PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Approved April 2010

POLICY

St. Leonard’s Community Services will endeavour to enhance the professional development of staff in order to provide quality services.

The Agency is committed to providing staff with the opportunity for continuous professional development by encouraging and subsidizing career-oriented training. The Agency also encourages staff participation at workshops and professional organizations related to Agency business.

PROCEDURE

All permanent staff are encouraged to partake in career-oriented training which may be paid for in part or in full by the Agency.  Such training will be recommended as part of a performance evaluation and annual objectives. 

Staff interested in taking courses related to the performance of his/her duties and for which they may be eligible for reimbursement must consult his/her Supervisor by submitting an Annual Professional Development Proposal per fiscal year (see Appendix 40), prior to enrolment.  Agency approval and the amount of funding will be contingent upon the availability of funds in the Agency staff training budget and approval from the respective Service Director. Approved professional development proposals will be submitted to the Human Resources Manager for filing.

Staff requesting reimbursement for job related training and receiving Agency approval will:

OR

Staff who are provided with the cost of tuition and books will be required to sign a Promissory Note (Appendix 23) stating that they will agree to repay the total cost of tuition and books to the Agency, if they terminate their employment within 2 years of completing the course.  Two years after successful completion of the course the promissory note will be forgiven.

Official documentation such as proof of registration and paid receipts will be submitted along with a cheque requisition and promissory note to the Human Resources Manager for matching to the approved professional development proposal.

Upon complettion of a course, verification of a passing grade must be submitted to the Human Resources Manager for filing.

If the staff requests the cost of tuition and books be advanced at time of registration, the Promissory Note will become due immediately if the course is not taken and a passing grade achieved.

Minimum job qualifications (see Appendix 2) are established for all Agency positions.  These qualifications reflect the minimum education, skills and abilities necessary for successful job performance.

Each Agency job description includes the minimum job qualifications established for the position.

All applicants hired after the effective date of this policy, both internal and external, must meet the minimum job qualifications in order to be considered for vacant positions or transfers.   Those who do not meet the minimum job qualifications will only be considered once the qualifications have been met.

Staff who do not meet the minimum job qualifications for his/her current position will be encouraged and supported by the Agency to obtain the necessary qualifications.  Support will be offered through the Annual Performance Evaluation and regular supervision meetings where professional development goals will be established and progress will be reviewed.  Financial assistance for professional development to meet current job qualifications will be contingent upon the availability of funds in the staff training budget and approval by the respective Service Director.

Staff hired prior to the effective date of this policy who do not meet the minimum qualifications for vacant positions or transfers will be given consideration, provided they are enrolled in a relevant program and have a minimum of 5 years related experience.

Details of all staff training/professional development will be recorded by the Supervisor on the Staff Training Log (see Appendix 14) and forwarded monthly to the Human Resources Manager to be kept in the staff's Human Resources file.

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