Common use of Goals and Priorities Clause in Contracts

Goals and Priorities. The State of Illinois and AFSCME are committed to improving career advancement opportunities for employees in classifications listed in Schedule A. It is the goal of the State to provide employees with training and promotional opportunities through the Upward Mobility Program. In the interest of enhancing the ability of employees to qualify for positions targeted in the Upward Mobility Program, the State and AFSCME will: (a) initiate and/or identify training programs to allow career paths; (b) contract for or provide course offerings that satisfy the requirements necessary for career movement; (c) offer prior learning assessment services to assure proper credit to employees for the skills and knowledge they have attained; and (d) publicize, counsel and otherwise encourage employees to pursue career opportunities within the program. Further, the parties agree to seek college credit or continuing education units for courses offered through the Upward Mobility Program. In order to assist the State in achieving the goals set forth above, an Advisory Committee comprised of an equal number of representatives from the Union and the Employer shall oversee the Program. The Committee's mission shall be to develop recommendations regarding which position classifications are appropriate for training programs contemplated in paragraph 2, to identify the publicity and counseling efforts necessary for implementation, and to identify the providers of services in (a), (b), (c) and (d) above. Targeted position classifications may be within any existing AFSCME bargaining unit or may be classifications which represent a bridge to career advancement outside any AFSCME bargaining unit for AFSCME bargaining unit employees.