September 21, 1987 M20-4, Part I

CONTENTS\
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CHAPTER 10. Education, Training and Human Resources Development for
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1.
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September 21, 1987 M20-4, Part I

CHAPTER 10. Education, Training and Human Resources Development for
Information Technology

1\. PURPOSE. This chapter contains policy for the provision of
management and technical education and training to appropriate DVB
systems user and ADP applications personnel.

2\. SCOPE. The provisions of this chapter apply to DVB Central Office
and regional offices including DVB personnel at other VA field
facilities.

3\. BACKGROUND

a\. The education and training requirements for personnel engaged in ADP
activities are unique. Managers of such personnel must possess a high
level of management skills to effectively direct the organization.
However, because of the volatile nature of ADP activity, training for
effective management skills is ever more important for managers in a ADP
organization.

b\. Additionally, to most effectively develop and use information
technology for the improvement of delivery of benefits and services to
veterans and their dependents, managers must be kept generally aware of
both the capabilities and limitations of the technology and its
potential application to program areas. As innovation in hardware,
software and telecommunications continues in the marketplace,
capabilities of the technology increase while limitations decrease. This
evolutionary process of information technology improvement, together
with unit cost reduction, makes it increasingly necessary for continued
management education about technological change.

C. ADP analysts must also be trained on a continual basic because ADP
skills which are current and relevant today may become obsolete in a
short time. These conditions make it necessary to establish and maintain
an ongoing and progressive ADP training and education program in DVB to
ensure that appropriate management personnel are computer literate and
that staff personnel are educated and trained to provide effective use
of technology.

d\. The implementation of this policy will provide an enhanced resource
pool of systems users and ADP developers who are appropriately educated
and trained in management, the management of information technology, the
process of systems design and development and the most effective
employment of technology for the DVB mission.

4\. REFERENCE

MP-6, part 1, chapter 15.

5\. DEFINITIONS

a\. Computer Literacy: A category of non-technical education regarding
the terminology and use of information technology and its general
capabilities as a problem-solving or production tool.

b\. Education: The acquisition of knowledge related to, but not
necessary for, the performance of a specific job.

C. Information Technology Education and/or Training: Processes to
educate or train personnel for the acquisition of knowledge or skills
and abilities in the subject areas of hardware, software, data
structuring, telecommunication, office automation or end-user computing.

d\. Training: The acquisition of skills or techniques related to, and
necessary for, the performance of a specific job.

6\. POLICY

DVB will:

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M20-4, Part I September 21, 1987

a\. Continually strive to enhance the managerial and technical
knowledge, abilities and skills of personnel involved in activities
related to information technology.

b\. Establish and maintain an ongoing program of education and training
related to information technology.

c\. Conduct periodic needs assessments to determine the various
categories and levels of education and training needed.

d\. Educate and/or train appropriate DVB management and staff personnel.

e\. Acquire information technology education and training in a cost
effective manner including considering the use of existing in-house,
interagency and commercially available education and training which has
been determined to be effective, before considering the acquisition of
customized training.

f\. Centralize the program of information technology, education and
training in a single DVB organization.

7\. RESPONSIBILITIES

a\. The DCBDs for Program Management and Field Operations will:

\(1\) Ensure that all management personnel become computer literate and
are educated or trained commensurate with their involvement in ADP or
telecommunications activities.

\(2\) Coordinate with the DCBD for ADP Systems Management, the conduct
of education and training needs assessments to determine the categories
and levels of ADP education and training which should be offered to
their personnel.

\(3\) Coordinate with the DCBD for ADP Systems Management to arrange the
provision of appropriate education and training.

\(4\) Publicize potentially effective information technology education
and training opportunities to their personnel.

\(5\) Develop an annual plan, based upon the needs assessment, for the
provision of ADP education and training and furnish that plan to the
DCBD for ADP Systems Management.

b\. The DCBD for ADP Systems Management will:

\(1\) Establish, centralize and maintain a DVB program of information
technology education and training.

\(2\) Conduct DVB-wide need assessments to determine the various
categories and levels of education and training needed.

\(3\) Evaluate available in-house, interagency and commercially
available education and training and determine their value in terms of
DVB needs.

\(4\) Ensure that users receive ADP training when they have identified
their training requirements.

\(5\) Acquire information technology, education and training for DVB
Central Office in a cost effective manner.

\(6\) Approve the acquisition of information technology, education and
training for DVB field facilities and for DVB personnel located at other
VA field facilities.

\(7\) Publicize information technology, education and training
opportunities together with an assessment of potential effectiveness.

\(8\) Plan for DVB-wide information technology, education and training.

\(9\) Manage and control the DVB information technology training budget.

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