TO: University Employees

Employee e-learning is available until January 30, 2009 to all active University employees at no charge to you or your department

The University has entered into a contract with SkillSoft Corp. to continue the availability of e-learning courses for all UA employees for a 12 month period.  This decision was based upon the positive employee feedback last Fall during a pilot when UA employees tried and evaluated SkillSoft's resources.   A summary of the pilot results can be found at the Statewide HR website:  http://www.alaska.edu/hr/training/e-learning/skillsoft.xml

SkillSoft provides these “e-learning” courses to corporate and government clients around the world and more than 150 universities subscribe to this service.  Hundreds of e-learning courses and job aids can be accessed 24x7 from a desktop computer on or away from campus. The available courses cover business skills, desktop (Microsoft Office—Word, Excel, etc.), information technology, preparatory exams for certification, environmental, health and safety and workplace compliance topics.  

Benefits of e-learning:

• Convenient:  Access training anytime, anyplace.  Learn at your own pace.   
• Flexible:  Take a course online or download and work offline.  Start and stop a course as often as needed; bookmark your place to return later. Course completion could range from 1.5 to 4 hours and are approximate lengths only.  Optional pre-testing is available so you can skip material and spend time only in needed areas 
• Cost Effective:  Reduce cost of materials production, travel time and expenses

Supervisors will still have the responsibility to properly schedule work and minimize disruption to the services provided to internal and external customers.  Therefore, we request that you obtain approval from your supervisor before viewing courses during the work day.  In general, you would schedule your “attendance” at an e-learning course in a similar manner as you would with other training sessions.

NOTE:  In accordance with wage and hour and overtime pay regulations, supervisors are asked to schedule job-related training for non-exempt (overtime eligible) employees during regular work hours when at all possible.  If you and your supervisor have identified job-related training and your supervisor approves your request to work on a job-related course outside normal work hours, the permission and amount of time granted should be clear to both you and your supervisor.  However, if you (as a non-exempt and overtime eligible employee) initiate and voluntarily choose to view any courses during non-work hours, it is not compensable time.  If you choose to access these courses on your personal time, it is your own choice and not paid time.  If you have questions or need clarification, please contact your HR consultant.

The e-learning courses are not intended to replace instructor-led sessions or university courses for which employees request tuition waivers.  Nor will these courses replace UA-specific training. The online material may supplement current employee development offerings or provide an option at campuses where employee development offerings are not as readily available. 

HOW TO USE IT: 

A five-minute flash tour on the HR e-learning webpage SkillPort Flash tour (5-minute) describes how the program works. Employees may check out available courses by logging into the site from the Statewide HR Website http://www.alaska.edu/hr/training/e-learning/skillsoft.xml or through the MyUA Portal.  The login requires the UA user name or ID number and the MyUA Portal/EDIR password. If you experience technical difficulties, follow the directions on the site or contact your local helpdesk or call center. 

UAA:  786-4646, 1-877-633-3888 or callcenter@uaa.alaska.edu

UAF: 450-8300, 1-800-478-8226 or helpdesk@alaska.edu

UAS:  796-6400, 1-877-465-6400 or helpdesk@uas.alaska.edu

SW:  450-8300, 1-800-478-8226 or helpdesk@alaska.edu

If you have any questions about the e-learning program or to request a demonstration, please contact

UAA:  Dawn Evans, andme@uaa.alaska.edu; 786-1425

UAF:  Brad Lobland, fnbal@uaf.edu; 474-6112

UAS:  Kirk McAllister, Kirk.McAllister@uas.alaska.edu; 796-6473

SW:  Anne Sakumoto, anne.sakumoto@alaska.edu; 786-1432

If you have any questions about the pilot or the results, feel free to contact me directly.  Thank you.  Anne   

Anne Sakumoto, PHR
Director, Faculty/Staff Training & Development
University of Alaska
Human Resources Department
1815 Bragaw Street, Suite #209
Anchorage, AK  99508-3438
(907) 786-1432 - office  /  (907) 786-6139 - fax