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How can I find out about the classes offered at The Summit?
Twice a year (August and January) we publish an on-line catalog that describes the classes
and various services the Learning Center provides. We also publish a payroll insert that goes to all employees…one in August and one in
January. The insert coincides with
the beginning of a semester. Once a month we send out an e-mail listing classes that still have space available.
Does the Learning Center offer any classes online?
No, not yet. We hope to have a class or two on-line soon.
How do I register for a class?
Complete a Registration Form on the web site or
request a form from the Learning Center Catalog.
Can I register on-line?
We are not currently set up to register on-line. It is on our list of improvements.
Does the Learning Center offer any classes online?
We will send you a confirmation letter or e-mail about 5-6 weeks before a class is scheduled. If the class is full, you will receive a letter stating that the class is full. If a cancellation occurs and space becomes available, we will contact people on the waiting list.
I have attempted to register for a
class several times and I receive notice that the class is full. Will you
notify me when the class will be held again?
Sorry, we do not maintain waiting lists from semester to semester.
I registered for several classes but have only received
one e-mail confirmation. How do I know if there is space for me in the other classes?
We send out the confirmation letters and e-mails in chronological order of class dates. If you signed up for classes in October and January, you would received a confirmation letter for the October class in
September and a confirmation letter for the January class in December.
Why do you need my supervisor’s signature?
When you register for a class, it is understood that you will be away from your
work-site. Your supervisor’s signature indicates that understanding.
Why do you charge for some classes and not others?
We make a concerted effort to provide classes free of charge. However, sometimes
it is necessary for reasons of time or expertise to hire outside trainers. When we call on outside trainers they need to charge for their services. We pass those charges to your department when you enroll in the
class.
How do I pay for a class at the Learning Center?
After the class is held, we send your department a bill and payment is made through
an interagency transfer of funds.
My supervisor said I could have the time to take a class, however my department will not pay for it. Can I pay for the class with a personal check?
Yes. Complete the registration form with your supervisor’s signature. Make note on
the form that you intend to pay for the class with a personal check. Please submit the check at least 3 weeks in advance of the class. The check should be made out to the “State of Vermont”.
Why do I need to notify the Learning Center if I cannot attend a no-charge class?
Many classes fill to capacity very early. The Learning Center keeps registration
forms from employees who did not register early enough and are then placed on a waiting list. When you notify us that you cannot attend, we can call employees who are on the waiting list to get into
the class. Your notification might allow another employee to attend.
Can I send a substitute if I am unable to attend a class?
Yes. If there is time, please call the Learning Center to apprise us of the change. If
you received any special pre-class material or instructions, please see that it
is passed on to the substitute. The substitute should plan to attend all class
days, if the class is scheduled for more than one day.
What if I am sick on the day of a class?
If there is no charge for the class, please have someone from your
office call the Learning Center (802 241-1114) to let us know you cannot attend. If there is a
charge for the class, every effort should be made to send a substitute in your
place. Even if you are unable to attend, we will need to bill your department if we did not receive notice of your withdrawal 10 business days before the class is scheduled.
I was unable to give 10 business days notice for a class with a charge. Why was my department billed for a class that I was unable to attend?
When we hire an outside consultant or trainer to teach a class, we need to guarantee that person a certain amount of compensation. In order to meet that guarantee, the Learning Center establishes a minimum # of enrollees. If the minimum is reached 10 business days before the class, the class will meet as scheduled. When an enrollee cancels after the 10 business day deadline, we still need to meet the minimum amount of compensation by billing your department.
How can I avoid being charged for a class that I can’t attend?
Please give the Learning Center 10 business days notice that you cannot attend a class. If you are unable to give the 10 business day notice, please make every effort to find a substitute. If we are able to fill your space with an employee on the course waiting list, we will not need to bill your department.
Do classes get canceled?
There are several reasons why classes may be canceled. If we do not get enough people registered for a class, we will cancel a class. Generally, we know about 10 days in advance of the class date and we contact participants via e-mail or phone. Another reason classes may be canceled is inclement
weather. If weather conditions warrant a class cancellation we try to give as much notice as possible. If weather deteriorates overnight, the voice-mail at the Learning Center will be updated at 6 a.m. apprising participants of a cancellation. If the instructor is sick on the day of the class, we attempt to
call those registrants who are furthest from Waterbury first. When a class is canceled we make every attempt to reschedule it and contact participants with the new date.
Are classes open to persons other than State Employees?
Sometimes. Usually non-charge classes fill up quickly with State Employees. Occasionally a
charge class may need more people to fill a class. Call the Learning Center at
802 241-1114 or e-mail: clc@per.state.vt.us to inquire about classes where space is
available for non state employees.
I am a temporary employee. Am I eligible to register for classes?
Yes, you are eligible. First talk to your supervisor, complete the registration
form, and submit to the Learning Center by mail or fax (802 241-1119).
How can someone reach me while I am in class?
If the class is at The Summit call 241-1114 and the message will
be posted outside the classroom. You will not be interrupted unless it is an
emergency. If the class is in a district office we will include the number in the confirmation letter. Also, call the Learning Center and we can give you the district office number.
Does the Learning Center offer computer classes?
The State of Vermont does not offer centralized computer training programs through The Summit. After exploring the possibility of operating computer training programs through the Learning Center, we discovered that we could not provide a better or less expensive service than the private sector. Therefore the best service we could offer the state in this area is to provide referrals to businesses that do provide computer training. The list includes vendors that offer computer training in a classroom setting and/or have portable classrooms that can be taken to worksites.
How does the Learning Center determine which classes to run?
We use a multi-faceted approach. We review classes that have run in the past. Those
classes that are popular and receive good evaluations from state employees tend
to run once or twice a year.The Learning Center subscribes to several trade organizations and we watch trends in workplace issues. Also, we send e-mails to state employees asking what
classes would be most helpful to sponsor.
How can I make a request for a class?
Call the Learning Center at 241-1114 or e-mail:clc@per.state.vt.us
Can I attend a class in a location other than Waterbury?
We offer classes in district office locations. Consult the catalog for locations outside of Waterbury.
Can my department bring a Learning Center class to our District Office?
We can bring most classes to district offices, especially if a
Summit staff person teaches the class. If an outside
consultant teaches the class, we would refer you to that instructor. Call (
241-1114) or e-mail: clc@per.state.vt.us for details about requesting a class. |
