Training in the NOAA Satellite Proving Ground – Getting Users Ready for Rapid Changes

The GOES-R program is building a new series of satellites that will be used to support NOAA‘s environmental analysis, warning and prediction operations. User training for NOAA staff and education of NOAA's many partners are critical to the success of current and future satellite programs. The critical role of training and education are clearly articulated in NOAA's Strategic Plan as the need to establish and maintain a “World Class Workforce” and in the National Academy of Science report: “Weather Services for the Nation: Second to None” and NWS “Weather Ready Nation”. NOAA and its partners face many challenges to keep pace with rapid technological changes and to keep users informed and trained to utilize these tools. If we fail in these critical user readiness efforts, NOAA and its partners face the prospect of being unprepared for the next Environmental Emergencies! To ensure that this does not happen in the area of satellite services, NOAA launched an active program called the GOES-R Proving Ground. The GOES-R Proving Ground began in 2008 and grew rapidly to include several critical programs involving many operational offices across NOAA. A critical component to the continued success of the Proving Ground is that the training and related user readiness activities were effectively integrated into the program from the start.

This presentation will review the plans and current status of the NOAA satellite training program. The presentation will highlight the key steps needed to ensure that training and user readiness remains an integral part of the GOES-R Proving Ground program. The satellite training review will point to the ongoing success of working closely with the Proving Ground and look to the future by linking with the new NWS Operations Proving Ground.

NOAA is taking several steps to prepare its staff and partners for rapid changes as satellite products, dissemination and computer display systems evolve: - Continue expanding the GOES-R Satellite Proving Ground to include more data and products. - Expand cooperative training programs to provide materials that reach a broad audience. - Use innovative distance learning approaches that include interactive multimedia modules and simulation exercises. - Incorporate the Performance Development Series concept that focuses on user performance to ensure that new products and tools are used effectively in the forecast, watch and warning programs - Build and enhance partnerships with key stakeholders as part of Weather Ready Nation for enhanced Decision Support Services for: Government agencies at all levels with a focus on emergency managers, Academia with Cooperative Institutes and Programs, Universities, Commercial sector including media; International community especially WMO, EUMETSAT and other satellite providers; And keep training active by engaging users via monthly satellite training sessions and weather briefings and by providing access to education services (including testing, evaluation and certificates) using online libraries of training materials.