Professional Growth Program -  Classified Employees

The Professional Growth Plan is designed to provide incentive to classified employees to enhance and/or update their performance through continuing education and participation in professional organizations and College committees.  The Professional Growth Plan allows for released time for work-related classes up to four hours per week per semester.

• Only permanent classified employees are eligible to begin a professional growth program.
   

• Employees have three years to complete a program.
   

• A program consists of 20 points. 
   

• Employees may earn points by taking courses that will improve their job performance and/or courses geared towards their educational goals.  Every semester unit equals two points.  A minimum of twelve points must be earned through classroom coursework.  Points may be earned for attending conferences, seminars, workshops, and/or governance committee membership.

Upon completion of twenty points:

• Full-time permanent employees, as well as part-time permanent employees, have the option to receive an annual stipend of $500 in
  pro-rated monthly payments of $41.67, or to receive a one-time lump sum stipend of $2,000. 
   

• Employees who elect the one-time $2,000 lump sum stipend must wait three years before beginning another program.  There is no waiting period between programs when employees elect the $500 annual stipend.

For complete information and guidelines about the Professional Growth Program, please click this link:

Professional Growth Program Guidelines

Deadlines: Summer 2008 deadline:  May 16, 2008
                 Fall 2008 deadline:  July 25, 2008
                  Spring 2009 deadline: December 12, 2008

If you need additional information about the Professional Growth program, please attend our next workshop scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 11:00am and Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 3:00pm in the Governing Board Room.

NEW - Forms may be filled out online*

• Declaration Of Intent  
  
  Required to start a new program; one copy of transcripts from all schools
  attended (including Palomar) must be included with this form
   

• Request For Approval or Change/Addition of Courses  
  
  Required to start a new program or to make changes/additions to
  coursework for an existing program
   

• Request for Approval or Change/Addition of Workshop/Seminar, Committee or Professional Organization 
  
  Required to start a new program or to make changes/additions to
  workshop, seminar, committee, or professional organization participation
  for an existing program
  
  Must be completed and submitted for approval prior to attending any
  workshop, seminar or conference (excluding Training & Development
  Workshops)
  
  Must be completed and submitted for approval before points may be
  accrued for committee or professional organization participation
   

• Request To Take A Class During Work Time (Non-Release Time)
  
  Required to request make-up time to attend classes taken during normal
  work hours
   

• Request For Release Time For Job-Related Class
  
   Required to request up to four (4) hours per week of paid release time
   from normal work hours to attend classes
   

• Request To Attend Training & Development Workshop 
  
  Must be completed and submitted for approval prior to attending any
  Training & Development Workshop (these are courses offered through
  Academic Technology only)
   

• Certification of Attendance at Training & Development Workshop 
  
  Must be completed after attending any Training & Development Workshop
  (these are courses offered through Academic Technology only) in order to
  receive points
   

• Report Of Meeting/Workshop/Seminar  
  
  Must be completed after attending any meeting, workshop, seminar or
  conference (excluding Training & Development Workshops) in order to
  receive points
   

• Notice Of Completion
  
  Required upon completion of program; transcripts showing course grades
  and appropriate backup paperwork pertaining to workshop/conference/
  committee/organization participation (if not previously provided) must
  be attached
   

* Must still print out completed form and submit
with original signature(s) to HR