Agenda - Council - 01/23/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I ! I I I I ! .I PC CASE # H RECEIVE INFORMATION ON COMPUTER TRAINING SURVEY & CONSIDER AMENDED EDUCATION AND TUITION REIMBURSEMENT POLICY By: Rhonda Heryla, Human Resources Manager & Kareen Mercader, Intern Background: On October 10, 2000, the City Council gave staff direction to further explore adding. reimbursement of computer training to the existing Education and Tuition Reimbursement Policy. As a method of researching different options, staff sent a survey to 54 municipalJ, ties. The results are summarized on the next page and in the paragaphs below. Observations: Computer Training Is Offered In Most Cities; A Few Offer Training Beyond Job-Related Skills Of the 21 cities that responded to the survey, 20 provide computer training for their employees. Three cities responded that they do provide training beyond job-related skills. Generally it appears training programs utilize a "gatekeeper" to regulate courses for employees. "Gatekeeping" is achieved through prior supervisory approval, a special application for reimbursement, and registration done by Human Resources staff at approved institutions or facilities. One city had also noted it allowed training beyond current job-related skills if it was determined those skills may someday be needed or desirable for a job promotion. Most Cities Offer 100% Reimbursement For Computer Training With a couple exceptions,'most cities pay 100% for computer training. For training not directly related the employee's job, one city noted they reimburse 50-75% ot training depending on the grade received. There was not a uniform answer of a cap to the dollar amount spent on training fbr an employee per year although a couple of cities mentioned it as a budgeting issue. One city noted they pay 100% of the first $1000 of training and 50% of any additional costs beyond the first $1000. Computer Training Centers Appear To Be Used More Frequently Than Self-Paced Materials Of the cities who responded to the survey, computer training centers were more frequently recommended than self-paced materials. One city commented that self-paced materials were not successful and one city noted they were just starting to use Element K. Recommended computer training centers included Anoka County, New Horizons, CompUSA, Science Museum of Minnesota, North Hennepin Community College, Dakota County Tecb2~ical College, and Catapult. The City o f Ramsey's current Education and Tuition Reimbursement Policy basically states that the City will pay 100% of approved job-related, position specific training and will reimburse 50% of an employee's tuition at a post-secondary institution if pre-approved as job-related and a benefit to the City as an employer. (Copy ofcun'ent policy attached.) Although computer trainiug is not mentioncd specifically, it would cmTently be reimbursed 100% if job-related and -271-