10-144 C.M.R. ch. 607, § 9 - FIELD TRAINING

Summary: This Section pertains to ASPIRE-TANF Field Training in both public and private training sites.

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

A. Field Training is a training opportunity in either the public or private sector for a maximum of thirty (30) hours per week, not to exceed twenty-six (26) weeks per placement. The participant is provided $2.00 per hour for training-related expenses in addition to the support services needed to complete the training (see Section 14 for further information about support services).

B. The purpose of Field Training is to provide the participant on-site career exploration and experience, occupational skills, socialization to work, work maturity skills and family and work management skills.

C. Field Training is a component for participants who:

1. Have little or no experience in a work place; or 2. Have a career goal in which they have limited or no experience.

D. Field Training sites receive no funds from the ASPIRE-TANF program for the Field Training placement.

E. All ASPIRE-TANF Field Training positions will comply with the following U.S. Department of Labor regulations:

1. The training, even though it includes the actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to that which would be given in a vocational school;

2. The training is for the benefit of the participant;

3. The participant does not displace regular employees, but trains under close observation;

4. The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the participant. On occasion operations may actually be impeded;

5. The participant is not entitled to a job at the conclusion of the training period; however, if the training site does have job openings, the participant will be interviewed and considered for hire.

6. The employer and the participant understand that the participant is not entitled to wages or benefits such as Worker's Compensation, medical coverage, vacation or sick leave, etc. for the time spent in training.

II. FIELD TRAINING PROCEDURES

A. Unless the ASPIRE-TANF case manager, the participant or the employer has demonstrated and documented to ASPIRE-TANF that it is in the best interest of the participant, field placements will comprise no more than 10% of an employer's work force.

B. A participant will not be placed in a training site that would be hazardous to health or safety. All sites must be in compliance with EEO regulations.

C. No Field Training sites will be developed or utilized in an organization where there is a labor dispute or where the Field Training component would be in violation of a collective bargaining agreement.

D. Supervision must be provided to Field Training participants for all hours at the training site by the employer or their designee.

E. A Training Agreement and a Training Description must be written for each Field Training assignment and signed by ASPIRE-TANF staff, the participant and the Field Training site supervisor.

F. ASPIRE-TANF staff will monitor the progress of the Field Training participant by visiting the training site and interviewing the supervisor and the participant as often as is necessary to ensure compliance with all policies and procedures of the Field Training component.

G. The Training Site supervisor will maintain a written time and attendance record that will be signed by both the supervisor and the participant. This time and attendance record will be provided to ASPIRE-TANF at least once every four (4) weeks.

H. If the Training Site has job openings in a similar field and with a similar schedule as the Field Training position, and the Field Training participant is not hired for the openings two (2) times, the site will no longer be used by ASPIRE-TANF.

I. No organization, firm or industry in violation of local, State or Federal laws will be eligible to be a Field Training site.

J. The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) policies of the prospective Field Training sites should be assessed to determine if the training will be conducted in a responsive setting and the Training Site is in compliance with EEO and ADA regulations.

K. The Field Training Site must agree to maintain the confidentiality of any information regarding ASPIRE-TANF participants or their immediate families, including information which may be obtained through interviews, tests, reports from public agencies or counselors, or any other source. Without the permission of the participant, such information can be divulged only as necessary for purposes related to the performance or evaluation of the Field Training Agreement, and only to persons having responsibilities under the Agreement.

Notes

10-144 C.M.R. ch. 607, § 9