Labor Relations
GSFC-GESTA Collective Bargaining Agreement
Article 30 Training and Employee Development
SECTION 30.01 The Center shall provide training and career development opportunities to employees to acquire, maintain and improve the skills and professional knowledge necessary to perform their work effectively, to develop new skills and knowledge necessary to carry out the Center's mission, and to provide for career development opportunities where the needs of the Center and the interests of the employee are compatible. Management shall continue to publish information on training opportunities and programs available to Unit employees. The training program shall be administered subject to the provisions of law, regulations, Agency policy, budgetary constraints and this Agreement.
SECTION 30.02 The Center encourages employees to discuss their individual career development goals and objectives with their supervisor and seek counseling from the supervisor and the Office of Human Resources (OHR) in attaining their goals. The OHCM shall provide information and advice to Unit employees and their supervisors concerning availability and relatedness of training programs in keeping with job-related needs and personal career objectives. Career counseling shall be available if requested by the employee and if the employee's career goals are consistent with current or projected training and staffing needs of the Center.
SECTION 30.03 All training opportunities will be offered to Unit employees without regard to race, religion, sex, age, union affiliation or national origin. In a similar manner, physical disability shall not be used as a basis for discrimination, subject to the provisions of Title 5 United States Code, Section 7203. Discrimination based on sexual orientation or marital status is a prohibited personnel practice.
SECTION 30.04 Management shall support all approved individual training requests and normally shall provide tuition and official time if the employee is otherwise in a duty status. Per diem and travel expenses to attend such training are subject to Management approval.
SECTION 30.05 Employees who acquire new or enhanced skills related to their profession through self-training or training received outside Government channels are encouraged to document such training or self-development activities for inclusion as part of their Official Personnel Folder. Such documentation must be made part of the employee's record when presented by the employee or his/her representative subject to Office of Personnel Management rules.
SECTION 30.06 Changes in the employee development policy statement presently set forth in the current GMI shall be submitted to GESTA in accordance with Article 6 of this Agreement.
SECTION 30.07 Management may provide for the training and/or retraining of its employees in accordance with Section 30.01 of this Article and Article 3 of this Agreement when affecting a major change in the Center's skill mix. When knowledge of the impact of pending changes in technology, function, organization, and mission is available, Management will plan for retraining of employees involved when appropriate. Management will consider the budget and workforce needs of the Center in making these determinations. Management will solicit and consider GESTA's views and recommendations before making such training or retraining program determinations.
SECTION 30.08 It is generally understood that training for Unit employees usually falls within the following categories:
a. training to maintain or enhance technical proficiency;
b. training in the nontechnical aspects of individual work assignments and responsibilities; or
c. retraining of employees affected by changes in the mission of the Center, technology, or the Center's skill mix.
