HOW DOES THIS FIT INTO POLICY?
Why do non-supervisors and managers have to take the Berkeley People Management Part 1: Grow Today series prior to applying for an internal vacancy instead of having a 6-month grace period to complete the training once in the supervisory/management role?
For staff positions, aspiring campus leaders have the benefit of being able to prepare for a people management position in advance of interviewing for the role. While earning a certificate is not an assured path to being offered a new position, this requirement enhances the candidate’s skills, giving internal candidates an advantage in an incredibly competitive labor market while supporting UC Berkeley in developing talent from within.
Requiring internal candidates to complete the Berkeley People Management Part 1: Grow Today series prior to applying means any current unit would lose employee work time while the employee prepares for a job potentially in another unit. Is this fair?
Time spent on professional development is not a “loss of time” but rather a productive use of time because it enhances an employee’s skills and supports their professional growth. Both benefit the University, and employees of UC Berkeley are employees of the entire institution, not just one particular department or unit. More than ever, continuous growth and development are critical to maintaining our staff's excellence and supporting the campus's mission. UC Berkeley supports staff professional development through systemwide Procedure 50, which states that "non-probationary career employees are eligible for up to 80 hours (non-exempt) or 10 work days (exempt) release time (prorated based on appointment) per calendar year for professional development, which should be career-ladder related." In addition, UC Berkeley has our own policycreated to further support the professional development of all staff. The institution as a whole is absorbing the “cost” of professional development to support retention of a highly skilled workforce.
Rather than making this series an immediate requirement for all internal UC Berkeley recruitments for supervisory or managerial positions posted on or after July 1, 2020, can we give internal candidates six months after the promotion to complete training?
Fortunately, delaying the requirement for internal recruitments is unnecessary as BPM Part 1: Grow Today is a fully online learning series available 24/7 for just-in-time learning. The majority of its modules take 35 minutes or less to complete. Since all components bookmark participant progress, they do not require being completed in one sitting, allowing employees to structure their learning into bite-size increments and work within their schedule and around other work commitments.
Can the university fund mandated training hours out of the benefits or other assessments? What about through vacation or sick leave?
Time spent on professional development is “regular work,” and therefore, it is recorded as “straight time,” not "vacation" or some other type of leave. UC Berkeley supports staff professional development through systemwide Procedure 50 (in accordance with Policy PPSM-50), which states that "non-probationary career employees are eligible for up to 80 hours (non-exempt) or 10 workdays (exempt) release time (pro-rated based on appointment) per calendar year for professional development, which should be career-ladder related." In addition, UC Berkeley has created its own policy to further support the professional development of all staff. The institution as a whole is absorbing the “cost” of professional development to support retention of a highly skilled workforce.
How does the Berkeley People Management Part 1: Grow Today series compare with the UC Systemwide People Management Certificate?
The UC Systemwide People Management Certificate (UCSPMC) program is a systemwide program. To earn this certificate, a person must take 16 core courses and 4 elective courses across four UCOP-determined competencies.
Included in the 16 core courses for the UCSPMC are the requirements for the UC Managing Implicit Bias Certificate (UCSMIB), also a systemwide certificate series.
The BPM Part 1: Grow Today series includes the 16 core courses required for the UCSPMC and one additional requirement, the Berkeley People Management Knowledge Assessment. This means, that once the BPM Part 1: Grow Today series is completed, an employee will have earned two certificates: BPM Part 1: Grow Today and the UCSMIB. In addition, they will be only four courses away from completing a third certificate, the UCSPMCThose who complete the UCSPMC are eligible to attend UCOP's annual UC People Management Conference held in Los Angeles.