New Mexico State University is committed to providing a safe and harassment-free environment for its students, employees, and visitors, as well as equal employment opportunities in all areas of occupation. It is also committed to protecting the assets of the university, students, employees, and individuals connected with the university. A key component in achieving these commitments is ensuring that employees are trained on their responsibilities related to applicable state and federal codes, laws, and regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Strategic & Essential Training (SET) Program
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Policy/Enrollment | Technical/Browser/Access | Training Central Procedures | Other
Check out the SET Overview in LinkedIn Learning.
Policy/Enrollment Questions – General
** Training Central is moving to a cloud-based platform in early 2025. Due to the implementation, 2025 Annual SET enrollments will be delayed and Onboarding SET is temporarily being moved to Canvas. **
In a nutshell, all NMSU employees must complete SET certifications. If you have an NMSU email address, Aggie ID number, and receive a paycheck from NMSU, you must complete SET certification.
Q. Who do I contact if I have questions about policy, training content, or requirements?
a. Each training module includes contact information for questions regarding policy or the content contained in the module.
b. Additionally, you can contact the Center for Learning & Professional Development with questions about training requirements. Call (575) 646-7444 or e-mail trainingcentral@nmsu.edu.
Q. Do I need to complete the training if I am about to retire, a student employee, or a temporary employee?
a. The Strategic & Essential Training program is mandatory for all employees employed at the time of enrollment regardless of hours worked or future termination date.
b. Training is required for student employees (this includes Graduate Assistants, Teaching Assistants, and other student workers like student aides and work-study students).
c. Temporary employees (including adjunct faculty) must complete SET requirements during their contract term. Training Central accounts may be deactivated at the end of an employee’s contract.
Q. I’m an affiliate. Why do I need to complete the SET program? I’m not employed by the university.
a. In accordance with ARP 2.55 – NMSU Recognition of Affiliated Individuals, affiliates are included in the SET certification(s) as of January 2021. Affiliates are not university employees; however, they are responsible for NMSU resources, have access to student records, and in some instances, oversee the work of NMSU employees. This close relationship between the university and its affiliates requires that we ensure everyone is aware of the regulations, policies, and procedures of the university.
Q. I work at one of the community colleges. Why do I need to complete the SET program?
a. All NMSU employees, regardless of location, need to complete the SET certifications. Community colleges are part of the university system and employees are considered NMSU employees.
Q. I’m a new/returning employee. When will I be enrolled in the SET program?
a. New employees will have their Training Central accounts activated within 48 hours of their start date (assuming Banner employment record is complete and NMSU email account has been set up). New/returning employees will be enrolled in the appropriate SET certification(s) following activation of the account. New/returning employees will receive an email notification from Training Central with instructions for completing the training. If the current SET certification(s) have already been completed, they do not need to be repeated.
Q. I’ve taken training on these subjects in the past. Do I still need to complete the new modules?
a. Yes; SET modules are required annually for all employees. We appreciate you taking the time to complete the training in the past and hope that this refresher will help reinforce what you previously learned. Some modules may contain a pre-test that allows you to by-pass the module content if you pass the pre-test. Due to regulations and risk to NMSU for non-compliance, not all modules will contain this option.
Q. What happens if I don’t complete the training by the deadline?
a. Supervisors will be monitoring employee’s completion of the training and will determine appropriate action if the training is not completed on time. The SET program is a condition of employment in accordance with NMSU ARP 6.89.
Q. I am on approved leave (FMLA, Sabbatical, Military, etc). Do I need to take the training?
a. We can’t waive the requirement for mandatory training – all NMSU employees are required to complete annual training in accordance with NMSU ARP 6.89. However, those on approved, long-term leave (FMLA, Sabbatical, Military, etc) will not be required to complete the training until they return to work. The Training Central system does not have a mechanism for granting extensions to mandatory training so employees and supervisors will continue to receive notifications regarding incomplete training. Note: this does not apply to those on annual or sick leave.
Q. Why do new employees have to do two (2) SET certifications?
a. The Annual SET Certification covers specific topics and is updated each year based on university risk assessment, state & federal regulations, and trending data. In addition to these topics, there is general information that new employees need to know when they begin work with NMSU. The Onboarding SET Certification allows new employees to hit the ground running without the need for existing employees to repeat general information each year.
Q. Do returning employees have to take the Onboarding SET Certification?
a. No. Employees who previously worked for NMSU and have a break in service do not need to complete the Onboarding SET Certification. They will be enrolled in the Annual SET Certification when they return to work if they have not previously completed the current year’s training (Note: the Annual SET Certification year runs January through December).
Q. Why are employees who are hired after the November 1st black-out period not enrolled in the Annual SET Certification?
a. The Annual SET Certification year runs from January to December. Employees hired within one (1) month of the Annual SET certification close date are not enrolled in the current year Annual SET certification to prevent them from being enrolled in two (2) Annual SET certifications at the same time and to allow time for the updating and implementation of the upcoming Annual SET modules. New employees will be enrolled in the Onboarding SET certification year-round with no black-out dates.
Technical/Browser/Access Questions
New to Training Central? Watch a short video on Navigating Training Central or Completing Online Training.
Refer to the Training Central Help Documents for additional information. Help can be found on the left menu, footer, and home page portlets in Training Central.
