To be eligible for participation in the Skilled Trades Apprenticeship, individuals must meet the following qualifications and follow the Job Enrichment Program (JEP) application process.

• Classified staff with the title of Trades Assistant or Trades Specialist that have at least 6 months of Miami University employment without a break in service are eligible to apply.
• Eligibility will also depend on the staff member's employment status:
  • Full-time Trades Assistants or Trades Specialists are eligible in accordance with program requirements.
  • Half-time (greater than or equal to .50 Full Time Equivalent) Trades Assistants or Trades Specialists may participate.
  • Temporary and intermittent Trades Assistants or Trades Specialists are not eligible to participate in the Skilled Trades Apprenticeship.
  • University Retirees rehired by the University are not eligible to participate in the Skilled Trades Apprenticeship.
  • Staff members may not participate in learning opportunities for Job Enrichment credit during approved leaves (i.g., long-term FMLA).
• Current, satisfactory performance evaluation within the last 365 days on file in the Department of Human Resources office.
  • The following corrective actions may affect your JEP eligibility:
    • A verbal written reprimand will not disqualify you from Job Enrichment as of July 1, 2013.
    • A written disciplinary notice will disqualify you from Job Enrichment for one year.
    • A disciplinary suspension will disqualify you from Job Enrichment for two years.
    • If a staff member becomes ineligible to participate, they should contact their Job Enrichment Administrator after the suspension time period (1 or 2 years) for reinstatement.

• Break In Service

  Unclassified to Classified Position Change

  • Employee returns to Classified position from an Unclassified position within 2 years of previously held Classified position:
    • Employee should contact their Job Enrichment Administrator.
    • Job Enrichment standings and records will be restored including coursework.
    • Earned premium pay will be reinstated upon position change.
    • Any coursework completed while in an Unclassified position will not be eligible for JEP credit.
  • Employee returns to Classified position from an Unclassified position after 2 years:
    
    • Employee should contact their Job Enrichment Administrator for reinstatement process.
    • Job Enrichment coursework records are restored; therefore, courses previously applied to a bonus will not be eligible for future Job Enrichment credit.
    • Job Enrichment Bonuses and Premium Pay are not restored; therefore, staff members begin earning credit towards Premium Pay Increase 1, Bonus 1.
    • Any coursework completed while in an Unclassified position will not be eligible for JEP credit.
• If a staff member has a break in service (leaves the University), the reinstatement process is as follows:
  • If they return to Miami University in Classified position within 1 year:
    
    • Job Enrichment standings and records will be restored including coursework
    • Earned premium pay will be reinstated upon rehire
  • If they return to Miami University in Classified position after 1 year but before 2 years:
    • After six months from rehire date, employee should contact their Job Enrichment Administrator for reinstatement process
    • Job Enrichment standings and records will be restored including coursework
    • Earned premium pay will be reinstated upon rehire
  • If they return to Miami University in Classified position after 2 years:
    • After six months from rehire date, employee should contact their Job Enrichment Administrator for reinstatement process
    • Job Enrichment coursework records will be restored; however courses previously applied to an award will not be eligible for future Job Enrichment credit.
    • Job Enrichment Bonuses and Premium Pay will not be restored; therefore, staff members begin earning credit towards Bonus 1 upon reinstatement.

Participation in the Skilled Trades Apprenticeship is voluntary and requires an application be filled out. The application process is as follows:

• The JEP application must be submitted online through MyCard.
• Upon receipt of the application and verification of all requirements, the JEP Administrator will contact the supervisor/director provided in the application for participation approval/denial.
• The JEP Administrator will notify the staff member via University email of their approval/denial into the JEP and provide information regarding their placement in the Skilled Trades Apprenticeship. If you have not heard from the JEP Administrator within two weeks of applying, please contact the Staff Development Office.
• Trades Assistants or Trades Specialists may view their JEP/Skilled Trades Apprenticeship records and progress online in MyCard.

Miami University Staff Development has partnered with PennFoster and NCCER to provide Learning Opportunities for Trades Assistants and Trades Specialists. Other JEP learning opportunities may be available for Skilled Trades Assistants and Specialists. Relevant learning opportunities are identified in a collaborative JEP Learning Plan process between staff member and supervisor. Learning Opportunity Resources include a variety of sources for Job Enrichment learning. In addition, other relevant learning opportunities (conferences, seminars, webinars, specialized training, etc.) may be completed. 

All learning opportunities must be completed while employed at Miami University as a classified staff member. Credit will not be issued for courses completed prior to being accepted into the Skilled Trades Apprenticeship. 

