Training for forecasters is divided into three programmes - Foundation, Professional development and Specialist.

• The Foundation Programme is designed for those people who are new to forecasting. At the end of the foundation programme, the student is capable of operating in any forecasting environment without the support of more experienced staff. This programme provides a complete set of fundamental forecasting competencies that all forecasters require.

• The Professional Development Programme is designed for those who are able to work in the forecasting environment independently of others, but who need to develop some of the core forecasting competencies further.

• The Specialist Forecaster Programme is designed for those who have a need for forecasting skills that are not required of all forecasters generally.

The Meteorological Support Programme is designed for support staff providing a range of training from a very basic understanding of the work of a Meteorological Service to training for WMO Class III or IV staff.

All our courses cover any necessary new theory, but they are all essentially practical courses based upon an assessment of the current competencies that practising forecasters need.

This is a programme of two parts: Part 1 provides training in the necessary synoptic meteorological knowledge and fundamental forecasting skills; Part 2 then completes the training by enhancing the forecaster's understanding of the behaviour of the atmosphere, and by encouraging the individual to think independently.

The forecaster is also required to demonstrate his or her skills in a 'viva voce' session, which may be undertaken as a separate session. The courses have been designed as a training package that builds the necessary competencies forecasters need in today's technologically equipped offices.

Each part builds on its predecessor to provide a complete training programme. Ideally, Part 2 should be taken about six months to a year after Part 1, when the new forecaster will have gained practical operational experience with the support of other experienced staff, and can be supervised until Part 2 can be taken. Where relevant, Part 2 training can also be taken without Part 1, to complete basic training undertaken elsewhere.

The whole programme is assessed, and certificates are awarded following successful completion of each part.

Foundation Training Programme course dates

This programme consists of four short courses, which are independent of each other:

• Satellite Imagery Interpretation
• Numerical Weather Prediction
• Summer or Winter Mesoscale Modelling
• Probability Forecasting

They are aimed at a specific forecasting interest. None of the courses lasts longer than five days. Certificates of attendance are issued.

Professional Development Programme course dates

The specialist programme consists of a Global Meteorology course and a Wave Model Interpretation course. The Global Meteorology course consists of six two-day courses that each focus on weather in different parts of the world. They can be taken individually or as a set. Both specialist courses are aimed at those who have the extra responsibility to forecast in international areas or for the marine environment.

Specialist forecaster course dates

This programme is aimed at non-forecasting staff ranging from a basic Introduction to Meteorology Course, which may be useful background to office support staff, to the Meteorological Refresher Course, which is aimed at staff whose duties require a basic general understanding of synoptic weather and the use made of numerical weather prediction output. These staff would typically be WMO Class III or IV. Some knowledge of synoptic meteorology is necessary for this refresher course.