1.
Introduction
The Company is committed to the principles of training and developing its staff in line with the current and future needs of the business.
The Company aims to ensure that all employees are in possession firstly of the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to perform their job to a satisfactory standard, and then to develop their capabilities and, thus contribution, still further.
In determining whether or not training is appropriate, the Business Plan, Departmental and Individual Objectives must be taken into account.
Further education may form part of the training required to enable an employee to fulfil there role to the required standard. A request for an individual to embark on a Further Education Course may come from the individual themselves or from their Manager.
In view of the differences there can be in relation to cost, mode of attendance, examinations, etc, between Further Education and one-off ad hoc type courses, the following procedure must be adhered to, prior to any arrangements being made:-
2. Scope of the Policy
This policy applies to any form of Further Education, agreed as being appropriate, eg Day Release, Evening Classes, Open University, Flexible Learning, etc.
3. Procedure
A Further Education Request Form (Appendix A) must be completed by the individual and his/her Manager. This must be accompanied by full course and fee details.
The Manager will be responsible for assessing:-
Is the employee a suitable candidate? (e.g. do they have academic ability to undertake the level of training being requested, etc).
Is the course relevant to the employee's job now, or could it be in the future?
Could the course be an asset generally to the Company?
Have the costs been budgeted for this year?
Is the time off required reasonable and would it be feasible?
Having interviewed the employee and made assessment based on the above questions, the Manager will either reject the application, ensuring that the reasons are clearly communicated to the employee, or recommend and pass to the following for authorisation:-
Senior Personnel & Training Officer
Financial Controller
Managing Director
The Personnel/HR Department will co-ordinate any arrangements required but the onus must be on the individual to ensure enrolment takes place.
4. Agreed Costs
If an application for Further Education is authorised, course fees and exam fees should be paid in full, by the Company, unless an alternative approach is recommended e.g. 25%, 50%, etc.
However, the amount paid will be liable for repayment to the Company in the following circumstances:
Unsatisfactory attendance at the college/university
Failure to complete the course of study
Failure to pass exams (following 1 re-sit - the costs of which shall be borne by the employee).
The employee leaves the Company's employment during or within 12 / 24 / 36 [delete as appropriate] months of completing the course of study.
Fees and expenses incurred for Open University Course Summer Schools will not be met by the Company.
5. Agreed Time Off
(All company procedures to be individually negotiated)
Time off to attend Day Release study will be granted, if this is the most effective and available route to the qualification concerned.
Time off for each exam will be granted, including one day of re-sit exams.
Study leave should be taken as annual leave, but Managers may use their discretion to allow a maximum of eg 3 days study leave over and above annual leave taken by employees.
Time off for summer schools will not be granted. This must be taken as annual leave.