RD Instruction 2057-A

PART 2057 - TRAINING

Subpart A -- Rural Development Employee Training and Development Program

## Table of Contents

[Sec]{.underline}. [Page]{.underline}

2057.1 Legal basis for Federal employee training. 1

2057.2 Rural Development policy. 1

2057.3 Definitions. 1

\(a\) Government. 1

\(b\) Government facility. 1

\(c\) Interagency training. 2

\(d\) Non-Government facility. 2

\(e\) Training. 2

\(f\) Meeting or conference. 2

2057.4 Categories of training. 3

\(a\) Orientation training. 3

\(b\) Induction training. 3

\(c\) Program training. 3

\(d\) Clerical, stenographic, secretarial, and other

office training. 3

\(e\) Administrative, management, and supervisory

training. 3

\(f\) Engineering, technical, and related training. 3

\(g\) Technician and support training. 3

\(h\) Other training. 3

2057.5 - 2057.8 Reserved

2057.9 Responsibilities. 3

\(a\) Administrator. 3

\(b\) Training Policy Board. 3

\(c\) Deputy Administrator, Financial and Administrative

Operations. 3

\(d\) Director, Organization, Management and Training

Division (OMTD). 4

\(e\) Deputy Administrators, Assistant Deputy

Administrators, and Assistant Administrators. 4

\(f\) State Directors. 4

Supervisors. 5

\(h\) Employees. 5

2057.10 Selection and assignment of employees for training. 5

2057.11 Authorizing training. 5

2057.12 Authority to approve training. 6

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Table of Contents (Con.)

[Sec]{.underline}. [Page]{.underline}

2057.13 - 2057.16 Reserved

2057.17 Allowable expenses for training courses. 6

\(a\) Travel expenses for local courses. 6

\(b\) Limitation of purchase of books. 6

\(c\) Limitations of payment of course fees. 6

\(d\) Limitations of payment of late registration fees. 6

2057.18 Cancellation of, or substitution for, training. 7

\(a\) Employee\'s responsibilities. 7

\(b\) Supervisor\'s responsibilities. 7

2057.19 Annual training plans. 7

2057.20 Training through non-Government facilities. 7

\(a\) Limitations. 8

\(b\) Not more than 1 year in 10. 8

\(c\) Waiver. 8

2057.21 Agreement to continue in service. 8

2057.22 - 2057.50 Reserved

RD Instruction 2057-A

Part 2057 - TRAINING

Subpart A - Rural Development Employee Training and Development Program

§2057.1 [Legal basis for Federal employee training]{.underline}.

Chapter 41 of Title 5, United States Code, is the basic statute
authorizing employee training throughout most of the Federal Government.
Executive Order 11348 of April 20, 1967, provides agency heads with
additional Presidential direction on the manner in which the general
statutory authority is to be used. Chapter 41 of Title 5, United States
Code, places responsibility for training specifically with the head of
each agency who is authorized and directed to establish needed training
programs. In general, authorities granted by the Government Employees
Training Act are sufficiently broad and flexible to enable an agency to
provide whatever training is necessary to develop the skills, knowledge,
and abilities that will best qualify employees for the performance of
official duties.

§2057.2 [Rural Development policy]{.underline}.

It is the policy of Rural Development that all employees will be given
the opportunity to receive appropriate training to better enable them to
effectively perform their assigned duties in an effective manner.
Employees will be considered without discrimination for any non-merit
reason such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital
status, physical or mental handicap, or membership or nonmembership in
an employee organization.

It is also the policy of Rural Development to operate a training program
whereby National Office officials, the Assistant Administrator and
Director, Finance Office, and State Directors are responsible and
accountable for the training of their subordinate employees. They are
provided with the resources to accomplish that task. It is the policy of
Rural Development that in carrying out the above training
responsibilities, it is the responsibility of the supervisor (or program
manager furnishing the training), with the assistance of the
Organization, Management and Training Division, to provide that training
in the manner that is least costly and provides the greatest training
effectiveness.

§2057.3 [Definitions]{.underline}.

\(a\) [Government]{.underline}. The Government of the United States of
America and the government of the District of Columbia.