PennFoster

NCCER

Repeatable Learning Opportunities

The JEP Learning Opportunity Form is used upon completion of a learning opportunity to submit information and relevant documentation (certificates, agendas, etc) about the learning. The form is designed to gain input from the staff member and supervisor indicating the objectives of the learning, how the learning will be applied on the job and how the knowledge gained will benefit the department.

JEP Learning Opportunity Process:

1. Forms must be submitted within 6 months of completing the learning opportunity. Zero points will be earned towards the Active, Unapplied Points Accrued for courses submitted after the 6 month timeframe and will be reflected as N/A in MyCard.
2. Staff member completes form with required documentation, and submits via TDX to HR Staff Development.
   1. Staff member provides 2 Learning Takeaways gained from the learning opportunity.
   2. Staff member answers how they will implement the 2 Learning Takeaways in their role.
3. Supervisor automatically receives an email requesting their input and approval of the learning opportunity and submits to HR Staff Development.
   1. If the supervisor does not approve the learning opportunity, they explain how the learning opportunity is not relevant for the staff member's role.
   2. If the supervisor does approve the learning opportunity, they explain how the learning opportunity is relevant for the staff member's role and explain how the knowledge gained will benefit the department.
4. JEP Administrator will enter completed learning opportunity and Job Enrichment points (if applicable) into training record. Please note that submission of this form does not guarantee Job Enrichment Credit. 

Skilled Trades Apprenticeship participants are expected to fully complete all learning opportunity requirements outlined by PennFoster or NCCER. This expectation is included in the Ethics Statement. In addition, staff members that do not fully complete coursework that has been paid by the University may be responsible for repaying the fees to the University.

Completing coursework during normal work schedule:

• Full-time and Half-time (greater than or equal to .50 Full Time Equivalent) staff members may complete Skilled Trades Apprenticeship learning opportunities during their normal work schedule with supervisor approval.
• Supervisors are responsible for authorizing release time for staff to complete learning opportunities during the normal work schedule.
  • Release time during the normal work schedule is not guaranteed and is based on the business need as determined by the supervisor.
  • Consideration will include the impact on the individual, department, division, and University.
  • The supervisor will ensure that participation will not interfere with the satisfactory performance of the normal employment obligations.
  • The supervisor will monitor equitable opportunity for all staff to participate in the Skilled Trades Apprenticeship.
• Overtime payment is not guaranteed for learning opportunities that overlap with the end of a staff member’s working hours. The individual should work with their supervisor to adjust work schedules when possible to avoid an overtime situation.

Completing coursework outside normal work schedule:

• Full-time and half-time staff members may complete Skilled Trades Apprenticeship learning opportunities outside their normal work schedule.
• Supervisors are responsible for considering any adjustments to a normal work schedule to accommodate learning opportunities outside normal work schedules.
• Overtime payment is not guaranteed for learning opportunities offered outside normal work schedules. Staff members should work with their supervisor to adjust work schedules when possible to avoid an overtime situation.

Participants are required to complete and submit an Apprenticeship Log in order to receive an award in the Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Program. Once a participant receives the title of Master Trades Specialist, completion of an Apprenticeship Log is no longer required.

The Apprenticeship Program Experience Log requirements are as follows:

• Must have a total of 200 hours per Apprenticeship Bonus.
• Each skill category must contain at least 20 hours of documented work time.
• Submit log to JEP Administrator, 125 Staff Development Center.
• The JEP Administrator will verify log hours and update MyCard record.

Job Enrichment points may be received upon completion of a learning opportunity. 

Point Calculation

Point Expiration

Apprenticeship Bonus: $1650 (see chart)

Job Enrichment Premium Pay Increase and Apprenticeship Promotions (see chart)

Advanced Component Bonus: $550 (see chart)

Participation in the Skilled Trades Apprenticeship requires staff members to be honest about their efforts and accomplishments. Acts of dishonesty will result in suspension from participation in the Skilled Trades Apprenticeship for a minimum of one year or a time deemed appropriate by The JEP Administrators (this timeframe will begin once all coursework is completed due to completion requirements set by PennFoster or NCCER.) Dishonesty is any activity that tends to compromise the integrity of the Skilled Trades Apprenticeship. This includes, but is not limited to, furnishing false information or omitting relevant or necessary information in order to gain a benefit. Any submission of information for Job Enrichment points, bonuses, premium pay increases or promotions is a representation that the staff member has completed all the course/program requirements including full attendance.