The National Weather Service (NWS) has implemented a new Learning Management System (LMS) in June 2007 as part of a Department of Commerce (DOC)-wide Learning Center (CLC). One of the key goals of this LMS was to provide accessible, low-cost training to develop and sustain a world-class NOAA workforce. The NWS produced LMS performance requirements were so well defined they were adopted by NOAA and across DOC learning centers. The NWS team had to convert 80 critical warning and forecast courses to the new LMS in less than 6 weeks.

One of the most critical training capabilities provided by this new LMS was to support the implementation of a new method NWS uses to disseminate its weather warnings, called “Storm-Based Warnings.” One of the first new training courses to be implemented on the LMS, all 1600 NWS forecasters with weather warning responsibilities completed this course during the summer of 2007.

Since then the NWS has led the entire DOC in usage of this LMS. NWS staff have completed over 34,000 courses and accounted for over 46% of DOC completions even though the NWS represents only 12% of the users. This paper will highlight the successes and lessons learned in implementing a LMS. This paper will also highlight how management can use the LMS reporting system as a management tool and emphasize how setting expectations for training and education can result in service improvements to the public.