Training and education trends and future plans in the National Weather Service

The National Weather Service (NWS) 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. Three years of training records have been analyzed for trends and accomplishments which have been summarized in this paper.

The NWS leads the entire DOC in usage of this LMS. NWS staff have completed over 35,000 courses per year and account for over 40% of DOC completions even though the NWS represents only 12% of the users. This paper will highlight how management has used the LMS as a management tool and emphasize how setting expectations for training and education can result in service improvements to the public.

This paper also address future training trends as the NWS moves forward in implementing NOAA's Strategic Plan to provide Services for 2020. Future trends include greater support for our Partners through decision support services, multidisciplinary work through collaboration with all NOAA components, social science and societal impacts.