### EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT

**1. REASON FOR ISSUE**: To revise VA policy on funding for academic
degree training as provided in section 1331 of the Homeland Security Act
of 2002.

2.  **SUMMARY OF CONTENTS/MAJOR CHANGES:**

a\. The Act authorizes agencies to pay for or reimburse employees for
the cost of academic degree training. This change to VA Directive 5015
establishes the framework for exercising the authority of the Act,
specifies the VA officials delegated the authority to exercise the
provisions of Section 1331, and establishes the requirement for written
plans and procedures for exercising the authority of the Act. These
changes will be incorporated into the electronic version of VA Handbook
5015 that is maintained on the [Office of Human Resources Management
website](http://vaww.va.gov/ohrm/Directives-Handbooks/Direct_Hand.htm).
Significant changes include:

b\. Delete paragraph 2b(9);

c\. Add the contents of this change to page 4 after paragraph 2b(8).

d\. On page 6, after 4i add: j. Federal Register, June 13, 2003, and k.
Homeland Security Act of 2002, section 1331.

3.  **RESPONSIBLE OFFICE:** Human Resources Development Service (053),
    Office of Human Resources Management, is responsible for:

a\. Content and administrative oversight of this authority;

b\. Periodic monitoring of the implementation of this authority.

4.  **RESCISSIONS:** None.

5.  This authority terminates June 14, 2004.

## 

## CERTIFIED BY: BY DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY

**OF VETERANS AFFAIRS**

/s/Edward F. Meagher /s/William H. Campbell

Acting Assistant Secretary for Acting Assistant Secretary for

Information and Technology Human Resources and Administration

ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION ONLY

\(7\) Ensure that the selection of employees for training is made
without regard to race, religion, national origin, sex, political
preference, color, marital status, age, disabling condition, sexual
orientation, parental status and with proper regard for their privacy
and rights set forth in 5 U.S.C. 2302(b);

\(8\) Ensure that training facilities and curriculum are accessible to
employees with disabilities;

\(9\) \[Funding for Academic Degree Training: Section 1331(a) of the
Homeland Security Act of 2002 amends the provisions of 5 USC 4107 by
expanding the authority of an agency to pay for or reimburse employees
for the cost of academic degree training.

\(a\) This authority may be exercised when such training contributes:

[1]{.underline}. To significantly meeting an identified agency,
administration, or staff office training need that is consistent with
VA's Strategic Plan;

[2]{.underline}. To solving an identified agency staffing problem;

[3]{.underline}. To accomplishing goals in VA's Strategic Human Capital
Management Plan; and

[4]{.underline}. To a planned, systemic, and coordinated program of
professional development.

\(b\) This authority does not change existing VA policy pertaining to
employees appointed under title 38 USC. VA officials may seek additional
authority under title 38 USC to expand the provisions of this change to
title 38 employees.

\(c\) This authority may not be exercised:

[1]{.underline}. For the sole purpose of providing an employee an
academic degree or as a means for qualifying for a position that
requires an academic degree; or

[2]{.underline}. On behalf of any employee occupying or seeking to
qualify for:

[a]{.underline}. A noncareer appointment in the Senior Executive
Service;

[b]{.underline}. Appointment to any position that is excepted from the
competitive service because of its confidential policy-determining,
policy-making, or policy-advocating character.

\(d\) This authority is delegated from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
to Under Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Other Key Officials, and
Deputy Assistant Secretaries or their designees. They may further
delegate this authority to VISN, MSN, and VBA area directors. This
authority may not be further delegated.

\(e\) Prior to implementing this authority, VA officials in implementing
offices will establish a system of records, and develop written plans
and procedures for:

[1]{.underline}. Accounting of funds spent for academic degree training
and the number of employees and types of programs enrolled in or
completed;

[2]{.underline}. Ensuring competitive procedures for selecting employees
for academic degree training are consistent with the requirements of 5
CFR 335.103(b)(3) and part 300, subpart A of this chapter;

[3]{.underline}. Ensuring institutions awarding an academic degree are
accredited by a nationally recognized body, as recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education; and

[4]{.underline}. Certifying how such training will meet VA training
needs, resolve an identified VA staffing problem, or accomplish a VA
goal in the VA Strategic Human Capital Management Plan.

\(f\) VA Officials exercising this authority will ensure that employees
selected to benefit from this provision are required to sign a continued
service agreement prior to beginning the training.\]

\(10\) Consider professional conferences as training when the announced
purpose of the educational or instructional conference meets all the
other conditions of 5 CFR 410.404.

c\. **Presidential Appointee Training**

\(1\) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will authorize all training for
VA officials appointed by the President. This authority may not be
further delegated to a subordinate. The decision to provide training to
the Secretary will be deferred to the Office of Personnel Management
(OPM). The provisions of 5 CFR 410.302 (b) (1) and EO 11895 will be
followed.

\(2\) Requests for training for Presidential appointees will be
processed through the office of the Director, Human Resources
Development Service. The request will include:

\(a\) A completed SF 182. This will be submitted at least 10 working
days prior to the start of the training;

\(b\) A statement justifying the training and describing how the
official will apply it during his or her term of office; and

\(c\) A description of the training, its location, vendor, cost, and
duration.

d\. **Contributions or Awards.** The provisions of 5 CFR 410.502 and
guidance from VA Ethics Office will be followed. The authority to
authorize VA employees to accept cash or in kind services for training
is delegated to administration and staff office heads.

e\. **Continued Service Agreements (CSA) 5 CFR 410.309.** Each
administration and staff office head will develop policies that protect
the interests of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The policies

will require each employee to sign a CSA before training begins. The
minimum Departmental standard for requiring a CSA is courses that are 40
hours in length and cost at least \$500.00. Administration and staff
office heads may develop policies that are more restrictive. Each
administration and staff office head will establish written procedures
for recovering costs and written procedures for waivers associated with
failure to complete required service of their employees' agreements.

f\. **Repayment of Training Costs.** In accordance with 5 CFR 410.405,
VA employees who fail to complete training for which VA incurs a cost
will be required to repay all training costs (less salary and other
compensation). Waiver procedures for repayment of training costs will be
determined by each administration.

c\. The Human Resources Development Service (053), Office of Human
Resources Management, is responsible for oversight of VA training
policy.

**4. REFERENCES**

a\. 5 CFR, parts 410 and 412.

b\. 5 U.S.C., chapter 41.

c\. OPM Training Policy Handbook (HRD 97-01).

d\. Federal Acquisition Regulation.

e\. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) General Records
Schedule.

f\. Executive Order (E.O.) 11348 as amended by E.O. 12107, providing for
the further training of Government employees.

g\. E.O. 11895, Delegating Authority of the President to Designate
Individuals Appointed by the President to Receive Training.

h\. E.O. 13111, Using Technology to Improve Training Opportunities for
Federal Government Employees.

i\. E.O. 13160, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Race, Sex, Color,
National Origin, Disability, Religion, Age, Sexual Orientation, and
Status as a Parent in Federally Conducted Education and Training
Programs.

\[j. Federal Register, June 13, 2003.

k\. Homeland Security Act of 2002, section 1331.\]