ARCHIVED - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Standards on Knowledge for Required Training

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Q1.  What are the Standards on Knowledge for Required Training (the Knowledge Standards)?

A.  The Knowledge Standards establish the minimum common knowledge required by employees newly appointed to the Core Public Administration and managers at all levels – supervisors, managers, and Executives (EX 01 to EX 05) – regardless of their functions, location of work, organization or profession – in order to meet legal obligations. They do not replace any professional standards for functional specialists that may also be established by the employer.

The knowledge elements developed for managers at all levels (appendix 1 of these new Knowledge Standards) took effect June 15^th, 2007. They include the areas of values and ethics; official languages; management of communications and government information; management of HR, including employment equity; expenditure and financial management; and management of assets and acquired services (including contracting).

The knowledge elements for employees newly appointed to the Core Public Administration are under development and will be included in the Public Service orientation program at a later date (most probably in January 2008).

Q2.  Why has the Treasury Board established these Standards?

A.  On behalf of Treasury Board, as the Employer, the Canada Public Service Agency (CPSA), Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) - including the Office of the Comptroller General (OCG) - and the Public Service Commission (PSC) have worked collaboratively to develop these new Knowledge Standards to support the application of the Policy on Learning, Training and Development and the related Directive on the Administration of Required Training. The Knowledge Standards reflect the Government’s commitment to ensuring that Canadians are served by a skilled, well-trained, professional workforce, as part of ongoing Public Service Renewal.

Q3.  How will these Standards be used?

A.   The Knowledge Standards serve primarily the Canada School of Public Service (the School). As they establish the employer’s minimum common knowledge required of managers at all levels, the School uses these Knowledge Standards to inform its design and regular updating of the required training programming it delivers under the Policy on Learning, Training and Development and the related Directive on the Administration of Required Training.

Q4.   How do new public servants and newly appointed supervisors, managers and executives obtain the required training?

A.  If you are required to participate in one of these courses, your department/agency will have already informed the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS) that you are eligible and you should have received an invitation. To register, you must then contact the School’s Client Contact Centre. For more information and eligibility on required training, please contact your Required Training Coordinator (RTC) from the List of Departmental Required Training Coordinators (PDF).

Q5.  If a manager or executive has already successfully validated before December 31^st, 2006, must s/he redo the on-line knowledge validation now that these new Standards have been established?

A.  No. Thanks to a close collaboration between Central Agencies and the Canada School of Public Service, earlier versions of the draft standards were used to develop the courses, programs and knowledge assessment instruments related to required training. Consequently, managers and executives who have already successfully validated their knowledge need only validate again within the next five years, as required by the Policy on Learning, Training and Development and the related Directive on the Administration of Required Training.

Q6.  How often will these Standards be updated?

A.  The Knowledge Standards will be reviewed on an annual basis. In addition to yearly updates, the policy authorities in the Central Agencies (CPSA, TBS, OCG and PSC) are responsible for promptly informing the Canada Public Service Agency (CPSA) and the Canada School of Public Service of any changes to legal and policy instruments that may have a substantial impact on required training knowledge elements under their responsibility. The most current version of the Knowledge Standards, as well as the other Treasury Board policy instruments linked to the knowledge elements listed within the standards, are posted on the TBS and CPSA websites.

Q7.  Where can I get additional information about the Standards or the knowledge elements listed within its appendices?

A.  Interpretation of these Knowledge Standards, or questions of a general nature about them, can be directed to the Leadership Network, Canada Public Service Agency in Ottawa Ontario K1A 0R3, Tel: 613-996-1353, Fax: 613-943-5520, or email: TLNCorres.@hrma-agrh.gc.ca.

Questions specific to any knowledge element listed in the appendices should be directed to your departmental functional specialist or, if necessary, the responsible policy authority within the relevant central agency. Contact information is stated within each Treasury Board policy instrument posted on the Internet website.