United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 North Carolina Go to Accessibility Information
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Refresher and Small Group Technical Training

NRCS technical assistance covers a broad range of technologies and natural resource areas.  Extensive training is needed to keep employees and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) partners abreast for the science and technology within the NRCS mission.

Quality technical assistance, that meets NRCS standards, requires appropriate job approval authority and often requires one or more certifications.  Certifications include but are not limited to: 

  1. Certified Conservation Planner (CCP)
  2. Nutrient Management
  3. Pest Management
  4. Job Approval Authorities (by Practice)
  5. Prescribed Burning (Certified Burner)
  6. Technical Specialist (Soil & Water Conservation Commission Certifications)

There are a number of specific formalized courses identified that provide the training foundation for these certifications.  In addition to these formal training opportunities, NRCS in North Carolina is also making available two other opportunities to acquire training on more narrowly defined topics to address specific training needs: (1) Small-Group Training and (2) Refresher Training

 Small Group Training

Small group training is designed to provide field- or office-based hands-on training to meet locally-specific needs.  Small group training is generally focused on topics that are difficult to teach in larger auditorium or classroom style settings.  Small group training will be built around completing a real task. 

Refresher Training

Refresher training is designed to provide short (1-2 hours), “how-to” updates on specific topics, and will be presented through net conferencing or teleconferencing.  Each session will be available to the entire state; however, participation will be optional.  Refresher training will be scheduled through an electronic application procedure.  Any employee or partner may request to participate in scheduled refresher training once they have been initialized in the NC Refresher Training Database.  Employees or partners may also indicate interest in refresher training that is available but not scheduled.  Refresher Training Items will be updated in the database and scheduled as needed.  Recertification credits will be granted as appropriate.

Last Modified 09/15/2009



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