Masters Sponsorship the Learning Contract

Masters Sponsorship – The Learning Contract

This form has been developed to facilitate a discussion between an individual applying for support in pursuit of Formal Academic Study (Masters Sponsorship) and their line manager. It is envisaged that both the applicant and the line manager complete the form together and consider honestly, openly and realistically their joint responses to the questions.

1.Section One – Applicant background Information

1.1 Surname: / 1.2 First Name (s):
1.3 Employee Number: / 1.4 E-mail Address:
1.5 Work Address (include Department Name)
PPS Number: ______/ 1.6 Address for Correspondence
1.7 Work Tel No.
Extension (if available) ______/ 1.8 Home Tel No.

2.Section Two – Applicants Current Role Information

2.1 Current Job Title:
2.2. Length of Time in Current Role:
Length of Service with present employer / Years months
______Years ______months
2.3 Consider the Key Objectives of the Current Role
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*Please supply a copy your previous career history details on Appendix A.

3.Section Three – Previous Formal Qualifications

3.1 Please List Previous Qualifications Obtained

Qualification

Key Subject (s)

Awarding Body & Date

Funded Y/N

3.2 Internal Programmes or relevant Continuous Professional Development (CPD) if not listed above.

Qualification

Key Subject (s)

Awarding Body & Date

Funded Y/N

4.Section Four – Details of Proposed Course of Study

4.1 Course Title: / 4.2 Qualification Obtainable:
4.3 College/Institution:
4.4 Course Duration:______academic year (s)
Current year of course ______/ 4.5 No. Weeks/Months Per Year:
4.6 Course Start Date / Please include documentation, which clarifies that this course runs over a minimum of one academic year. Only part-time programmes will be considered.
4.7 What are the main objectives of the course?
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 / 4.8 List Course Modules
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4.9 Total Course Fees / €PER YEAR / € IN TOTAL

5.Section Five – Learning Contract

5.1 Please outline your rationale for applying for the Masters Sponsorship, in terms of previous work experience, qualifications and relevance to your career plans.

5.2 Has any relevant needs analysis or discussion with your manager taken place in advance of submitting the application to ensure the applicant is fully equipped and prepared for this undertaking? Please detail……

5.3 What contribution will the course make in assisting you in the objectives of your present role?

5.4 What is expected to be gained personally (by the applicant) from this course? Have you considered your work life balance, as the time commitment for a Masters Programme should not be underestimated.

5.5 How will the learning relate to current & future management practice?

5.6 Is there an opportunity to pass on elements of future learning from the programme to the applicants’ team or colleagues?

5.7 What areas of local/national (health related) interest could be undertaken as a potential research topic?

6.Section Six – Agreement on Recommended Support

We (the line manager and applicant) agree and propose the following.

We understand that the details beloware proposed only and must be approved centrally.

6.1 Amount of Fees to be Paid in Year One:

6.2 Agreed Study Leave

Number of Days (Year One)

Estimated Date to be taken (Month)

6.3 Agreed Exam Leave (if applicable): ______per exam

Note, if two or more exams fall on the same day, only one exam leave day will be allocated

6.4 Agreed time off to attend course/seminars (Please complete and tick one box only):

Number of Days/Hours

Every (e.g. week, month)

The individual will be rostered so that they are not working these times (although will still work a full week)

The individual will be given the time off to attend this course

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6.5 We agree to meet everyweek to discuss progress, explore how learning can be further shared and discuss support required.

6.6 We agree to discuss the relevance of the subject matter proposed for research purposes in terms of organisational priorities. Thesis subject matter in particular will need to be signed off by the Assistant National Director of HR or service equivalent at Area Level.

Please Note: Exam & Study Leave Guidelines

Applications for study and exam leave should be clarified & agreed with your line manager.

The following criteria apply:

1) Persons pursuing courses at Masters Level may be granted five days study leave in each year of the course.

