includes all applicable fees for training, mentor coaching, recording assessment, etc.

 

Level 1 Training Registration

Use the button below to register online. Please email Mike Wall at mike@vanguardxxi.com to set up a call for more information.


Register Now!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is eligible to enroll in the Vanguard Professional Coaching Certificate (VPCC - ICF Level) Course?

ANYONE! All you need is a desire to become a better leader with hopes to become a ICF credentialed coach.


2. How long is the training, and what is the time commitment?

The training consists of 61 or 80 hours of coursework, including synchronous and asynchronous learning, group mentor coaching, triad peer coaching, and one-on-one mentor coaching. Participants should plan to engage fully in the scheduled sessions and complete assignments/assessments.


3. How is the training delivered?

The training is a hybrid format with virtual, conducted via Zoom, and in-person. There are 2-3 synchronous days, self-paced asynchronous work, 4-5 in-person days, and virtual mentor coaching sessions (Group and Individual).


4. What are the key topics covered in the training?

The course focuses on advanced coaching techniques aligned with the 8 ICF Core Competencies. Topics include higher-level coaching postures, psychological safety, emotional intelligence, effective communication, presence-based coaching, team/group coaching, and so much more.


5. What is the purpose of the triad peer coaching sessions?

Triad peer coaching sessions provide additional practice and reinforcement of the skills learned. Participants will coach and receive feedback from mentor coaches and peers to refine their techniques.


6. What are the requirements for completing the program?

Participants must attend the required training hours, complete asynchronous work, participate in mentor coaching, and submit a recorded coaching session and transcript for assessment.


7. What certification will I receive upon completion?

Graduates will receive a Level 1 certificate, which counts toward the 60 coaching education hours required for an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential.


8. How does mentor coaching work?

The course includes 7 hours of group mentor coaching during the intensives and 3 hours of one-on-one mentor coaching, scheduled individually with a mentor coach.


9. What is the cost of the training?

The total cost for the 61-hour ICF Level 1 training is $6875 USD and the 80-hour ICF Level 1 training is $7365 USD. Additional credit card or bank processing fees may apply.


10. How do I register for the training?

You can register online by CLICKING HERE. If you are interested in future training opportunities, you can sign up to be notified.


11. What happens if I miss a live session?

Attendance is crucial, but limited makeup options may be available upon request and may incur additional fees. ICF requires face-to-face interaction with facilitators, so participants should plan to attend all sessions.


12. When can I submit my Level 1 assessment?

The required coaching assessment can be submitted any time after completing the course. Instructions for submission will be provided during the training.

Clay

Business Owner & Special Operations Veteran

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The course was absolutely excellent! A diverse group of individuals from different walks of life, different occupational sectors, and personality types. The course structure is seamless in progressing from the fundamentals and foundations of coaching to having full blown coaching sessions with your peers. 


The Vanguard coaching framework compliments the ICFs core competencies in a way that really helped (and continue to help) me lead a very genuine session with the depth and authenticity required to really get to the depth where progress and value to the client lie. While I was excited to learn how to be a great coach and become a better leader in my current occupation and organization, I did not expect the course to facilitate as much personal growth as it did. Not only did I leave feeling motivated to coach internally to my organization and start an LLC for coaching externally, I left more self aware and better equipped to have engaging discussions with my family as well as difficult and dynamic conversations at any level of my work place. I also became much more present during conversations and much more capable of relating tone of voice/inflection and body language to deeper emotional or mental pillars to aid in over coming the obstacles of solving complex problems. I remain in contact with a number of the other graduates of my course and we continue to encourage and assist one another in our coaching journeys. It’s been very rewarding to coach and help others progress in reaching their goals.


Lastly, all of the folks involved in the course, students and instructors alike, were great to get to know and learn from.

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The course includes two assessments, allowing students to better understand themselves and future coaching clients.

Assessments include the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Conflict Style Report and the Korn Ferry Emotional & Social Competency Inventory (ESCI/EQ360). Students walk away with increased awareness and emotional intelligence. Click here to learn more about our assessments.


Following in-person instruction, each cohort continues to develop their coaching skill and mastery of ICF core competencies through 10 hours of virtual mentor coaching. Vanguard XXI's Mentor Coaching process and purpose is to prepare participants to coach at the ICF ACC level. Click here for more information about mentor coaching. 


Students receive a comprehensive curriculum workbook for their personal journey and reflection, and Vanguard SWAG to include a notebook, pen, sticker, and copies of Dr. Anthony Randall's books.


Additional reading and audio/visual resources are provided for self-development and learning through our Vanguard XXI Forge digital learning platform.  VPCC cohorts will communicate together on this platform with one another, course facilitators and mentor coaches. All homework assignments and requirements re submitted through our platform creating a safe and efficient digital learning experience. 

Additional Highlights

A Leadership Coaching Model

The course provides a leadership coaching model and process for trusted professionals to coach and lead in physically present, hybrid, and remote global workplaces within today’s VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) world in accordance with International Coaching Federation Competencies and Ethics. 

Board Certified Coaches

Graduates may pursue Two (2) Coaching Credentials following this course. The ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential and the CCE Board Certified Coach (BCC) credential. Vanguard XXI is an ICF Member and current credentialed course provider for an ICF 24-hour CCE and a CCE credentialed provider for Board Certified Coach training. 

Great Partnerships

Vanguard XXI is a proud partner of The National Infantry Museum (NIM), the #1 ranked free Museum by USA Today. With professional corporate meeting space, catering, and a world-class leadership back drop of leadership in history, we have partnered to offer the course at the NIM. Close to historic downtown Columbus, GA, and Ft. Moore, Georgia, you have access to world class lodging, 5 star dining, entertainment, and a small town feel. We also offer the VPCC in person and virtually domestically and internationally.

Amazing Professional Potential

This course is approved by the United States Army for Active Duty personnel to utilize Credentialing Assistance (CA).


Upon completion of 100 coaching hours and passing the ICF Exam, students may receive their International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach (ACC) Credential. 

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To start your journey with Vanguard XXI, simply follow the link below. It's time to unlock your potential, and embark on a rewarding journey of personal and professional growth. Vanguard XXI can help you enhance your skills, foster your strengths, and reach new heights of success.

Request a Free Consult or Schedule a Coaching Session Today!
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