UMF provides professional development funds to classified employees in order to attend workshops, seminars, and other various trainings that build workplace skills.  Below are some questions and answers that explain how you can benefit from these funds.

What is the function of the Committee?  The Classified Employees Professional Development Committee ( CEPDC ) manages funds designed to assist UMF employees to  maintain and improve workplace performance.  Funds are available for those who are striving to perform with greater ability.  There is currently over $4,000 available, and individuals are allowed a maximum of $300 per fiscal year.

What is professional development?  Learning is a life-long process that allows for professional growth.  Keeping your skills and abilities current are important elements in workplace performance.  Technology is just one area where continuing education is essential.  Professional development can include academic learning, team building, skills development, and personal resources such as time and stress management.

Does professional development apply to me and what skills I need?  Administrative, technical, laboratory, medical assisting, health/fitness instruction, facilities maintenance, criminal justice, library information, personnel, and supervisory occupations make up the UMF classified staff.  Classified occupations are various, and so are our individual needs for professional development.

Can I use the funds for whatever I want?  Whether requests for funds are individual or group, the goal of the Committee is to assist employees to gain new skills or brush up on your current skills.  If you are a supervisor, then a request for a supervisory management seminar would be considered professional development or perhaps a workshop in desktop publishing and grammar for those working with publications.  Professional development requests are granted if funds are applied to training/education related to an employee’s current position. 

Where can I go for professional development?  There are many resources available for professional development.  The Computer Center offers an array of computer classes, and there are several credit courses here at UMF that relate to many classified positions on campus. UMA offers an 18-credit certificate in customer service and telecommunications, an 18-credit certificate in accounting for those who presently manage departmental funds, a 15-credit certificate in supervision, which is ideal for those who supervise other classified staff or student workers, a 15-credit certificate in library information technology and various associate degrees. Tuition for University courses is covered through tuition waivers, but here are a few ideas that you could apply the CEPDC funds to:

Husson College offers degrees in management, accounting, and computer information systems as well as associate degrees. The Maine Technical College System offers programs and workshops for trade and business occupations.

If credit courses are not ideal for your schedule, there are many workshops that are available.  There are workshops in organizational skills, accounts payable, basic supervision and a complete course on facilities management.             Here are links to websites that are worth looking into.

Whichever you choose to pursue, University of Maine at Farmington supports professional development for classified staff, and the CEPDC will assist you in reaching your goals. The Committee consists of eight members who are appointed to two-year terms.  Your questions or comments are important.  Please feel free to contact a Committee member.