\(b\) [Government facility]{.underline}. Any property owned or
substantially controlled by the Government and the services of any
civilian and military personnel of the Government acting in their
official

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

DISTRIBUTION: W, S, D, C Personnel

Training

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RD Instruction 2057-A

§2057.3 (b) (Con.)

capacities. Property that is rented or leased by the Government, or that
is loaned to the Government, is considered to be substantially
controlled by the Government.

\(c\) [Interagency training]{.underline}. Training provided by one
agency for other agencies or shared by two or more agencies.

\(d\) [Non-Government facility]{.underline}.

\(1\) The government of any State, Territory, or possession of the
United States, the government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and
any interstate governmental organization, or any unit, subdivision, or
instrumentality of any of the foregoing.

\(2\) Any foreign government or international organization, or
instrumentality of either, which is designated by the President as
eligible to provide training under the law.

\(3\) Any medical, scientific, technical, educational, research, or
professional institution, foundation, agency, or

organization.

\(4\) Any business, commercial, or industrial firm, corporation,
partnership, proprietorship, or any other organization.

\(5\) Any person not a civilian or military officer or employee of the
Government of the United States or of the government of the District of
Columbia.

\(e\) [Training]{.underline}. The process of providing for and making
available to an employee and placing or enrolling the employee in a
planned, prepared, and coordinated program, course, curriculum, subject,
or routine of instruction or education. Training may be in scientific,
professional, technical, mechanical, trade, clerical, fiscal,
administrative, or other fields which are or will be directly related to
the performance by the employee of official duties for the Government in
order to increase the knowledge, proficiency, ability, skill, and
qualifications of the employees in the performance of official duties.

\(f\) [Meeting or conference]{.underline}. A gathering held to exchange
information, discuss problems, or do business.

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§2057.4 RD Instruction 2057-A

§2057.4 [Categories of training]{.underline}.

\(a\) [Orientation training]{.underline}. Planned introduction for new
employees to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and
Rural Development.

\(b\) [Induction training]{.underline}. For new employees or those being
given new positions. To give training in the duties of the job.

\(c\) [Program training]{.underline}. Training related to the mission of
Rural Development and any changes in policies to meet that mission.

\(d\) [Clerical, stenographic, secretarial, and other office
training]{.underline}. training in these special skills and routines and
in the operation of office equipment.

\(e\) [Administrative, management, and supervisory
training]{.underline}. Administrative and management training are to
develop the knowledge and skills of the employee in administration and
management. Supervisory training is to give an employee the skills and
knowledge needed by a supervisor.

\(f\) [Engineering, technical, and related training]{.underline}.
Planned training designed to increase the skills, knowledge, and
capabilities of employees in these fields.

\(g\) [Technician and support training]{.underline}. Training designed
to give the employees in technical areas the skills, knowledge, and
practice they need.

\(h\) [Other training]{.underline}. Planned education or training not
included in the above categories.

§2057.5 - 2057.8 Reserved

§2057.9 [Responsibilities]{.underline}.

\(a\) [Administrator]{.underline}. Responsible for establishing an
employee development and training program as an integral part of Rural
Development\'s overall personnel management program.

\(b\) [Training Policy Board]{.underline}. Responsible for the overall
Agency training policy as delegated by the Administrator and for
recommending other related matters to the Administrator.

\(c\) [Deputy Administrator, Financial and Administrative
Operations]{.underline}. Responsible for creating and implementing
general policy which lends support to employee development and training.

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§2057.9 (Con.)

\(d\) [Director, Organization, Management and Training Division
(OMTD)]{.underline}. Responsible for:

\(1\) Developing and recommending Rural Development training and career
development policies and operating procedures.

\(2\) Assisting management in the identification of training needs.

\(3\) Reviewing Rural Development training needs.

\(4\) Developing training programs and designing training aids and
materials.

\(5\) Evaluating Rural Development training programs.

\(6\) Preparing training forms and reports.

\(7\) Maintaining a system to meet reporting requirements.

\(8\) Examining training requests for compliance with all applicable
laws and regulations.

\(9\) Maintaining contact with various training sources to keep current
on the latest developments in training and career development.

\(e\) [Deputy Administrators, Assistant Deputy Administrators, and
Assistant Administrators]{.underline}. Responsible for:

\(1\) Providing adequate training to subordinate employees to
effectively perform their official duties.

