Department of Natural Resources Policy -
IT Training and Certification
Policy Number: 02:06
See signed policy - Adobe Acrobat file
I. Purpose
    The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Units in developing proficient and productive Information technology users.

II Scope

    This policy applies to all Units and employees within the DNR.

III. Policy

    It is important to the State of Maryland and DNR to provide for the education and training needs of their employees in order to:
    • Perform current job functions
    • Prepare the employee to perform a function that she or he is not currently performing
    • Qualify the employee for a more advanced position in his/her career path than he or she is currently holding
    • Keep abreast of information technology advancements and improve technical skills
    • Provide training and/or formal certification in a technical discipline, to the extent that it is good, sound business practice
    This shall be done not only as a course of business, but included in each IT program or project. The commitment of sufficient resources to and selection of, effective strategies for education and training shall be paramount among the criteria used by Agency management in evaluating and approving key IT programs and projects

IV. Guidelines

    1.1 Types of Training
    DNR will utilize the following types of training: computer based, classroom, one on one, Internet and video. DNR recognizes the need to have a variety of training options available to accommodate the different levels and type of training required by its employer.

    1.2 Centralization of Training and Certification
    ITS will coordinate classroom training at the Information Technology Service (ITS) facility for user level training of the Microsoft Office Suite. ITS will maintain an interest file and when enough interest is shown a class will be setup. In addition, computer based training (CBT) CD's and video training tapes will be available for checkout from the Information Resource Center (IRC). Because of licensing restrictions, all CBTs must be removed from the client machine when the product is returned to the IRC. All other training will be arranged through the individual units.

    All information technology training will be documented with existing procedures put in place by the Human Resource Services.

    1.3 Certification Guidelines
    DNR will pay for classes that qualify under section III, however, DNR will not pay for test to acquire certification unless that certification is required to perform an assigned function or is in the best interest of DNR.

    1.4 Funding
    All training will be funded at the Unit level. Major projects that require training in order to implement must allocate funds for training within the project budget.

    1.5 Minimum Training and Skills
    All DNR staff requesting training shall be trained on the use of standard software.

    The Information Technology Service recommends information technology jobs receive a minimum two weeks of training a year.

V. Responsibilities

    It is the responsibility of the Chief of Information Technology to review this policy annually.

    It is the responsibility of the Technical Support Manager of the Information Technology Service to implement this Policy.

References

  • Department of Budget and Management, Office of Information Technology - Training and Certification Policy 20
Wilson Parran Chief of Information Technology
Posted February 19, 2002