Agenda - Council - 10/10/2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PC CASE #,~ CONSIDER AMENDING POLICY ON EDUCATION AND TUITION REIMBURSEMENT By: Rhonda Heryla, Human Resources Manager Background: On May 13, 1997, the City Council adopted the attached policy on Education and Tuition Reimbursement. Basically the policy states that the City will pay for 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. Recently Councilmember Hendriksen met with the City Administrator, Assistant Ci.ty Administrator, and Human Resource Manager to further discuss this policy and consider adding language to the policy outlining paid computer training as an additional benefit for City employees. During discussions the following points were made: As with any business or municipality, technology provides ways to improve processes and helps employees to be more efficient. Learning which tools to use and how best to use them is a part of making these improvements. Computer training should be available to all City employees and those who already have computer knowledge can always learn more. Any computer training employees take part in will only help them in their jobs and may lead to new ideas of how to accomplish job-related tasks and result in a better finished product. Sending employees out for training during regular business hours is often difficult due to workloads and coverage in certain departments. The City could encourage employees to pursue computer training on their own time by paying for courses taken in the evenings or on a weekend. Employees would need to receive prior approval for the training as stated in the existing Education and Tuition Reimbursement Policy. Training in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, or Powerpoint would all be allowed even if not directly applicable to the employee's current position because it was felt that any additional computer knowledge would "spill over" into other work areas and create more valuable employees. Beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses are offered for each of these software packages. The costs and length of class times vary. In reviewing different brochures from local community colleges or education centers, it appears they typically run between $125 and $300 for Microsoft courses and meet two or three evenings for four hours each night. -05-