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AOAC Policy for Re-imbursement of Training Costs (Nov 2007)

The committee believes that subsidising training costs is beneficial to the club because it encourages and promotes:

• the development of specific skills
• participation in outdoor activities
• leadership
• teambuilding

A policy is necessary to provide guidelines to the committee when deciding whether to award a grant toward training.

Grants toward training are available to all club members on an equal opportunities basis.

Grants of up to 50% of the cost or £250 whichever is the greater (cap to be reviewed annually) may be awarded toward training costs.

The committee may also consider making loans to members to assist with training costs whether or not a grant is awarded.

The following criteria may be helpful to the committee. Some criteria are considered mandatory (marked *). A successful application may be expected to meet most/all of these criteria:

1. * Applicant must put forward a proposal to the committee prior to the training taking place, i.e. no retrospective applications.
2. * The applicant will pay up front the full cost of the training.
3. * (i) The applicant will lead / organise / take on a role of responsibility during the resulting club activities OR * (ii) The applicant should have a proven (demonstrable) track record as an active club member.
4. * The applicant must provide receipts and evidence of successful completion of the training.
5. The training must lead to relevant (recognised) skills and /or qualifications.
6. The training enables club members to take part in activities that may not otherwise be available.
7. The training enables more members to take part in activities than would otherwise be possible.
8. The training enables members to take part in new activities.
9. The award of a grant toward training costs represents good value to the club.
10. The training improves Health & Safety during club activities.

Applicants should be aware of these criteria and should address them in their proposal. Assistance should be offered to applicants to enable them to make successful applications.

Committee members may also consider the following points:

• the cost born by the applicant and other members, both of the training and when participating in activities, i.e. some activities like walking are cheap and very popular, others require greater personal outlay, for instance sailing.
• the (likely) popularity of the activity.
• is the activity one that is covered by the club’s insurance policy?

Reimbursement will be on a pro-rata basis. Normally in increments of 10% (of total cost) subject to satisfying criteria number 3. e.g.: J goes on a course that costs £200. The Club subsidises the cost by £100. 5 repayments of £20 (20% of £200) for each subsequent event attended. For the purposes of calculating repayments, a weekend counts as one trip, a week counts as two. If the applicant takes on a leadership role as well as organising a substantial trip, credit can be given for both organising and leading. e.g.: K organises a week long sailing trip and acts as skipper. Two repayments can be made, one for 'leading', and one for 'organising'.

We have a list of recognised courses and qualifications (click here) which may be eligible for subsidy from AOAC funds. The list is by no means exclusive, but other training may require additional information to be provided by the applicant.

 

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