Common use of PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM Clause in Contracts

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM. Section 1. The Employer and the Union recognize the need for a Professional Educational Program that can be made available on an equitable basis to all employees in this unit. a. In this Article, in-service training refers to that training conducted by the Employer on the Employer's premises to assist employees in acquiring the knowledge and skills to perform their duties as professional employees more effectively. b. Out-service training may include workshops, conferences, correspondence courses and seminars which are conducted by professional, private, or public organizations and which are directly related to the employee's current job duties. Section 3. In order to facilitate attendance of employees on an out-service training basis, the Employer agrees to extend to each employee within the unit four educational leave days per contract year for attendance at out-service training approved by the Employer in accordance with Section 2b above. In addition, the Employer agrees to reimburse each employee for the amount actually expended not to exceed $875 per contract year for the period July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2007, for out-service training within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. However, the Employer retains the right to deny requests for out-service training if equivalent programs are offered at a location closer to the employee's worksite. The Employer, in its sole discretion, may send employees to out-service training at a location outside of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The cost of such training shall be deducted from the allowance provided under this Section. Reimbursement for expenses under this Article shall be in accordance with the Commonwealth's Travel Expenses Regulations (Management Directive 230.10). Section 4. Full-time employees shall be eligible for tuition reimbursement up to a maximum of Section 5. Reimbursement under Section 4 above will be made for courses which are approved in advance by the Employer and will be in accordance with procedures established through the Directives Management System and by the Agency involved. The Employer will respond to requests for approval of courses at the local level within five working days and at the State level within ten working days. Section 6. Reimbursement will be contingent upon successful completion of the course (attainment of a grade of "C" or better). Employees who terminate employment before the end of a course will not be eligible for reimbursement. Section 7. Part-time employees who are scheduled to work at least 50% time shall be eligible for educational leave and out-service training in accordance with Section 3 above and tuition Section 8. Employees who use both continuing education and tuition reimbursement benefits in the same contract year shall be subject to a combined use limitation of $2,000 per contract year. However, the amounts used for continuing education shall not exceed the amounts set forth in Section 3 of this Article. Section 9. An employee who does not receive a response within the time limits set forth above or who is denied benefits under Section 3, Section 4 or Section 8 and believes that such denial is unfair or arbitrary or otherwise contrary to the intent of this Article shall immediately report the incident to the Union. The Union will report the complaint to the appropriate Agency and to the Office of Administration. The Employer, within five working days, will investigate and respond to the complaint and take corrective action if warranted. This procedure will be in lieu of recourse to the grievance procedure. General problems in administration of this Article will be subject to meet and discuss at appropriate agency levels. Section 10. Requests for out-service training which have been denied for failure to meet the criterion established in Section 2b of this Article shall, at the request of the Union, be reviewed by a joint committee. The committee shall consist of one member to be appointed by the Union, one member to be appointed by the Office of Administration (the Chief Negotiator or designee) and the Agency Labor Relations Coordinator or designee. Section 11. Leave and expense benefits referred to in this Article are a part of what is provided in Management Directive 535.3, Out-Service Training, and are not intended to add to or to limit what is stated in that directive. Section 12. Should at any time during the life of this Agreement, the State Board of Nursing attach mandatory continuing education requirements to Registered Nurse the Employer agrees to open Section 3 of this Article for discussion. Section 13. The Employer and the Union recognize the need for in-service educational programs for unit employees and the need for expansion and improvement in many existing programs. Where programs are implemented, improved or expanded, the Employer will meet and discuss with the Union on the quantity, quality and subject matter. Section 14. Nothing in this Article shall prevent the Employer and the Union at a work site from developing and conducting accredited continuing education programs for employees at the work site, nor shall anything in this Article prevent such employees from voluntarily using reimbursement available to them under Section 3 to fund such program(s). Section 15. The Employer agrees to provide the Union a semi-annual report regarding employees' utilizations of the leave and expense reimbursement benefits provided in this Article.