Alabama Bulletin No. AL360-8-16

Training Needs for NRCS Employees

Training needs for FY2009 are being solicited from all current NRCS employees. Mandatory courses do not have to be listed. Please indicate whether the need for the specific training is High Priority (required to do your job, example--Conservation Planning for New Employees), Medium Priority (needed to increase performance of your job, example--CNMP training, Grazing Lands Training, etc.), or Low Priority (not needed to perform your current job).

NEDC Training Needs

The Employee Development Center (NEDC) is requesting that States submit their projected training needs for FY2009 by August 2008. Attached is a listing of courses from NEDC. Put your requests on the attached Excel spreadsheet in the section for NEDC courses.

In-State Training Needs

If you have training needs that are traditionally met with in-state training please list these needs on the Excel spreadsheet in the section for In-State Training Needs. This would include such training as Conservation Planning for New Employees, Pond 101, Surveying 101, grazing lands, wildlife, or forestry training, etc.

Graduate School USDA

Courses for "The Graduate School USDA (Fee Based)" is listed in AgLearn.  Login and click on Catalog on the menu across the top. Courses will be listed on the left hand screen at the bottom of the page. Please list course requests in the section listed Graduate School USDA.

Specific Training Requests

If you have a special training need for groups of 20 or more, those requests should be submitted by August 1, 2008. Please indicate the course title, the number of employees to be trained, at least two dates when training would be most convenient, and a location best suited for conducting the class.

The costs associated with delivering a specific course request will be a shared responsibility of the State and NEDC. If your request can be accommodated and is approved the following will apply.

States will be responsible for:

• Travel expenses of instructors
• Audio/visual equipment
• Providing transportation for participants field trips
• Ensuring the course is at full enrollment for course capacity
• Coordinating course scheduling with NEDC specialist

NEDC will be responsible for:

• Reserving and paying for the training room/facility
• Coordination of travel with instructors
• Course materials
• Coordinating course scheduling with State Training Officers

Once a request has been approved and the date/location is selected, the hosting state will be asked to submit course participant names to NEDC.

Prerequisites

It is your responsibility to ensure all prerequisites for a training course have been met prior to enrolling in a session. Course descriptions can be viewed at the NEDC website.

If you have questions or comments please contact Paul Swenson (334-887-4543). All Excel spreadsheets should be sent electronically to Kim Pridgen (334-887-4573) by August 1, 2008. Requests received after this date may not be included in the Training Plan for FY 2009.

/s/

ZONA BEATY
ASTC for Operations and Administration

Attachments:
NRCS-NEDS Courses
Training Needs Excel Spreadsheet