Training

The Federal Government has high standards and high expectations for its employees. To help achieve and maintain these high standards, all Federal employees are required to complete certain training. Some training (such as the initial Ethics Training) is mandatory for all new employees and must be taken once the new employee begins their USDA employment and is assigned an AgLearn account. Some trainings are not mandatory but provide important information for you to better perform your job duties. Other trainings provide important information regarding cyber security which we encourage you to take before you start your Federal employment so that you are prepared on your first day.

MANDATORY ETHICS TRAINING REQUIRED BY LAW ONCE EMPLOYEES ENTER ON DUTY

• Mandatory Initial Ethics Training: Here at the USDA we pride ourselves on the fact that our employees work diligently to meet both the letter and the spirit of the ethics laws and regulations. In order to become well-versed on these rules and regulations, ethics training is essential and is required by law (5 C.F.R. Section 2638.304). All new employees nationwide must complete "Orientation Ethics" training after their arrival at USDA. This Initial Ethics Training is available in AgLearn.

INFORMATION SECURITY AWARENESS TRAINING YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PRIOR TO ENTRY ON DUTY

• Information Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior Training (ISA)
  
  You can take the course "USDA Information Security Awareness" online and take the test to obtain your certificate of completion. You can take the course on or before your first day. Passing the test is required to access your email and other computer systems in USDA.
  • If you do not have an Agency AgLearn account yet, and your Agency requires this course and to be completed before showing up for duty, please access the online course and take the test. You will have the opportunity to receive a certificate of completion after passing the test. Please go to USDA Onboarding - Login (courseavenue.com) for information on how to access the course.
  • Alternatively, you can also take the paper-based version of the course. There is no certificate for the paper-based version of the course; you must take and pass the test on paper. Contact your HR specialist or agency contact for information on how to take the paper-based version of the course.

RECOMMENDED TRAINING ONCE EMPLOYEES ENTER ON DUTY

• Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Lite Course Training is available in AgLearn and recommended for employees, contractors, affiliates and stakeholders.
• Freedom of Information Act Training is available via AgLearn, and recommended for employees, contractors, affiliates, and stakeholders.