Training Opportunity Program (TOP)

TOP Schedule and Class Descriptions | How to Register for TOP Classes
Completion Form for Other Classes for TOP Credit

PROGRAM PURPOSE & DESCRIPTION

Employee training and continuing education are an integral part of the success and efficiency of SCF's operation and are instrumental to employee development within their jobs. In order to accomplish the mutual benefit of an increasingly skilled and efficient workforce, both administrators and employees must share responsibility for training and education.

The purpose of TOP at SCF is to provide financial incentives to professional and career employees who complete training/education, which result in a knowledge/skill that enhances their performance in their current job. Only those training and education opportunities that apply directly to the employee's current job as described in the Job Classification Descriptions or approved TOP Track course descriptions will be approved for TOP credit. As with most budget allocations for the next year, the College will await final budget allocations from the State before determining whether TOP classes will be offered for the Fiscal Year.

Human Resources, the TOP committee and Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development (LLL/WD) are jointly responsible for the development of the training/education programs available for TOP. Training needs will be reviewed at regular intervals to ensure that effective training/education is accomplished within the college's financial resources and training priorities. Training/education programs that are eligible for TOP include: designated TOP classes, classes related to current job conducted by SCF's LLL/WD or credit courses, outside workshops and seminars and/or credit courses in a job related outside degree program, or other class that may be instrumental in broadening the skill and knowledge of career employees in the performance of their duties.

ELIGIBILITY

All regular, full-time and part-time professional and career employees are eligible to participate in the
TOP program, and for the annual TOP incentive, during their employment with State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

REGISTRATION
- After meeting with and receiving supervisor approval, employees sign into scf.edu/Training to register for TOP classes. If this is your first time registering for TOP, you will need to create a profile first. After creating your profile, please contact Elena Taddeo (TaddeoE@scf.edu) for a
  TOP membership which will allow you to view/register for TOP classes.
- For detailed registration instructions, please select "How to Register for TOP Classes".
- Once registered, please remember to check your email for confirmations for more information. Some TOP classes contain special notices or manuals to be printed prior to class.
TOP SCHEDULE/OFFERINGS & CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
- TOP classes from the published TOP schedule may not exceed 24 hours annually regardless of whether an employee is using the credit for the annual $250 incentive, or for the career promotion process; with the exception of Stop the Bleed classes.
- TOP credit classes/trainings cannot be used for both the career promotion process and TOP credit, if applying for the $250 incentive.
- Classes/trainings outside of the published TOP schedule paid with personal funds will not be reimbursed from the TOP budget. Certain SCF classes may be covered by the SCF Employee Scholarship or the SCF Employee Non-Credit Scholarship. Proof of completion is required along with the supervisor approved "Other TOP Completion Form".
CERTIFICATES
- After attending each class, the participant will receive a Certificate of Completion electronically from LLL/WD for their records.
FORMS
- Employees completing supervisor approved trainings from the published TOP schedule are
  NOT required to submit a completion form for those classes.
- Employees completing supervisor approved trainings outside of the published TOP schedule are required to complete and submit an "Other TOP Completion Form" after all 24 hours have been completed. Please contact TOP Chair with eligibility questions.
- The "Other TOP Completion Form" must be signed by the employee and their supervisor. Please complete and scan supervisor approved form to the TOP Chair no later than June 30th of the current fiscal year in order to receive TOP credit.
ATTENDANCE
- A roster will be provided for each class. Participants must sign the roster and attend the entire class to receive TOP credit. For remote a class, please ensure the instructor is aware you are in attendance upon class beginning.
- If you need to cancel a class, please contact Elena Taddeo at least one week prior to the scheduled class date (TaddeoE@scf.edu or 67203).
- Employees that do not cancel at least one week prior to class may be penalized with a reduction of their TOP award. Non-attendance does not constitute cancellation.
- After two missed classes (without extenuating circumstances), the TOP payment may be reduced from $250 to $200 for completing 24 hours of classes.

OTHER TOP CREDIT

College credit classes are applicable to TOP only if they are directly related to the eligible employee's current position. (1 hour of college credit = 16 hours of TOP credit. Therefore a 3-hour college credit class for one semester meets all the requirements of TOP for the fiscal year.)

TOP TIME

Eligible employees may use 24 hours of release time each year to participate in TOP and other
TOP qualifying activities during the regular workday, excluding college credit classes.
College credit classes must be taken outside of the employee's work hours.
Hours in excess of 24 cannot carry over to subsequent years nor can hours short of 24 be made up in another year.

TOP AWARD

The TOP program runs on a fiscal year calendar with the lump sum award of $250 being paid out the following December upon completing 24 hours of TOP credit.
Currently, there is no limit on how many times an eligible employee may receive the TOP award during their employment with the college.