2) Where examinations fall on a day when the staff member would otherwise be on duty at some stage, examination leave may be granted for the entire day.

7.Section Seven – Agreement on Recommended Support and Learning Contract contd

7.1 Applicants Declaration

I agree with the above & all of the following.

That all material arising from sponsored academic study will become the property of the HSE. Thesis and other researchmaterial willplacedon the Irish Health Repository “Lenus”

I understand that proposed leave entitlements (as outlined above) will be subject to staffing demands at the time.

If I leave the Health Services either during or within24 months of completing the course, I must repay 50% of the feespaid for me in respect of this course.

I will furnish results on successful completion of examinations. Failure to do so will result in recoupment of 50% of fees.

If I fail to attend the programme, which has been funded in advance, the full cost of the course must be repaid.

I agree that recoupment of fees arising from academic study costs can be deducted from monies due to me by the organisation from whatever source available, including gratuities etc.

Signed: ______Date: ______

7.2 Line Managers Declaration

I have held a discussion with about this application. I fully support and recommend this application (based on the terms outlined above).

PLEASE PRINT NAME & Sign
Line Managers Name: ______Job Title: ______
Work Address: ______
Contact Number: ______
Signed:Date:

Mandatory:Line Manager Comments

(For Office Use Only)

/ Signed: /

Date:

Appendix A. Relevant Work History

Date From

Date To

Employer & Grade/Title

Description (max 100 words)

Appendix B. Draft Scholarship Terms & Conditions

Application must be received on or before 15 April 2013 at 5pm

Late applications will not be accepted.

Please read the following terms and conditions before completing the application: -

1)It must be established (by way of screening & Possible interview) that the Masters Scholarship is deemed relevant and beneficial to both the individual and the HSE.

2)The course of study must be part-time and delivered by a recognised and established body/institution. E.G. TrinityCollege/RCSI / IPA etc.,

3)The course will lead to the attainment of a Masters Degree in Health

4)All applicants must be recommended by local managers following completion of learning contracts.

5)Original results must be submitted following the successful completion of the course and any subsequent examinations. Failure to submit this information will result in the process of recoupmentof costs from the employee being enacted. See Section 5.6 Part II

6)Please retain a copy of the application form and any correspondence from this office.

7)Incomplete application forms will not be accepted

8)Original Applications only faxed and/or emailed copies will not be accepted.

9)If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Karen Crawford in Performance & Development, HSE West, First Floor County Clinic, St Conal’s Building, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

074 9109131

087 6672173

Completed Applications should be sent to:

Karen Crawford

Performance & Development HSE West

FirstFloorCounty Clinic

St Conal’s Building

Letterkenny

Co Donegal

Applicants Role & Mangers Role

The Role of the Line Manager

As a line manager it is your responsibility to:

-Ensure a meeting is held between you and the applicant in order to discuss the application

-Prepare for this meeting by working through the form, considering what you would like to contribute and anticipating reactions

-Offer advice and guidance to the applicant, considering both their best interests and the interests of thedepartment/team

-Come to an appropriate and realistic decision as to whether or not the application will be supported.

-If it is not to be supported, the reasons should be clear and specific. Alternative development actionsshould be agreed with the individual.

The Role of the Applicant

As an applicant it is your responsibility to:

-Consider if this course of study is in line with your career development and with the needs of the department/organisation

-Arrange a meeting with your manager to discuss the application for support. In advance of thismeeting you should fill out the form in draft so that you have considered your responses to someof the questions

-Accept and (if necessary) clarify the feedback and advice that your line manager may give you in relation to the application

-Should you be successfully chosen you must commit in writing to completing the course in line with the agreed terms and conditions herein. Therefore you should fully understand in advance of making the application the level of commitment required and be prepared to maximise the benefit of this course both for yourself and the department/organisation. This may involve sharing your learning with others in the team etc.

The applicant must read the application form in its entirety and complete sections one to four before completing sections five and six in association with your line/senior manager.