BRIEF

Policy Summary

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) encourages employees to obtain skills, knowledge, and abilities that increase the effectiveness of work performance in their present positions and improve their career opportunities within Berkeley Lab. Berkeley Lab also encourages employees to remain abreast of best practices in their respective fields through renewal of professional licenses and certifications, and professional/technical association memberships. This policy describes what Berkeley Lab may provide to employees through training and development opportunities aimed at promoting the growth of individuals and teams and achieving success toward Berkeley Lab's mission.

Who Should Read This Policy

• This policy applies to non-represented career and term employees. Represented employees should consult their collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
• All other employee classifications, affiliates, and contract workers are eligible only for on-site training or required Berkeley Lab off-site training related to safety.

To Read the Full Policy, Go To:

The POLICY tab on this wiki page

Contact Information

For more information, contact your division's HR Field team.
Feedback on HR policies or procedures is welcomed. Send comments to hrpolicies@lbl.gov.

POLICY

A. Purpose

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) encourages employees to obtain skills, knowledge, and abilities that increase the effectiveness of work performance in their present position and improve their career opportunities within Berkeley Lab. Berkeley Lab also encourages employees to remain abreast of best practices in their respective fields through renewal of professional licenses and certifications, and professional/technical association memberships. This policy describes what Berkeley Lab may provide to employees through training and development opportunities aimed at promoting the growth of individuals and teams and achieving success toward Berkeley Lab's mission.

B. Persons Affected

• This policy applies to non-represented career and term employees. Represented employees should consult their collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
• All other employee classifications, affiliates, and contract workers are eligible only for on-site training or required Berkeley Lab off-site training related to safety.

C. Exceptions

Requests that exceed what is allowed under this policy, or that are not expressly addressed, are considered exceptions to policy. A request for a policy exception requires, at a minimum, the approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

D. Policy Statement

1. General
   1. Training and development activities that incur costs are approved for and paid by divisions. If training and development activities are approved, the division may pay full fees, travel, materials, textbooks, per diem, and release time.
   2. Training and development activities may take place on-site at Berkeley Lab, at off-site locations, or online.
   3. In approving training and development activities, divisions may consider scheduling, staffing, budget, business needs, and other related considerations. Following stewardship principles, divisions must ensure fairness, and appropriateness when approving training and development opportunities.
   4. Training and development activities may be identified through ongoing discussions between employees and their supervisors, or directed by management.
   5. Training and development activities must comply with applicable financial policies, including but not limited to the Travel Policy and Reference Guide, Cost Allowability policy, and the Payment Requests policy.
2. Eligible Training and Development Activities
   1. Training and development activities include only those that (1) are required in the performance of the employee's current position, (2) will significantly enhance performance in the employee's current position, or (3) prepare the employee for other positions within Berkeley Lab.
   2. Training and development activities may include but are not limited to on-the-job training, cross training, coaching, mentoring, workshops, seminars, online learning, conferences, lectures, and meetings.
   3. Divisions may pay for books and other learning or training materials. These training materials will be the property of Berkeley Lab.
   4. Berkeley Lab may require employees to obtain and maintain professional licenses and/or certifications for their positions. In this event, divisions, rather than the Tuition Assistance Program, shall pay for related courses and professional examinations.
   5. Required Program Attendance. When a division requires an employee to attend a training or development activity, the time spent in attendance shall be counted as time worked, and the full fees and related costs, e.g., materials, travel, and per diem, will be paid by the division.
   6. Professional License/Certification Renewal. Fees for professional license and certification renewals may be paid by divisions at their discretion.
   7. Professional/Technical Association Membership. Membership fees for professional/technical associations may be paid by divisions at their discretion.
3. Limits on Training and Development Activities
   1. Test preparation courses (e.g., GRE, LSAT) are not allowable expenses under this policy.
   2. Education programs are not covered by this policy. See the Tuition Assistance policy.

E. Roles and Responsibilities

Managers, supervisors, and employees have the responsibility to adhere to the provisions of this policy.

F. Definitions and Acronyms

G. Recordkeeping Requirements

None

H. Implementing Documents

None

I. Contact Information

For more information, contact your division's HR Field team.
Feedback on HR policies or procedures is welcomed. Send comment to hrpolices@lbl.gov

J. Revision History

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

Source Requirements Documents

• DOE Contract DE-AC02-05CH11231, Section J, Appendix A, Advance Understandings on Human Resources
• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 31.205-44, Training and Education Costs
• University of California Personnel Policies for Staff Members (PPSM) 50, Professional Development