STATUTORY REFERENCE/OTHER AUTHORITY: N/A

APPROVAL DATE: 01/29/2007

APPROVED BY: Neale Lunderville, Secretary of Transportation

PURPOSE/COMMENT: To establish agency policy on mandatory minimum supervisor training.

POLICY STATEMENT: It is the policy of the Vermont Agency of Transportation to require those employees whose job duties include supervising other employees to complete training in the elements of supervision or to provide documentation of completion of approved training.  Human Resources will establish mandatory minimum training requirements.  Human Resources will have overall responsibility, with input from Agency management, for approving the instructor, course size, coordinating location and time, and arranging for its delivery at an Agency facility, scheduling attendance at outside training when additional training is required, or for approving the sufficiency of training previously completed.

Supervisors will be identified by Human Resources and the Directors / Commissioner of each Division / Department.  Human Resources will verify all training records and will attempt to schedule any required training for Supervisors within one year of their identification or appointment as a Supervisor, or will approve training otherwise scheduled for the employee to meet the requirements of this policy.  All decisions regarding who is selected and when they shall attend shall be subject to the operating needs of the employee's unit and Human Resources.  Exceptions, cancellations, or changes shall be considered by Human Resources on a case by case basis and must have prior approval by the employee's immediate supervisor.  Division directors (or Department Commissioners) shall be responsible for the compliance of their supervisors with this policy.

Instances where class attendance will result in overtime, lodging, or mileage reimbursement must be approved before attendance in accordance with the current State / VSEA Agreements and State policies.

Completion of required training shall be listed as an objective in every supervisor's performance evaluation as applicable.

Supervisors will comply with training documentation requirements to receive credit for training received (per Policy #2017.1).  Human Resources shall keep a record of those employees who meet the training requirements.  Certificates of completion shall be placed in their official personnel file.

Any problems or disputes arising from implementation of this policy between managers, supervisors, and employees shall be resolved at the lowest possible level.  If no solution can be reached, Human Resources will mediate and act as final arbiter on behalf of the Secretary of Transportation on any appeals.