Summary of Training Issues
March 28, 2006
Overview
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EPA’s Reorganization Plan & Effect On
Training
National Training Strategy
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Asked to Recommend Role EPA Would Play
Training Funding
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MJOs
Training Providers (Universities & CARB)
EPA - Background
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Education & Outreach Group
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Operated Air Pollution Training Institute (APTI) Since the
early 1970s
Offered APTI Courses & All Related Activities
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supported by 105 funds
Provided Distance Learning Through Satellite Broadcasts
Administers Forward-Funding 105 Grants
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6 MJOs ($968,850)
8 Area Training Centers
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7 State Universities ($720,410)
CARB ($304,940)
Organized Various Conferences (Annually or Ad Hoc)
Background—Benchmarking Study
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EPA Conducted a Benchmarking Study
(2004/05)
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Improve the overall value and effectiveness of the
program
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Conduct Regular Needs Assessments with more
open-ended questions and post course feedback
Create a feedback process for monitoring course
evaluations and improving courses
Review current courses, shelving unnecessary
courses, determining priority updates needed, and
identifying the most important courses for transfer to
new media
Background—Benchmarking Study
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Benchmarking Study Recommended
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Improve the overall value and effectiveness of the
program
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Systematize course development process
Evaluate opportunities for web-based training and
feasibilty
Focus more on distance learning (especially using
internet)
EPA - Future
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OAQPS Reorganization Plans
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Eliminating Education and Outreach Group
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Reducing Training Activities/Support
Future Emphasis will be on Outreach
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New programs/policies but limited in scope
Strong Negative Reaction
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Staffing support for training will be minimal, with some
contractual assistance
Hold EPA’s Feet to the Fire
Provide Funding Support for Training
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$395,000 (most frequently heard amount)
National Training Strategy
National Training Strategy
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STAPPA/ALAPCO and OAQPS Leaders
Meeting (Sept 2005)
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Focused on Current/Upcoming Issues of Key
Importance
How S/A and OAQPS can work together on these
issues
EPA Announced Reorganization
Background
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STAPPA/ALAPCO Boards asked the Joint Training
Committee to develop a National Training Strategy
to provide a framework for future training.
The JTC Subcommittee included:
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Chairs: Mary Boyer, CARB; Arturo Blanco, Houston,
Eddie Terrell, OK; Steve Friedman, OH; Harold
Garabedian, VT; Casie Lord, Dayton
Scott Mathias, OAQPS; Zena Aldridge, NETI; Matt Loesel,
EPA Region 6
Susan Wierman, MARAMA; Charla Rudisill, NESCAUM;
John Hornback, SESARM; Dan Johnson & Jeff Gabler,
WESTAR; Amy Royden-Bloom, STAPPA/ALAPCO
Summary of National Training Strategy
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Vision
Goals
Elements of Strategy
Options for Implementation
Recommendations
Next Steps
Vision: National Training Strategy
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A national training program that enables
local, state, and federal air quality
professionals to develop the knowledge,
skills, and abilities they need to…
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effectively contribute to attaining and maintaining
healthy air quality,
quickly learn new job responsibilities, and
maintain, enhance, and update skills in their
existing areas of responsibilities.
Goals: National Training Strategy
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Understand the training needs of local, state,
and federal air quality officials on an on-going
basis
Provide training opportunities that meet the
needs of local, state, and federal air quality
professionals utilizing effective and costefficient training methods.
Utilize course material that is up-to-date,
complete, and easy to use.
Goals: National Training Strategy
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Ensure that training is effective by using
instructors who are recognized subject matter
experts, communicate clearly, and are
effective teachers.
Enhance the delivery of training through the
use of existing, new, and emerging
technologies where appropriate.
Elements of Strategy
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Needs assessment
Curriculum development
Course content development/updating
Course format development/updating
Training program administration
Resources
Communication
Options for Implementation
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What National Coordination is Needed?
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What can be Accomplished Regionally?
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STAPPA/ALAPCO, EPA (OAQPS, NETI, OTAQ)
MJOs or EPA Regional offices
What are the Roles of State/Local Agencies?
What are the Options for Training Providers?
Recommendations
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Conduct Needs Assessment: Conduct periodic
formal needs assessments supplemented by
informal assessments. Continue collaborative
national/regional/state/local effort. Development of
training plans by state/local agencies would facilitate
needs assessment.
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Identify Curriculum/Course Path: To help
states/locals develop training plans, update the
recommended course path for major job categories
(permits, enforcement, etc.)—Seen as EPA HQ
responsibility with assistance from JTC and other
STAPPA/ALAPCO Committees.
Recommendations
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Update Course Content: Cooperatively set priorities
in response to needs assessment and course
evaluations. Basic courses seen as EPA
responsibility for updating, with advanced courses
and regionally-specific courses/workshops
developed collaboratively by training
providers/MJOs/EPA/state & local agencies.
Training providers handle lab courses with grant
support. Resources for updating are uncertain.
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Continue Workshops/Information Exchange:
Developed as needed by EPA, STAPPA/ ALAPCO,
and MJOs.
Recommendations
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Consider Course Format Development/Updating:
Form a JTC subcommittee to provide
recommendations on courses to be reformatted for
blend of web and in-person delivery.
 Recognize courses may need to be offered in
more than one format (e.g., self-instructional and
in-person).
 Utilize information from CARB and NETI
evaluations and practices.
 Resources for development are uncertain.
Recommendations
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Maintain Course Master Calendar: EPA or
STAPPA/ALAPCO must maintain nationally with
input from all training schedulers/providers.
STAPPA/ALAPCO will explore creation of webbased system to allow direct input of updates.
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Coordinate Course Scheduling: Coordination
through JTC to spread offerings through the year
and across regions, particularly for basic courses.
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Use Training Evaluations: A standard evaluation
form has been developed. EPA should consolidate
responses and communicate results. Results will
influence course scheduling and updating.
Next Steps
Obtain Feedback on Draft Strategy
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STAPPA/ALAPCO Boards of Directors and
Committee Chairs in January
Scott Mathias and Eddie Terrill to discuss
Strategy with EPA management.
Present strategy to entire S/A JTC at March
Meeting
WESTAR Air Directors’ Meeting
STAPPA/ALAPCO membership April Meeting
Next steps, Continued
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Implement the Strategy
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Subcommittee to develop final strategy &
transition plan after hearing from above.
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Subcommittee to explore options for conducting pilot
project examining course formatting options
Subcommittee to develop curriculum for various
positions
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Training Funding
Training Funding
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EPA Announces that Training Grants must be
Awarded Competitively
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Multi-Jurisdictional Organizations (MJO)
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6 MJOs – $968,850
Use 105 Funds
SO FAR MJOs have Demonstrated Co-Regulators Status, and
as a result Exempt from Competition
Training Providers (Universities & CARB)
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8 Training Providers – $1,025,350
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7 State Universities -- $720,410
California Air Resources Board (CARB) -- $304,940
Use 105 Funds
Training Providers’ Funding
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EPA Decided that Training Providers’ Funding
Must Awarded Competitively After 2006
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If Funds are Awarded Directly to Training
Providers
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S/L would have LITTLE say in determining Award
Criteria
S/L would have NO say in who would be awarded
Funds could Potentially Awarded to Any Entity
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Certain Level of Uncertainty (Associated Risk)
Training Providers’ Funding
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Funding Award Alternatives
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Training Providers
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STAPPA/ALAPCO
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Cross-Fingers & Hope for Best
Very Reluctant
MJOs
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At Least Two Have Language in Charter that would
need to be changed
WESTAR & NESCAUM have provided favorable
feedback