The strategy for the next 5-year programme phase of Eumetcal is built on increasing the significance of the working group work. This is partly driven by a decrease in the overall budget and the start of the blended learning courses. There exists a common need for collaboration on training issues in order to train the staff of European NMSs to a common level and to define the expertise required within the topics.

We would like to kindly ask for interested persons to either join or lead a working group to express their interest by 27 April 2007 to the training officer by email (jaakko(dot)karppanen (a) fmi(dot)fi). The envisaged working groups are:

 Satellite meteorology
 Radar meteorology
 Hydrometeorology
 Numerical Weather Prediction
 Aviation meteorology
 Severe Weather
 Climate and Climate Change
 Tools and Technologies for Training

The tasks of the working groups are (with the exception of tools & technologies) to:
 define a syllabus for continuous education and training (CET) of national meteorological and/or hydrometeorological services
 carry out a survey of existing training material
 suggest actions for the completion of the material for the syllabus
 form a partnership for the delivery of a blended learning course

The working group leader will form the working group and will act as the focal point to the Eumetcal Programme Manager. Some funds may be applied from Eumetcal for work and travel associated with the tasks. Through a Eumetcal working group you have the chance to meet experts in your field, to network with new professionals and to define training in your specific area of interest.