Assistance Policy and Procedure

Staff Training/Education

Assistance Policy and Procedure

1.SCOPE

To define Bison’s policies and procedures on staff training and education assistance.

2.STAFF TRAINING / EDUCATION ASSISTANCE POLICY

General Statement:

Bison Transport values continuous learning, education and training initiatives for all employees wishing to enhance their current skills, develop new skills for advancement within the organization, or for personal development. Bison is committed to continuous improvement in all training and education systems, from new hire orientation and on the job training, through to the highest levels of professional development pursuits. Bison will support employee education and training activities that contribute to overall business and employee development objectives.

Training/Education Assistance Funding Proposals:

Employees may formulate an educational plan in conjunction with their department managers. Educational plans are part of overall succession planning. The Human Resources Group are a resource for research help, however the onus is on the individual to determine the type of program they want to pursue and to present a proposal in writing to their manager.

Acceptable Training and Educational courses include a wide variety of courses and activities generally available through accredited learning educational institutions.

Where applicable, exam challenge and course transfer fees in support of educational programs and professional development activities will be considered under this policy.

Employees interested in attending external training courses are required to fill out a Staff External Training / Education Request Form. Upon approval the employee is responsible to register for the Training/ Education course.

Management will evaluate all training /educational assistance proposals and either accept or reject them based on merit and alignment with business objectives. Decisions will be communicated to the employee directly.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for external training or education assistance, the applicant must be a full time employee, and not on probation for any reason as per Bison policy. Exceptions may be made at management’s discretion, should the training or education be a part of an overall performance improvement intervention for an employee in the progressive discipline system.

Apprenticeship Training:

Attending Apprenticeship Schooling is an earned privilege. In an effort to better prepare our apprentices we need to see exposure in the areas to be covered at the next level. Our apprentices must be in good employment standing before a school date is agreed upon. Apprentices will be evaluated on standard repair times, ability to work well in team environment, attitude, safety records, and sick days. Shop Supervisors will print out the corresponding document for Truck Transport or Transport Trailer Level requirements prior to an agreed upon schooling date (Appendix A & B respectively) to determine whether the Apprentice has successfully completed training in each level.

Company Training / Education Sponsorship:

Situation

Incidental Training / Education Expenses:

• Bison may cover reasonable incidental expenses included in the initial education assistance or training request proposal as well as reasonable unforeseen expenses incidental to attending training.

• Discretion on accepting or rejecting claims of this nature fall to the expense report signing authority.

Record Retention:

Records will be held in employee training/education assistance application file.

Repayment of Training / Education Assistance:

Generally, repayment of training/education assistance will apply to courses, training, or apprenticeships that are a significant investment for Bison. This may include multi-year / multi-course certificate or diploma programs offered through colleges and universities, or other specialty courses. Repayment determination will be made at the discretion of the manager based on the overall financial sponsorship provided to the employee.

If an employee leaves the employ of Bison Transport for any reason while completing a course (regardless of accomplishment), the tuition amount will be deducted from their final pay.

Tuition reimbursed to employees is required to be partially reimbursed back to the Company in the event the employee voluntarily leaves the employ of the Company within one (1) year following the course. Such reimbursement shall be pro-rated on the basis of one twelfth (1/12) of the total costs times (x) the number of full months remaining in the year to be completed by the employee. These repayments will be deducted from the final pay of the departing employee.

• Employee is pro-rated on the basis of one twelfth (1/12)
• Employee pays four (4) months: (4/12) = .33
• Cost $300.00

STAFF TRAINING / EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROCEDURE

1.Employee completes the Staff External Training/Education Request Form.

2.The employee submits form to appropriate manager. Manager will review and discuss overall proposal with employee to ensure completeness.

1. The Manager will advise the employee of the status of his/her application. If an applicant is not approved, the reasons will be provided to the employee. If an application is approved, the manager will advise and begin further processing.

1. The Manager shall forward the original form to the Controller, Finance or designate for processing. The Employee will be required to participate by selecting financial terms, registration options, and other arrangements.

1. Once complete, the Controller or designate shall then make any copies of pages from the application form they may require for Finance Department use.

1. The original form is given back to Human Resources for filing as per record retention documentation. A copy can be made for the Applicant for their personal records, if desired.

1. Employee attends the training course of study. Upon receipt of final mark (where applicable), a copy is provided to the manager. The manager will initial and date this record and forward to HR/People Development to be filed in the employee’s education assistance file.

1. If, for any reason, an employee cancels registration or withdraws from a course where a refund (partial or full) is issued, the employee shall remit payment for the full refund amount to Bison Transport immediately upon receipt of the refund.

1. Failure to attend a training/education program without a satisfactory reason for absence or failure to meet applicable passing requirements may result in being personally responsible for 100% of the course costs.

The original form is given back to Human Resources for filing as per record retention documentation.

1. REVIEW/REVISION

Review/Revision Number

• All completed educational assistance proposals will be reviewed by the appropriate management level and either rejected or approved at that level.

• Added repayment clause

• Tuition being deducted from final pay

• Added Apprenticeship training paragraph

APPENDIX A - TRUCK TRANSPORT LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

Level 1

safety, hazardous materials, and preventative maintenance

equipment access/transport related procedures

welding (oxyacetylene)

engine systems and repair procedures

standard transmission systems, drivelines, transfer cases, and pto’s

tires and wheel assemblies

brake fundamentals and components

electrical fundamentals

Level 2

welding (electric/arc/mig)

differentials, drive axles, and final drives

manual transmissions: multi countershaft and autoshift

hydraulic transmissions, torque converters, and related components

steering systems and frames

hydraulic accessories, components and circuits

basic electronic components

starting systems

charging systems

body electrical and lighting systems

Level 3

inspection procedures: truck and bus

engine diagnosis, startup, tuneup and engine brakes

cabs, restraint systems and attached equipment

hvac and mopia

air brake systems and power assist units

spark ignition systems

fuel system fundamentals, gasoline fuel systems, and alternate fuels

diesel fuel injection, engine management and exhaust systems

Level 4

pre ip review

trailer fundamentals and transport refrigeration

abs system fundamentals and traction control

electronic control systems, programming and scan tools

APPENDIX B - TRANSPORT TRAILER LEVEL EXPECTATIONS

Level 1

trade safety awareness

shop/hand/measuring tools and equipment

hoisting, lifting, and staging equipment

welding, oxyacetylene, and arc

suspensions

wheel end assemblies

wheel off certification

trailer body

air brake systems

electrical theory and circuitry

Level 2

welding 2 mig/tig

air ride/spring ride suspension systems and related components

van/flatdeck trailer body structures and related components

coupling units and landing gear

air brake systems 2

electricity and wiring 1/ introduction to electronics/abs

hydraulic systems 1

Level 3

suspensions 2

electricity and wiring 2 / lighting/charging circuitry/ abs

hydraulic systems 2

fundamentals of heating

fundamentals of cooling

pre-interprovincial review

Control ID: 1126Page 1 of 4

Date: 8/26/13