\(2\) Preparing annual training plans.

\(3\) Recommending training.

\(f\) [State Directors]{.underline}. Responsible under the Agency\'s
decentralized training program tor:

\(1\) Conducting an annual training needs analysis.

\(2\) Providing adequate training of employees to effectively perform
their official duties.

\(3\) Establishing training priorities within the Administrator\'s goals
and objectives.

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§2057.9 (f)(4) (Con.) RD Instruction 2057-A

\(4\) Preparing and monitoring training budgets.

\(5\) Recommending training.

\(6\) Delivering training programs.

\(7\) Preparing annual training plans.

\(8\) Preparing training forms and reports.

\(g\) [Supervisors]{.underline}. Responsible for:

\(1\) Orientation of new employees.

\(2\) Recommending training for subordinate employees.

\(3\) Preparing annual training plans.

\(4\) Training employees.

\(h\) [Employees]{.underline}. Responsible for:

\(1\) Requesting training.

\(2\) Satisfactorily completing all training courses.

\(3\) Prompt written notification to supervisors and the authorizing
officials whenever training courses will not be completed.

§2057.10 [Selection and assignment of employees for
training]{.underline}.

Rural Development will ensure that eligible employees are given
reasonable opportunities for consideration in selections for training.

Merit promotion procedures will be followed in selecting career or
career-conditional employees for training that is given primarily to
prepare a trainee for advancement and training that is required for
promotion.

§2057.11 [Authorizing training]{.underline}.

Nominations for training must be authorized by the appropriate
authorizing official before the nominee attends the training program.
Therefore, any request for training should be received in the
authorizing official\'s office at least 15 working days prior to the
scheduled course starting date or nomination deadline to allow time for
authorization and processing.

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§2057.12

§2057.12 [Authority to approve training]{.underline}.

The following officials are responsible for authorizing training:

\(a\) State Directors and the Assistant Administrator Accounting and
Director, Finance Office may authorize training for their employees if
the total cost, including tuition, books, materials, travel and per diem
(excluding salary), is less than \$2,000 per course and/or the training
is less than 80 hours.

\(b\) The Director of OMTD may authorize training for all employees if
the total cost, including tuition, books, materials, travel and per diem
(excluding salary), is less than \$2,000 per course and/or the training
is less than 80 hours.

\(c\) The Deputy Administrator, Financial and Administrative Operations
may authorize training when the total cost, including tuition, books,
materials, travel and per diem (excluding salary), is \$2,000 or more
per course and/or is 80 hours or more.

§2057.13 - 2057.16 Reserved

§2057.17 [Allowable expenses-for training courses]{.underline}.

For employees who are to take training courses for official purposes,
Rural Development may pay costs of salary, tuition, travel, per diem,
books, registration fees, and laboratory fees during the period of
training to the extent that funds are available. However, these
reimbursements are limited, or qualified for certain training
situations, as indicated below:

\(a\) [Travel expenses for local courses]{.underline}. For local
courses, Rural Development may pay transportation expenses of the
individual attending the training. Documented parking expenses may also
be included.

\(b\) [Limitation on purchase of books]{.underline}. Rural Development
may pay only for those basic textbooks which are required for each
course. The cost of books must be estimated on the training request.
Costs for any recommended supplemental texts are to be borne by the
employee.

\(c\) [Limitations of payment of course fees]{.underline}. Activity fees
and other optional fees are to be borne by the employee. If such fees
are required, the Agency may bear the cost.

\(d\) [Limitations of payment of late registration fees]{.underline}.
Late registration fees will be paid by Rural Development only in cases
in which the late registration is the fault of the Agency and when the
requesting office has followed appropriate requesting procedures.

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§2057.18 RD Instruction 2057-A

§2057.18 [Cancellation of, or substitution for, training]{.underline}.

If cancellation or substitution becomes necessary, a memorandum stating
the reason for the desired action and the training forms for nomination
of a substitute should be submitted through the same channels as the
original request and recommendation forms. When time is a factor,
cancellation or substitutions should also be telephoned through the
appropriate channels. If the appropriate cancellation/substitution
action does not take place, the original nominee may be held responsible
for reimbursing Rural Development for the costs incurred.