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM. Section 1. The Employer and the Union recognize the need for a Professional Educational Program that can be made available on an equitable basis to all employees in this unit. a. In this Article, in-service training refers to that training conducted by the Employer on the Employer's premises to assist employees in acquiring the knowledge and skills to perform their duties as professional employees more effectively. b. Out-service training may include workshops, conferences, correspondence courses courses, on-line (internet-based) training and seminars which are conducted by professional, private, or public organizations and which are directly related to the employee's current job duties. Section 3. In order to facilitate attendance of employees on an out-service training basis, the Employer agrees to extend to each employee within the unit four five educational leave days per contract year for the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2019 for attendance at out-service training approved by the Employer in accordance with Section 2b 2.b. above. In addition, the Employer agrees to reimburse each employee for the amount actually expended not to exceed $875 1000 per contract year for the period July 1, 2003 2016 through June 30, 20072019, for out-service training within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. However, the Employer retains the right to deny requests for out-out- service training if equivalent programs are offered at a location closer to the employee's worksite. The Employer, in its sole discretion, may send employees to out-service training at a location outside of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The cost of such training shall be deducted from the allowance provided under this Section. Reimbursement for expenses under this Article shall be in accordance with the Commonwealth's Travel Expenses Regulations (Management Directive 230.10). Section 4. Full-time employees shall be eligible for tuition reimbursement up to a maximum of Section 5. Reimbursement under Section 4 above will be made for courses which are approved in advance by the Employer and will be in accordance with procedures established through the Directives Management System and by the Agency involved. The Employer will respond to requests for approval of courses at the local level within five working days and at the State level within ten working days. Section 6. Reimbursement will be contingent upon successful completion of the course (attainment of a grade of "C" or better). Employees who terminate employment before the end of a course will not be eligible for reimbursement. Section 7. Part-time employees who are scheduled to work at least 50% time shall be eligible for educational leave and out-service training in accordance with Section 3 above and tuitiontuition reimbursement as provided in Section 4 above on a pro rata basis. Section 8. Employees who use both continuing education and tuition reimbursement benefits in the same contract year shall be subject to a combined use limitation of $2,000 2,125 per contract yearyear for the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2019. However, the amounts amount used for continuing education shall not exceed the amounts amount set forth in Section 3 of this Article. Section 9. An employee who does not receive a response within the time limits set forth above or who is denied benefits under Section 3, Section 4 or Section 8 and believes that such denial is unfair or arbitrary or otherwise contrary to the intent of this Article shall immediately report the incident to the Union. The Union will report the complaint to the appropriate Agency and to the Office of Administration. The Employer, within five working days, will investigate and respond to the complaint and take corrective action if warranted. This procedure will be in lieu of recourse to the grievance procedure. General problems in administration of this Article will be subject to meet and discuss at appropriate agency levels. Section 10. Requests for out-service training which have been denied for failure to meet the criterion established in Section 2b 2.b. of this Article shall, at the request of the Union, be reviewed by a joint committee. The committee shall consist of one member to be appointed by the Union, one member to be appointed by the Office of Administration (the Chief Negotiator or designee) and the Agency Labor Relations Coordinator or designee. Section 11. Leave and expense benefits referred to in this Article are a part of what is provided in Management Directive 535.3, Out-Service Training, and are not intended to add to or to limit what is stated in that directive. Section 12. Should at any time during the life of this Agreement, the State Board a Commonwealth of Nursing Pennsylvania regulatory agency attach mandatory continuing education or certification requirements to Registered Nurse registered Nurses, the Employer agrees to open Section 3 of this Article and Section 15 of Article 16 for discussionbargaining. Section 13. The Employer and the Union recognize the need for in-service educational programs for unit employees and the need for expansion and improvement in many existing programs. Where programs are implemented, improved or expanded, the Employer will meet and discuss with the Union on the quantity, quality and subject matter. Section 14. Nothing in this Article shall prevent the Employer and the Union at a work site from developing and conducting accredited continuing education programs for employees at the work site, nor shall anything in this Article prevent such employees from voluntarily using reimbursement available to them under Section 3 to fund such program(s). Section 15. The Employer agrees to provide the Union a semi-annual report regarding employees' utilizations of the leave and expense reimbursement benefits provided in this Article. Section 16. The parties agree to establish a work group during the term of this Agreement to review and consider, and devise as may be agreed upon, potential alternatives to the training and educational entitlements currently afforded by this Article.