University of Nevada Cooperative Extension is offering free landscaping trainings taught in both Spanish and English. The workshops, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service through the Nevada Division of Forestry, are designed to enhance employability skills and increase job retention.

"These three-hour classes are very informative and designed to teach both new and experienced workers," said Cooperative Extension Urban Integrated Pesticide Safety Program Assistant Melody Hefner. "The goal is to help landscape workers, including those who speak English as a second language, increase their chances of employment by teaching them a variety of landscaping skills and concepts, along with other practical skills."

The workshops will be offered at the Washoe County Cooperative Extension office, 4955 Energy Way, Reno, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., Wednesdays April 20 - May 11. Topics include:

- April 20: Hands-on Pruning
- April 27: Planting Techniques
- May 4: Pesticide Safety
- May 11: Integrated Pest Management

Participants will receive a certificate for each class taken. The trainings will also include materials focusing on improving English and math skills, meeting job expectations, paying attention to details, and practicing safety and worker protection. They are open to both public and private employers, and to the general public. For certified pesticide applicators, two of the workshops will provide continuing education credits, which are required to maintain certification. Certified Arborist continuing education units have been applied for through the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture for all four trainings.

Those interested in attending can register online at https://2016hispaniclandscapetraining.eventbrite.com, or by calling 775-787-2000 (Spanish) or 775-336-0247 (English). Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should call at least three days prior to the trainings they intend to attend.