Q. Who do I contact if I have technical or browser issues while taking the training?
a. Technical support is being addressed by the ICT Help Desk. Call 575-646-1840 or e-mail help@nmsu.edu.
Q. I tried to launch the training and get a blank screen (or nothing happens).
a. Security settings in your browser are preventing the page from displaying properly. Pop-up blockers should be turned off. Additionally, ensure your Java application is up to date. You can download the latest Java version. Please review the recommended settings for Training Central.
Q. I’m off campus. Do I need to use VPN?
a. If accessing Training Central from off-campus (e.g. home computer), NMSU VPN is not required but is highly recommended. Please review the recommended settings for Training Central.
Q. I’m on campus and using a wireless connection. Can I still access the training?
a. Yes. If you are using a campus wireless connection, use the AggieAir-WPA2 wireless. This is an encrypted connection and is more secure than AggieAir and AggieGuest. AggieAir and AggieGuest should only be used with the NMSU VPN.
Q. I’m traveling and can’t get to a computer.
a. You have 30 days from the time you are enrolled in the Annual SET Certification to complete the training (14 days for Onboarding SET Certification). Training can be accessed from non-NMSU computers by logging in through NMSU VPN.
Q. I don’t have a computer where I work. I need help accessing the training. What are my options?
a. The Center for Learning & Professional Development has computer labs available for employees in the Las Cruces area. Please call ahead at (575) 646-7444 to schedule a time to use the lab. Employees outside the Las Cruces area should contact your local IT or administrative support areas for assistance.
Q. I completed the training but my scores were not recorded in Training Central.
a. This error can be caused by a number of factors including closing your browser window before being instructed to do so. If the training module is showing in your Current Registrations listing in Training Central, you will need to re-launch the module. You will be prompted to continue where you left off. If you closed the module after taking and not passing the quiz, your training will show as “unsuccessful” in your completed training. You will need to take the training again. Email trainingcentral@nmsu.edu to have the module added back to your registrations.
Training Central Procedural Questions
New to Training Central? Watch a short video on Navigating Training Central or Completing Online Training.
Refer to the Training Central Help Documents for additional information. Help can be found on the left menu, footer, and home page portlets in Training Central.
Q. My Current Registrations shows a Certification and training modules. What is the certification? Do I need to do anything?
a. You do not need to do anything with the certification listing. All updates to the certification are automatic. You will also see each training module listed in your Current Registrations list. As you complete the modules, they will be removed from the list, and your certification status will be updated. Once you have completed all the training modules, the certification will be marked complete and will be removed from your Current Registrations list. The certification is a way for you (and your supervisor) to ensure all modules are completed in the time allotted.
Q. How do I complete training?
a. You can launch the training by logging into Training Central – https://trainingcentral.nmsu.edu. Click on My Training on the menu. You’ll see the training listed in your Current Registrations. Click the Launch button to start the training. The training module will show in a new browser window.
Q. I took the training. How can I verify it is marked completed?
a. In order for the training to be marked complete, you must view all slides in the module and correctly answer the questions in the training. Do not close your browser until instructed to do so in the module.
b. You can verify the training modules were successfully completed by viewing My Training>Completed Trainings in Training Central.
c. You will receive email notification when the certification is completed (all modules successfully completed).
Q. What notifications will I receive?
a. The following notifications will be sent via Training Central related to the Annual SET Certification.
- Upon enrollment in certification (employee only)
- Two (2) weeks prior to deadline (employee & supervisor)
- Marked as overdue – day 30 (employee & supervisor; reminders will be sent every two weeks until completed)
- Upon completion (employee & supervisor)
- Request for feedback (employee); a reminder to complete a module evaluation will be sent three (3) days after completion. Please provide us your feedback so we can continue to improve the training.
b. The following notifications will be sent via Training Central related to the Onboarding SET Certification.
- Upon enrollment in certification (employee only)
- 1 week prior to deadline (employee & supervisor)
- Marked as overdue (day 14) (employee & supervisor)
- Upon completion (employee & supervisor)
- Request for feedback (employee); a reminder to complete a module evaluation will be sent 3 days after completion. Please provide us your feedback so we can continue to improve the training.
c. Supervisors will be able to monitor their employees’ progress through the Team Dashboard in Training Central.
Q. I am a supervisor. How do I verify my employees have completed the training?
a. You can verify the training modules were successfully completed by viewing your employees’ training records in your Team Dashboard in Training Central. For more information on how to use the Team Dashboard, complete the Using the Training Central Team Dashboard web-based training or visit the Help Documents in Training Central.
b. You will receive email notification when your employees are approaching their deadline, have completed the training certification, or are overdue.
Q. I completed the training. Now what? Do I need to print my certificate of completion?
a. Thank you for completing the training requirements. It is not necessary to print a certificate of completion or notify the Center for Learning & Professional Development (CLPD) of completion. Your supervisor has access to your training records in Training Central and has also received notification regarding your completion.
Other Questions
Was your question answered? If not, let us know.
The Center for Learning & Professional Development (CLPD) is responsible for implementing and administering the Strategic & Essential Training program. Questions related to the training program can be directed to trainingcentral@nmsu.edu or by calling (575) 646-7444.
If you have questions regarding the training content, please refer to the contact information included in the training module.