Workplace
Success Stories - Best Practices 2002
Recognition
Strategies for a Diverse Workforce
|
Practice
Name: Training & Development (Fin. Aid) |
Workplace
Issues Addressed: |
Description
of the practice
This program began in 1994. It provides opportunities and financial
support for over 70 employees at all levels of the organization to
supplement their skills and pursue interests by furthering educational
goals. Staff are encouraged to take courses related to their positions
to further their personal career goals, or in pursuit of personal
growth and enrichment.
Benefits
of adopting the practice
The
sharing of training stories inspires others to seek training opportunities.
It creates a supportive environment for all, a sense of ownership,
and a feeling that the departmental leadership can recognize and
respond to individual needs. Staff put the new skills acquired
to use in the unit. Participating staff share their stories in
public forums and their peers and supervisors can see what a difference
it's making in their lives. This program meets the needs of a
diverse workforce in the following ways: There is staff input
in process and decisions; it is inclusive (there is broad and
diverse committee representation from all units); all employees
are eligible to take advantage of this program.
How
this practice works
This
department has committed to provide funding for this program regardless
of the budget situation in any given year. A committee with representation
from all units in the department meets several times a year to
consider educational and training requests. Any employee is eligible
to apply and can request any type of training that would supplement
professional skills and personal enrichment courses that further
long-term professional and personal goals. Priority is given to
career development-based requests, but managers and supervisors
support training and development activities that serve--but are
not limited to--the immediate needs of the office. Brown bag lunches
are held several times a year for participating staff to share
with peers and supervisors why they decided to go back to school
and what they got out of the experience. Graduates are celebrated
with cake and cider.
What
you need in place to replicate this practice
1)
Strong senior management support for the program. 2) A commitment
that funding will be provided regardless of the current budget
situation. 3) Encouragement and support from supervisors for staff
to pursue training and development activities. 4) A committee
that meets on a regular basis throughout the year to review and
approve staff requests for training and development support, to
evaluate new training opportunities and to share those opportunities
with staff.
Tangible
improvements to the department as a result of adopting this practice
Staff frequently use knowledge gained as a result of training
opportunities, such as web page-design or database management,
to update, streamline, or otherwise improve office processes.
The sharing of success stories by individuals who have participated
in the program has been inspirational to other staff. The brown
bag lunches and public celebrations for graduates create social
experiences so people can meet others in different units, and
boost morale.
Why
this practice was so successful and is worth replicating
The
Director writes: "It is our belief that training and development
activities enhance the workplace by providing immediate skills
and in less tangible ways by contributing to the participant personal
growth and satisfaction." An employee writes: "In the summer of
2000, I started the course work to obtain a Master's in Counseling
Degree from CAL State Hayward. I will graduate in June 2002, thanks
to the help of this program, which has consistently paid for half
of my tuition and books. Also, all of the committee members have
been extremely supportive of me in my academic pursuits and the
management has been wonderful about allowing me to have a flexible
schedule and the time needed for my education. As a re-entry student,
it was very difficult to return to school, and the financial &
emotional support that the program provided have made the difference."
Related policies/guidelines:
(1)
Policy
50: Professional Development.
(2) Policy 51: Reduced Fee
Enrollment.
(3) Guide
to Managing Human Resources, Chapter 11: Employee Development
& Training.