The General Staff Conference Scheme
Background
The Staff Development and Training Unit provides a
wide range of in-house activities and courses to meet
the training and Development needs of University staff.
There will, however, be occasions where it is more appropriate,
or necessary, for staff to attend courses, workshops
or conferences external to the University.
The General Staff Conference Scheme, administered by
the Staff Development and Training Unit, exists to assist
general staff to participate in such external activities.
The aim of the scheme is to provide assistance for members
of general staff to register for conferences or external
workshops that are relevant to their role in the University.
As there is limited funding available, the scheme generally
allows for a contribution to the registration fee rather
than the full registration amount. In order to spread
available funds as widely and equitably as possible,
contributions towards the cost of the activity will
generally be requested from the applicant's cost centre.
Where cost centres are setting up new projects they
should make provision for associated training in their
budgets. Conferences and workshops which are specific
to particular projects should be funded directly by
those projects. If a division cannot provide all the
funds necessary, staff members can apply to the General
Staff Conference Scheme for assistance.
Some conferences, eg AVCC courses and ATEM conferences
will be funded separately from the General Staff Conference
Scheme.
Who can apply?
The General Staff Conference Scheme is open to ALL
GENERAL staff.
Type and level of assistance provided
Successful applicants will receive a grant towards
the cost of registration for an approved conference
or workshop.
Successful applicants will generally receive the following
level of assistance:
- the first $400 of the registration fee; and
- 50% of the difference between $400 and the registration
fee up to a maximum registration fee of $1,000
For example if the registration fee is $700, the General
Staff Conference Scheme will provide:
- the first $400
- 50% of the difference i.e. 50% of $300 = $150
Total assistance = $550.
The remaining part of the registration fee will need
to be funded by the staff member, his/her cost centre,
or from another source.
Travel and accommodation costs associated with the
conference or workshop will not be covered by the scheme.
Applicants should seek assistance for these costs from
their cost centre.
How applications will be assessed
Applications will be assessed by the Staff Development
and Training Unit in conjunction with the Manager, Human
Resources. Additional persons will be consulted if this
is necessary to ensure that an application receives
informed assessment. The assessment criteria include:
- the degree to which the workshop/conference will
enhance skills and knowledge leading to demonstrable
contribution to the work and productivity of the University;
- benefit to the individual's work area;
- benefit to the individual;
- level of support from supervisor and/or cost centre;
- level of support received in the past by the applicant;
- any official involvement in the conference eg office
bearer or presenting a paper;
- alternatives available, for example is there an
equivalent in-house course;
- the University's Equal Opportunity and Affirmative
Action policies;
- availability of funds.
Applications to attend local programs will be particularly
encouraged.
How and when to apply
Applications must be received by the Staff Development
and Training Unit BEFORE the workshop or conference
takes place. Applicants will be informed before the
conference or activity as to whether their application
was successful or not. No funding will be provided retrospectively.
Staff members should apply for assistance as early
as possible as the funds for this scheme may be expended
before the end of the year. Applications for conference
funding should be made via the supervisor, and sent
to the Staff Development and Training Unit.
General
Staff Application Form
Reporting
To extend the benefits of staff development activities
beyond the grant recipient, staff who receive grants
will be asked to share information about the staff development
activity for which they have received funding with other
staff members. Details of grants awarded, activities
attended and grant recipients' names and contact details
will be published in the Division of Resources Newsletter
at regular intervals. Interested staff will be encouraged
to contact grant recipients for feedback on programs,
access to conference proceedings, etc.
Grant recipients will normally be required to submit
an evaluation of the activity to their supervisor or,
if requested, to provide an information-sharing session
for other staff members.
E-mail staff.development@flinders.edu.au
for more information.
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