AGENDA #8a

 

BUDGET WORKING PAPER

 

TO:                  W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

FROM:            Bob Avery, Director of Information Technology

 

SUBJECT:       Town Employee Opportunities for Computer Training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

 

DATE:             April 2, 2003

 

 

The purpose of this working paper is to provide information about Town employee access to computer training resources at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

 

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

 

The University offers a number of options for computer training courses that are available to University staff and students. These include University courses for students, continuing education courses for part-time students, non-credit courses for students and staff, and online training for students and staff. Commercial classroom training by various vendors is also used to supplement the University-provided training.

 

These programs are not available to the public (i.e. non-student and non-staff) and thus are not available to Town employees unless they are associated with the University as a student or through a staff affiliation.

 

Town employees needing specialized computer training have typically received this through classroom courses provided by commercial vendors. The cost of these courses (typically $150 - $400 per day) has limited the number of employees who can attend.

 

The Town uses several means to provide needed training using Town facilities and resources. Computer display projectors are used to provide classroom style training. Self-paced computer training courses are available for basic desktop software applications. The Information Technology Department has developed a computer training room that can accommodate hands-on training for individuals and small groups. The Library is planning to provide a similar capability for larger groups by using computers available for Internet access to conduct training for employees during morning hours before the Library opens.

 

The most frequent need for training is in using special features of certain programs or in resolving problems encountered while performing a specific task. These questions are referred to the Information Technology Department’s Helpdesk for assistance and resolution. When a group of users have the same need or question, this information is provided through printouts or network web pages. This effort has developed over the past year and will continue to expand. The Information Technology Department will continue to explore ways to enhance and improve computer training opportunities for Town employees.