National Park Service-Training Centers

The National Park Service has a long history of specialized training needs. One of the services earliest training program was Ranger Skills, a 9-week course held at the Grand Canyon. Over the years, the variety of skills has increased and the bureau has created centers to meet those needs.

Centers

Horace M. Albright Training Center
Located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the Albright Training Center provides resources, context, and stimulus for personal and professional growth in support of the National Park Service mission. [National Park Service, Training, and Development Events catalog (October 2001 through September 2002]

Capital Training Center
The Capital Training Center is located in Washington D.C. It serves as the headquarters for the National Park Services Employee Development program and provide training to the park employees in the Great Washington D.C. area. Their programs emphasize Planning, Design, and Construction; Recreation and Conservation Program; Information Management; Specialty Field; and Organizational Development. [ibid; NPS catalog] The Capital Training Center also coordinates special training programas, including USDA’s Graduate School, the Albright-Wirth Grant Program Team; Team Leadership Program; Executive Potential Program; Executive Leadership for Middle Level Employees; New Leader Program; and the Aspiring Leader Program. [ibid; NPS catalog]

NPS/Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) is an interagency federal police training academy run by the U.S. Department of the Treasury in Glynco, Georgia. All federal agencies with police powers train at FLETC. The National Park Service has a full time staff on duty to manage the Park Ranger trainees at the site. State and local Law Enforcement agencies can make use of the facility. The Center teaches the full range of Law Enforcement skills, from taking fingerprints to tracking financial transactions, riding patrol protecting VIPs, searching a crime scene, and securing a building. [ibid; NPS catalog]

Historic Preservation Training Center
The Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) teaches the craft skills that created the fabric of America. Trainees come to Frederick, Maryland to learn historic carpentry, masonry and a myriad of other skills needed to maintain the structures of America's heritage. [ibid; NPS catalog] [http://home.nps.gov/applications/hafe/training/centers2.cfm?Center_code=HPTC]

Stephen T. Mather Training Center
The National Park Service established Stephen T. Mather Training Center in 1964 to teach the interpretive skills, administrative skills and a variety of skills not being taught at the Albright center. Located in Storer College in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, the facilty makes use of the opportunities presented by having the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park surrounding the facility. [ibid; NPS catalog]

National Conservation Training Center
The National Conservation Training Center, located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia is the newest training center used by the National Park Service. Established through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the center was created to advance the nations knowledge of the nations natural resources. [http://training.fws.gov/]

References