Forging the Future for Trail Technicians: What We’ve Learned, What’s Next, and Why It Matters

Webinar Outline

Join us for an engaging webinar celebrating the first year of NWACC’s Trail Technician program—a groundbreaking step in professionalizing the trail industry. We’ll reflect on key lessons learned, highlight student successes, and share our vision for growing the next generation of skilled trail workers. Learn how our collaborative work with American Trails, the Professional TrailBuilders Association (PTBA), and NOCTI led to the creation of our curriculum and the Trail Technician Level 1 certification—now a national benchmark for workforce development in this sector. Hear how faculty, students, and industry partners worked together this year to meet a critical workforce need while raising the standard for trail planning, construction, and stewardship. Whether you're an employer, educator, or outdoor enthusiast, this is your chance to see how NWACC and its partners are blazing a new path forward—one that values skill, equity, and a shared commitment to the future of our trails.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will learn about the process of creating a national competency exam for a new industry and how the Trail Competency Framework served as the base for this accreditation.
• Participants will learn about the importance of standardizing training for an industry, how NWACC's curriculum is based on the Trail Competency Framework, and how they can join NWACC's innovative program through hybrid and online classes.
• Participants will learn about Apprenticeship Programs and the Department of Labor.

Trail Competencies

• Trail Construction

• Crew Management
• • Crew Training

• Program Administration
• • Education and Public Outreach

Relevant Trail Types

General. All trail types are relevant.