Developing a Realistic Training
Plan for Your Staff
Debra Robertson & Buzz Refugio
Department of Student Financial Aid
Texas A&M University
The “unreality” zone
• Your travel and training
budget is $10,000 per
person
• Your administration fully
supports any and all
training requested, and
even suggests attending
others and giving more
money
• You have enough staff and
other coverage to allow
each person to be off 1-2
days a week for
professional development
The drop to reality…
• Your travel and training
budget is $100-$1,000 per
person
• Your administration has
no idea how much training
and travel you actually do
or really need
• You have enough staff and
other coverage to get the
jobs done, but must
carefully plan and prepare
for professional
development
Myths vs. Reality
• We don’t have time
– We’re too busy
• It costs too much
• Yes, you do have time
– It’s a choice: Make the time
• Not all training involves
cost
– Investment towards
improving services
• There’s no benefit to the
individual
• People are your greatest
asset
– Tied to performance
evaluation
• Administration will never
support it
• You have to make the case
but it can be done
Free or Minimal Cost Training
• Lenders
– Sallie Mae, Chase, Bank
One
• Focus on soft skills, team
building, customer service
– USA Funds
• Train on own product and
pertinent financial aid
topics
• State Coordinating Boards
• Agencies or commissions
Training That Costs
• Conferences
– Financial Aid
Associations
– NSPA
– NASPA
– Access Group
• Commercial Training
Formal Education
• Pursuing a degree
– When working in higher
education, you should
encourage it
• Taking class during
working hours
• Reward for degrees
completed related to job
• Certification programs
– Certified Financial Planner
– CPA
– Technology
Internal Professional
Development Opportunities
• Other departments
• Other staff members
within department
– Books
– Seminars attended
– Areas of expertise
• Faculty and staff from
other areas of
university/college
External Professional
Development Opportunities
• Conferences
– SWASFAA, NSEA, NSPA,
NASPA, EAC
• Seminars and workshops
– ED, Coordinating Board
– Commercial training
• Fred Pryor, AMA
• Collaboration with other
colleges and universities
• Collaboration with
industry partners
– Lenders, agencies
• Collaboration with other
agencies and organizations
– EEOC, Texas Workforce
Commission, CCCS
• Other associations
– ASTD, IABC, Chamber of
Commerce
• Other professionals
– CPA, Auditors
Self-Directed Training
• Web based training
– Learnstudentaid.org
• Computer based
training
– SFA Coach
• Video and audio
• Books
Assessing What’s Needed
• Tie to annual evaluations
– Professional development
plan
• Assess service to students
– Surveys, focus groups
• Internal Comprehensive
Program Review
• Peer Review
• Individual diagnostic tools
– Meyers-Briggs, Gallup Poll,
DISC, etc.
Thoughts on training…
•
•
•
•
•
Be informed
Be creative
Be specific
Be proactive
Win – Win
– Cultivate relationships
– “Total philosophy of
human interaction”
Two roads diverged in a wood and I -I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
~Robert Frost~