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National Employee Development Center News

National Leadership Development Program

73 NRCS employees at the GS-12, 13, and 14 levels have applied for the National Leadership Development Program (NLDP). This 15 month training program is a major component in an agency-wide strategic approach to develop leadership talent for the future of NRCS. The application period closed on August 11, 2008.  The 73 nominees represent 18 different job series.

Training for the behaviorial interviewers who will interview the 73 NLDP nominees was held September 10-11 in Denver with ten NRCS participants being trained and September 17-18 in Washington, DC. with 11 NRCS participants being trained. ....more

Fundamentals of Agriculture AgLearn Course

Did you know that with less than seven percent of the world’s land, the U.S. produces 40% of the world soybeans and corn, 20% of the world’s cotton, and 10% of the world’s wheat?  Or that today, less than two percent of Americans work on farms as their primary source of income?

These fascinating facts are part of a new AgLearn course, “Fundamentals of Agriculture,” that is designed so that NRCS employees with limited agricultural backgrounds can understand the players, products, and practices involved in the industry. NRCS employees serve a variety of customers across the nation.  Our primary customers are America’s farmers and ranchers and others associated with the agriculture industry.  That’s why the course “Fundamentals of Agriculture” is so important. The program offers a special emphasis on agricultural input products, production practices, and farm management decision-making.

Both new NRCS employees as well as experienced employees wanting to review their knowledge of the market forces and issues facing today’s farmers can benefit from the “Fundamentals of Agriculture” course.  Why not log in to AgLearn and add “Fundamentals of Agriculture” to your learning plan today!

Competency Models Team

OPM and NRCS are working together to conduct an occupational analysis of critical occupational series identified in the Human Capital Strategic Plan. The competency models developed in the project may be used to support key human capital programs such as selection, career development, and training and performance management. The first use of the occupational analysis information will be used for training and development purposes utilizing AgLearn. The competencies will be used with the Individual Development Plan (IDP) to identify the learning needs of individual employees in their series and grade.

The competency team has completed the Soil Con Tech series (GS-458). Currently, Subject Matter Experts (SME) are testing a pilot of competencies and IDPs in AgLearn. The goal is to have this series active in AgLearn for employees and supervisors by the end of the calendar year. The team is also working on developing competency models for the Soil Scientist series (GS-470) and the Civil Engineering series (GS-810).

 

Flexible Training Accounts and the NEDC FY 09 First Quarter Training Schedule

As of September 30, over 40 units (states, centers, etc) have transferred almost $3 million in end of year funds to NEDC to reserve seats for classes in FY2009. That equates to about 45 classes. Here are the first quarter sessions with the current enrollment:

1. Orientation for New Employees, (NRCS-NEDC-000013), being held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, October 20-24, 2008. Scheduled offering id is 13057. Currently there are 4 enrolled.

2. Civil Rights Compliance in Program Delivery, (NRCS-NEDC-000002), being held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, October 21-23, 2008. Scheduled offering id is 13058. Currently there are 11 enrolled.

3. Supervising For Excellence, (NRCS-NEDC-000011), being held in Nebraska City, NE, November 17-21, 2008. Scheduled offering id is 13055. Currently there are 3 enrolled and 1 waitlisted.

4. Managing For Excellence, (NRCS-NEDC-000010), being held in Albuquerque, NM, December 2-4, 2008. Scheduled offering id is 13051. Currently there are 11 enrolled and 1 waitlisted.

5. Civil Rights Compliance in Program Delivery, (NRCS-NEDC-000002), being held in Atlanta, GA, December 8-10, 2008. Scheduled offering id is 13059. Currently there are 4 enrolled.

6. Managing For Excellence, (NRCS-NEDC-000010), being held in Atlanta, GA, December 8-10, 2008. Scheduled offering id is 13050. Currently there are 19 enrolled and 7 waitlisted.

7. Supervising For Excellence, (NRCS-NEDC-000011), being held in Atlanta, GA, December 8-11, 2008. Scheduled offering id is 13056. Currently there are 17 enrolled.

States that have not reserved training units may waitlist participants for any session in the first quarter.

If course sessions do not fill with states that have reserved training units as of September 30th, participants will be selected from the waitlist on a first come-first serve basis.

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