\(a\) [Employee\'s responsibilities]{.underline}. Once the employee has
begun the course, or has not cancelled it in time to avoid a cost to
Rural Development, he/she must submit a memorandum specifying his/her
reasons for withdrawing from the course, through his/her immediate
supervisor, to the authorizing official, for the official\'s decision
regarding possible reimbursement by the employee of funds expended for
the training course (not including salary).

\(b\) [Supervisor\'s responsibilities]{.underline}. The supervisor is
ultimately responsible for ensuring that the employee who withdraws from
a course notifies the authorizing official, the educational institution,
and other personnel as required. Every effort should be made to obtain a
substitute. The supervisor should also forward with the employee\'s
memorandum his/her written recommendation on the validity of the
employee\'s request, and indicate whether he/she is of the opinion that
reimbursement should be required of the employee.

§2057.19 [Annual training plans]{.underline}.

State Directors, Deputy Administrators, Assistant Deputy Administrators,
and Assistant Administrators are responsible for the development and
submission of their annual training plans. The requirements for the plan
will be established in the materials sent requesting the plans each year
as a part of the Resource Management planning process.

§2057.20 [Training through non-Government facilities]{.underline}.

The training of employees may be authorized only after the head of the
agency or his designee, (State Directors, Assistant Administrator,
Accounting and Director, Finance Office, and Director, Organization,
Management and Training Division) has determined whether adequate
training is not reasonably available from Government facilities.
Government facilities must be selected when adequate training is
reasonably available from them: non-Government facilities must be
selected when adequate training is not reasonably available from
Government facilities. The head of the agency or his designee, (State
Directors, Assistant Administrator, Accounting and Director, Finance
Office, and Director, Organization, Management and Training Division)
will determine that

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RD Instruction 2057-A

§2057.20 (Con.)

adequate training is not reasonably available from Government facilities
when: (1) Existing agency programs will not adequately meet the need,
new programs cannot be established in time to meet the need, and
reasonable inquiry has failed to disclose the availability of suitable
and adequate programs elsewhere in the Government; or (2) The training
programs of Government facilities would be more expensive (because of
such costs as travel, salary, and the facility\'s fee) than the training
programs of non-Government facilities which are adequate to meet the
need. Before any non-Government training is approved, two conditions
must be met. These conditions are: (1) the Agency must have given
reasonable consideration to the existing, or reasonably foreseeable,
availability and use of fully-trained employees to meet the Agency\'s
need, and (2) the Agency must have determined that adequate training is
not reasonably available within the Government to meet the Agency\'s
need.

\(a\) [Limitations]{.underline}. An employee must have a minimum of 1
year of current, continuous, civilian service to be eligible for
training in non-Government facilities unless a waiver is granted by the
authorizing official.

\(b\) [Not more than 1 year in 10]{.underline}. Time spent by an
employee in training thorough non-Government facilities cannot exceed 1
year in the first 10-year period of his or her continuous and
noncontinuous civilian service in the Government following the date of
initial entrance into the civilian service and in each 10-year period of
service thereafter.

\(c\) [Waiver]{.underline}. For employees referred to in paragraphs (a)
and (b) of this section, a waiver may be granted. A request for a waiver
must accompany the training request.

§2057.21 [Agreement to continue in service]{.underline}.

Before an employee is assigned to training through a non-Government
facility under the law, he/she must agree in writing to continue in the
employ of the Agency for three times the length of the training period.
If the employee receives no salary during the training period, he/she
must agree to serve the Agency for a period equal to the length of
training, but in no case less than one month, unless the training is
excepted from such an agreement when:

\(a\) An employee is selected for training that involves no expense to
the Government other than his/her salary.

\(b\) The head of the Agency considers an exception justified for the
following types of employees:

\(1\) An employee selected for training provided by manufacturers as a
normal service incident to initial purchase or lease of their products
under procurement contracts.

\(2\) An employee selected for training that does not exceed 80 hours
within a single program.

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RD Instruction 2057-A

§2057.21 (b)(3)(Con.)

\(3\) An employee selected for training which is given through
correspondence courses.

Additional information about continued service agreements can be found
in the Federal Personnel Manual, Chapter 410, Subchapter 5-7.

2057.22 - 2057.50 Reserved

## oOo

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