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How Can We Grow Job Skills? (Tom Larsen and Jim <br /> LaCasse) <br /> LENGTH OF TRAINING ASSIGNMENTS Bullets 1, 5, 8, and 20 <br /> Management is committed to providing adequate training and cross training. The length <br /> of special assignments and cross training program will be reviewed and commitment of <br /> managers to allow training to take place will be reiterated to supervisors. <br /> Supervisors are responsible for tracking the MW 1/2 program and scheduling cross <br /> training assignments. They will be held accountable for the success of the program. <br /> Job shadowing could be a way of expanding training opportunities. <br /> ISSUES WITH TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES Bullets 2, 3, 4, 13 <br /> As a matter of policy, temporary employees are only hired within the terms in the Union <br /> contract. They can not work more than 1040 hours in a calendar year. Both the union <br /> and management watch the usage carefully. <br /> Temps cannot be used to replace permanent positions and cannot drive a CDL vehicle <br /> without the appropriate CDL. <br /> Ben Bonner thinks there may be a slight increase in minor injuries among new hires and <br /> will look into the statistics to see if there are safety issues with temporary employees. <br /> INCREASED JOB RESPONSIBILITY Bullets 1, 5, 6, 10, 11, 14, 17 and 20 <br /> Staff is asking to be given a larger role in decision making and control of work activities. <br /> Management strongly supports those efforts. The goals of the MW 1/2 cross training <br /> program, the new hire mentor program and the employee development program now in <br /> pilot stage are increasing the skill set of employees. Management strongly supports <br /> increased delegation to build job skills. This includes both specific tasks in the various <br /> work units and the overall ability to make job related decisions. The first step in our <br /> hiring process is to explore ways to internally meet the need using AIC or lateral <br /> transfers. <br /> Management is open to new initiatives and improving existing efforts to allow workers a <br /> greater voice in daily activities and decision making at the appropriate level. <br /> Management believes that adding skills and responsibilities will increase employee <br /> satisfaction and retention. Not all jobs are ones that employees like, but a well rounded <br /> skill set is critical to our being able to respond to emergencies in the community. <br /> A job shadowing program can be added. <br /> 30 <br />