United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
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Georgia's Employee Development Web Page

Introduction

Georgia has begun the process of developing standard individual development plans (IDP) for positions across the state.  These IDP’s will assist supervisors and employees in determining priority training needs.  These IDP’s are for guidance only and should be considered dynamic in nature.  Mandatory courses are listed on the first page of each IDP.  Beyond the mandatory courses, it is not mandatory that employees take each and every course listed in their discipline.  There may be courses, other than the ones listed in the IDP, or on-the-job training that will fill the need identified.  It is imperative that the employee and supervisor review and discuss each of these courses to determine if the employee already has this type of instruction in their background or if it is necessary to take the course.

 What is Training?

Training is defined as transferring information so employees will have the necessary tools to perform his/her job requirements. Training is done through a multitude of methods, including but not limited to: formal classes such as NEDC or contractor training courses, informal training such as that done within the agency or by another agency, on-line self-paced courses, classroom courses, on-the-job training, which may include a detail to another office either in-state or out-or-state, correspondence courses, etc.  All training is to be documented for each individual employee.

Core Training Process 

Each course is identified with a recommended timeframe.  Review lower grades to identify courses the employee has not yet taken in addition to reviewing the courses for the current grade level.  When filling out the IDP, you will need to place a priority for each employee’s training needs for the current fiscal year.  Also, on this form is a place to identify the year the training is planned and the year it is actually taken or has been taken.  In the comments area you can identify the training source if different from that listed on the form.  At the end of the IDP, list any courses specific to the employee that are not included in the core training.  This may include a one-time specialty course that both the employee and supervisor deem to be a priority training need.

 Supervisors Responsibility:

  • Establish an Individual Development Plan (IDP) with each employee prior to June 15 for the upcoming fiscal year that will begin in October
  • The IDP will be the common guide each employee is to use
  • Meet with the employee at least every six months if not more often to review the training plan and make any revisions as necessary
  • In conjunction with the employee, establish adequate time for the on-the-job training to occur

Employee Responsibility: 

  • Meet with his/her supervisor prior to June 15 of each year to establish an IDP

  • The IDP that is derived from the core training plan will be the common guide each employee is to use

  • Meet with his/her supervisor at least every six months to review the established training plan

  • Recommend changes to the IDP in discussion with the supervisor

 Training Process

  • The ASTC-FO will prioritize all the training needs in their respective administrative area and submit to the state training officer by July 1 of each year
  • Each leadership team member will prioritize the training needs for their respective employees and submit to the state training officer by July 1 of each year
  • The training officer will review the prioritized training needs and provide a recommendation back to the leadership team members prior to submission to the National Employee Development Center (NEDC)
  • A training budget will be developed prior to the beginning of the fiscal year for review and approval by the State Conservationist

A list of sample IDP documents are below. Please download and customize to suit your training needs. Individual Development Plans for other positions will be added as they become available.

District Conservationist IDP (60 KB) Microsoft Word document

RC&D Coordinator IDP (44.5 KB) Microsoft Word document

Soil Conservationist IDP (119 KB) Microsoft Word document

NEDC Course Catalog & Enrollment

NEDC Course Enrollment Partner Employees

Training Officer G. Elaine Stephenson
  Management Analyst
  706-546-2059
  elaine.stephenson@ga.usda.gov
   
   
   
   
   

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