ARTICLE

34.

Section 1 - General Provisions

A. The Department and the Union agree that the training and development of employees is of critical importance in carrying out the mission of the Department. In recognition of this, the Department will provide training and career development opportunities to employees of the bargaining unit. The Department is responsible for ensuring that all employees receive the training necessary for the performance of the employees' assigned duties.

B. The parties agree that there may be reorganization, technological changes, RIFs, or other major actions which could have an impact on job security. In recognition of this, the Department will make every effort to provide training which would allow employees to move into existing or projected vacancies, consistent with budget and staffing restrictions.

C. Nothing in this Section is intended to interfere with applicable merit promotion requirements or Title 38 career-advancement procedures.

Section 2 - Local Training Committees

A. There shall be a joint local level Training and Career Development Committee which will be authorized to reach joint agreements and make joint recommendations regarding training and career development programs.

B. The committee will consist of Management and Union representatives. The committee will meet as needed to address training issues such as:

1. Orientation sessions for new employees,

2. In-service or on-the-job training to improve the employees' capability to perform their current jobs,

3. Training for career enhancement,

4. Cross-training and rotational assignments,

5. Funding for training,

6. Upward mobility, and

7. Tuition Support.

Section 3 - Training Costs

A. The Department will pay all expenses, including tuition and travel, in connection with training required by the Department to perform the duties of an employee's current position or a position to which an employee has been assigned.

B. Depending upon the availability of funds and training priorities, the Department will also pay appropriate expenses for work-related training that will:

1. Improve an employee's ability to perform his or her current job or a job the employee has been selected to fill through merit promotion, or

2. Increase an employee's knowledge or skills in connection with career growth or advancement opportunities.

3. Approval of such training may also be contingent upon an agreement by the employee to share any costs with the Department.

C. When resources for training are limited, approval for training funds will be based on fair criteria that are equitably applied.

Section 4 - Reassignments and New Assignments

When employees are reassigned to new positions or assigned new duties in connection with their current positions, the Department will provide the training necessary to enable employees to perform all required duties.

Section 5 - Scheduling Training

A. When training required by the Department is conducted during an employee's regularly scheduled work hours, he will be granted excused absence to attend.

B. When training is approved under Section 3(B) of this Article, the Department will make a good-faith effort to grant excused absences from work or make schedule adjustments to accommodate an employee's training or educational program.

Section 6 - Training Information

A. The Department shall inform employees, at least annually, about Department training opportunities, policies, and nomination procedures. Upon request, the Department will advise individual employees of training opportunities that meet identified educational or career objectives.

B. The Department will maintain up-to-date information about training courses, programs, and seminars conducted or sponsored by the Department or available from some other source. This information shall be accessible to employees and publicized in such a way as to provide adequate notice to interested employees.

Section 7 - Notification

Employees will be notified of approval or disapproval of training requests as soon as possible but in every case prior to the starting date of the training. Should an employee's request for training be disapproved solely for lack of funds, the employee may resubmit a request for training as funds become available. That request will be given first consideration but may be disapproved due to higher training priorities. If not selected for training, the employee will be notified of the reasons.

Section 8 - Educational Programs and Continuing Education

A. As resources permit, the Department shall work with educational institutions and other training sources to develop opportunities for employees to participate in long-term educational programs.

B. The parties recognize that a block of time for pursuing continuing education is beneficial to the Department. Each facility is therefore encouraged to grant a minimum block of time to employees for pursing continuing education opportunities.

Section 9 - Local Negotiations

Procedures which ensure fair and equitable training opportunities are appropriate subjects for local bargaining.

Section 10 - Tuition Support

A. Employees who are eligible for receiving tuition support shall be informed of the avilability of reimbursement funds and shall be given the opportunity to apply for the reimbursement funds.

B. When a change in qualifications for a position mandates an additional requirement for an employee already holding that position, the Department will pay for the education needed for the employee to meet the new qualifications unless the employee is grandfathered in or taken out of the position.

C. Tuition support for upward mobility is a proper subject for local bargaining.

D. Bargaining unit employees shall have an equitable opportunity to compete for the receipt of available tuition support funds.

E. All employees will be timely provided with information on the avilability of funds for tuition support and on the processes by which an employee may apply for any available funds.