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM. Section 1. The Employer and the Union recognize the need for a Professional Educational Program that can be made available on an equitable basis to all employees in this unit. a. In this Article, in-service training refers to that training conducted by the Employer on the Employer's premises to assist employees in acquiring the knowledge and skills to perform their duties as professional employees more effectively. b. Out-service training may include workshops, conferences, correspondence courses courses, on-line (internet-based) training and seminars which are conducted by professional, private, or public organizations and which are directly related to the employee's current job duties. Section 3. In order to facilitate attendance of employees on an out-service training basis, the Employer agrees to extend to each employee within the unit four educational leave days per contract year for the period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012, and five days per contract year for the period July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015 for attendance at out-service training approved by the Employer in accordance with Section 2b 2.b. above. In addition, the Employer agrees to reimburse each employee for the amount actually expended not to exceed $875 per contract year for the period July 1, 2003 2011 through June 30, 20072012, and $1000 per contract year for the period July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015, for out-service training within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. However, the Employer retains the right to deny requests for out-service training if equivalent programs are offered at a location closer to the employee's worksite. The Employer, in its sole discretion, may send employees to out-service training at a location outside of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The cost of such training shall be deducted from the allowance provided under this Section. Reimbursement for expenses under this Article shall be in accordance with the Commonwealth's Travel Expenses Regulations (Management Directive 230.10). Section 4. Full-time employees shall be eligible for tuition reimbursement up to a maximum of Section 5. Reimbursement under Section 4 above will be made for courses which are approved in advance by the Employer and will be in accordance with procedures established through the Directives Management System and by the Agency involved. The Employer will respond to requests for approval of courses at the local level within five working days and at the State level within ten working days. Section 6. Reimbursement will be contingent upon successful completion of the course (attainment of a grade of "C" or better). Employees who terminate employment before the end of a course will not be eligible for reimbursement. Section 7. Part-time employees who are scheduled to work at least 50% time shall be eligible for educational leave and out-service training in accordance with Section 3 above and tuitiontuition reimbursement as provided in Section 4 above on a pro rata basis. Section 8. Employees who use both continuing education and tuition reimbursement benefits in the same contract year shall be subject to a combined use limitation of $2,000 per contract yearyear for the period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. The combined use limitation will be increased to $2,125 per contract year for the period July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015. However, the amounts used for continuing education shall not exceed the amounts set forth in Section 3 of this Article.the Section 9. An employee who does not receive a response within the time limits set forth above or who is denied benefits under Section 3, Section 4 or Section 8 and believes that such denial is unfair or arbitrary or otherwise contrary to the intent of this Article shall immediately report the incident to the Union. The Union will report the complaint to the appropriate Agency and to the Office of Administration. The Employer, within five working days, will investigate and respond to the complaint and take corrective action if warranted. This procedure will be in lieu of recourse to the grievance procedure. General problems in administration of this Article will be subject to meet and discuss at appropriate agency levels. Section 10. Requests for out-service training which have been denied for failure to meet the criterion established in Section 2b 2.b. of this Article shall, at the request of the Union, be reviewed by a joint committee. The committee shall consist of one member to be appointed by the Union, one member to be appointed by the Office of Administration (the Chief Negotiator or designee) and the Agency Labor Relations Coordinator or designee. Section 11. Leave and expense benefits referred to in this Article are a part of what is provided in Management Directive 535.3, Out-Service Training, and are not intended to add to or to limit what is stated in that directive. Section 12. Should at any time during the life of this Agreement, the State Board a Commonwealth of Nursing Pennsylvania regulatory agency attach mandatory continuing education or certification requirements to Registered Nurse registered Nurses, the Employer agrees to open Section 3 of this Article and Section 15 of Article 16 for discussionbargaining. Section 13. The Employer and the Union recognize the need for in-service educational programs for unit employees and the need for expansion and improvement in many existing programs. Where programs are implemented, improved or expanded, the Employer will meet and discuss with the Union on the quantity, quality and subject matter. Section 14. Nothing in this Article shall prevent the Employer and the Union at a work site from developing and conducting accredited continuing education programs for employees at the work site, nor shall anything in this Article prevent such employees from voluntarily using reimbursement available to them under Section 3 to fund such program(s). Section 15. The Employer agrees to provide the Union a semi-annual report regarding employees' utilizations of the leave and expense reimbursement benefits provided in this Article.