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A Publication Featuring The Information Services Technology of Maine State Government
| Volume V, Issue 9 | September 2002 |
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As the Department of Corrections (DOC) designed the new Maine State Prison in Warren, along with additions and modification to other facilities, a new physical plant design and management philosophy was adopted with the goal of obtaining national accreditation from the American Correctional Association (ACA). ACA training standards require all security personnel have 40 hours of in-service training annually – more than double the hours required for certification by the Maine Criminal Justice Academy! Accreditation also requires all other corrections staff receive additional training hours.
This presents a huge challenge for the department. How do we train staff that cannot be removed from their post during regular hours due to the nature of the work? How will support staff obtain the required 16 to 40 hours of training when the department has staff shortages due to the hiring freeze? Thus began a journey into the world of E-learning, web-based training, computer-based training or training on demand.
Internet based training will allow DOC employees access from any location in the state (possibly including home), which would enable the department to create some interesting incentives to encourage staff participation. Also, because the training is standardized for use department wide it could eventually result in some considerable cost savings. Computer-based training can be tracked through a learning management system like Aspen, which the Bureau of Human Resources will launch this fall for use by all agencies (see http://www.maine.gov/newsletter/july2002/state.htm for more information.) These systems track and report on trainees, course name and duration, and score.
E learning will not replace classroom training but will become part of a blended system of current training methods including classroom, distance (satellite) learning, and field training. E learning will build a library of opportunity for employees to take refresher courses on demand or check a procedure quickly in response to job demands.
The DOC is planning to launch a pilot program later this fall that will coincide with the state’s launch of its learning management system.
