Human Resource Development Services

Professional growth and development opportunities are available for employees and managers through the programs and services of the Office of Governmental Services Center (GSC) located at Kentucky State University in Frankfort. GSC is a state agency whose mission is to provide quality services in training, consultation, and organization development that help the individuals and agencies of state government continuously improve performance and meet the challenges of today and the future. GSC is committed to the professional delivery of innovative, quality-driven, customer-focused services through vision, leadership and teamwork.

GSC offers a curriculum of more than thirty workshops. The management development curriculum includes topics such as fundamental and advanced leadership skills, managing under the merit system, performance management, and managing change. GSC also provides the Certified Public Manger program for current and potential managers (see below). The employee development curriculum includes topics such as interpersonal skills, problem solving, and other courses for development of the employee.

GSC provides a variety of consulting services to state Cabinets and agencies in areas such as strategic planning and process improvement, which help agency leadership manage more effectively. GSC staff is also available to provide customized services and training to meet specific organization needs.

The Kentucky Certified Public Manager (CPM) program is the official management certification training plan for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The program is accredited by the National Certified Public Manager Consortium, and is available to state government managers, and employees with management potential. The CPM program is a challenging and comprehensive training curriculum requiring 300 hours of classroom instruction, completion of four projects demonstrating application of what is learned and satisfactory completion of several tests. The program normally takes 4 years to complete and results in official certification as a nationally recognized Certified Public Manager.

Successful completion of the CPM program makes the employee eligible for the Educational Achievement Award, and the employee is credited with two years of management experience in applying for certain state positions. Employees who complete the requirements and are awarded the Certified Public Manager certificate are also eligible to receive nine hours of academic credit toward the bachelor's degree in public administration and six hours toward the master's degree in public administration at Kentucky State University.

Detailed information about all aspects of the CPM program is available from GSC.

Eligible employees may apply for educational assistance through the Tuition Assistance or the Tuition Reimbursement program for courses that are related to the work of their agency. This program is administered on a decentralized basis by the cabinets and agencies that determine their own lists of approved courses, and establish specific internal procedures. The cabinets have the option whether to provide Tuition Assistance, which pays for tuition in advance, or Tuition Reimbursement, which provides reimbursement to the employee after successful completion of a course. Educational Assistance may be granted for studies at public or private colleges and universities, vocational and secondary schools, accredited correspondence schools, and other institutions. Employees who live or work in Franklin County and any adjoining county must take their classes at Kentucky State University, if the course is available there. Please note that under KRS18A's and 101KAR's, an Agency's appointing authority may grant tuition assistance or reimbursement to employees for courses that MAY NOT qualify an individual to meet the minimum requirements for a job outlined on the official Class Specification. Agencies and employees should check with the Personnel Cabinet to determine if the courses, degree etc. qualify to meet the current minimum requirements outlined on the class specification. This does not guarantee that the minimum requirements will not change at a future date based on changing job needs.

To facilitate communication with employees about the services provided by GSC, each agency provides a training liaison as a communication link with GSC and to assist employees by providing information and enrolling them in classes. Employees must schedule training through their agency liaison. Agencies have different request and approval procedures. Please check with your agency liaison for the process in your agency.

The GSC training schedule is prepared quarterly and class schedules are prepared about six months in advance. The workshop schedule and other informative articles about GSC are printed in the employee newsletter, the Commonwealth Communiqué’ that is published quarterly. Agency liaisons also always have access to the most up-to-date schedule information. Schedules, course descriptions, trainer profiles, and other helpful information can be found at GSC web site.

For more information, contact the Office of Governmental Services Center at 502-564-8170.

On the 16th of a month, an appointing authority may grant a five (5) percent increase to an employee's base salary based on educational achievement, as follows:

• The employee has completed 260 hours of job related instruction (or the equivalent as determined by the Secretary of Personnel);
• The employee began the course work after becoming a state employee and completed the course work after establishing an increment date;
• The employee has completed the course work within five (5) years of the date on which it was begun;
• The course work has not previously been applied toward an educational achievement award;
• The agency has not paid for the course work or costs associated with it, in whole or in part;
• The employee was not on educational or extended sick leave when the courses were taken;
• The employee has successfully completed the Kentucky Certified Public Manager Program offered by the Governmental Services Center at Kentucky State University;
• The employee has not previously received an educational achievement award for completing the Kentucky Certified Manager Program;
• The employee has obtained the high school diploma, equivalency certificate, or passing score on the GED test:

• Outside of work hours;
• While in state service; and
• On or after January 1, 1984;

• The employee has not previously attained a high school diploma, equivalency certificate, or passing score on the GED test; and
• The employee has not completed college coursework on the undergraduate or graduate level prior to obtaining the high school diploma, equivalency certificate or a passing score on the GED test.

An agency may elect not to participate in the educational achievement program if sufficient funds are not available.

An employee shall not receive more than one (1) educational achievement award in a fiscal year.

An employee shall not receive an educational achievement award and an adjustment for continuing excellence (ACE) based on the same training.

By submitting a personnel action to grant an educational achievement award, the appointing authority shall certify that all of the qualifying conditions established by this section for the appropriate type of educational achievement award have been met