To create a supportive environment for distance learning to take place, AIR has developed a form entitled “Distance Learning Training Agreement”(attached) to facilitate a discussion between the employee and manager. The DLTA should be completed prior to the start of a distance learning event. The purpose of the DLTA is to clarify the “when”, “what” and “how” of employee participation in a distance learning event. In order for the learning to be successfully completed, both the employee and manager need to agree on the ground rules for participation and establish the training as a work priority. Both the manager and the employee should keep a copy of the completed agreement, with a courtesy copy to the directorate/division ATM (Air Training Manager). Use of the form is required for distance learning events except for attendance at live IVT/ATN broadcasts. Since these broadcasts have a defined time and place for attendance, the DLTA does not apply.
Address the following key issues:
- Training is considered part of an employee’s job and therefore should be conducted during the established workday. However, employees will be compensated appropriately for training completed outside of the normal work schedule in accordance with applicable directives, rules and agreement, and with prior supervisory approval.
- Established times for self-paced courses are estimates and actual completion rates for courses may vary by employee.
- Appreciate the colleges that are providing the Accredited Degrees.
- Managers should provide adequate conditions for employee to complete approved training, including uninterrupted blocks of time, and an atmosphere appropriate for learning. The distance learning training agreement should address issues such as potential locations for participating in the training, time and workload management, progress checks, etc.
- Training at a non-FAA location (not an employee’s workstation or FAA CBI platform) must be agreed upon between the manager and the employee, and should adhere to the individual office’s policy on telecommuting. If an employee and manager agree that the employee’s home is the most appropriate place to participate in the training, and the employee has the proper equipment and Internet access, then the manager and employee must have either a formal telecommuting agreement or the distance learning training agreement can serve as the telecommuting agreement for the period of time it takes to start and complete the distance learning training.
- Use of personal computer equipment at home is a decision made jointly between an employee and a manager. Since this is an alternative that is a personal option negotiated between the employee and manager, the FAA is not required to support that equipment or pay for Internet access.
- If government computer equipment is available for employee use, the manager can allow the employee to take training at home.
- Courses may have a distance learning component that must be completed prior to classroom training. Employees who do not complete the distance learning aspect of a course will not be allowed to attend the classroom portion of the training.
- As with any other training, the prerequisite/component for the course must be completed before the employee can take the next course or portion of the course. Failure to complete the prerequisite/component for a course means the employee cannot take the next course or portion of the course. Failure to complete a course will mean that the employee will not get credit for the course.
- Breaks for IVT courses: IVT training is often conducted simultaneously to different time zones. For example, a 4-hour course may occur from
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