<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 13A.11.04.04" title_num="13A" subtitle_num="11" chapter_num="04" heading="Training.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Establishment.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Division with the active participation of the Committee shall develop training, retraining, and upward mobility programs for blind persons who are vendors or potential vendors.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Division shall ensure that effective programs of vocational and other training services are provided to blind persons as vocational rehabilitation services under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Training Curriculum and Materials.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Division shall develop training materials for the program and shall review annually and revise the materials, as necessary.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Formal training shall include but not be limited to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Pertinent laws and regulations including the Randolph-Sheppard Act and these regulations;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Customer service;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Business math, money management, and budgeting;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Merchandising;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Merchandise-inventory control;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Financial reporting and analysis;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Housekeeping;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>Sanitation certification;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>Food preparation and menu planning;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(j)">
        <text>Safety;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(k)">
        <text>Taxes;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(l)">
        <text>Vending machine operations;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(m)">
        <text>Personnel management and employee relations;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(n)">
        <text>Practical training at a community college or other contractor;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(o)">
        <text>On the job training (OJT) with a licensed vendor or vendors; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(p)">
        <text>Other training directly related to vending facility operations as requested by a vendor or the Division.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Training for Potential Vendors.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Training for potential vendors shall be open to all blind persons who:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Indicate a general capacity and desire to operate a vending facility;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Wish to undertake specific training; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Meet the eligibility requirements established in Regulation .03 of this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Classes.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Trainees shall complete standardized classes and on-the-job training in accordance with procedures established in the Administrative Manual.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Training shall be flexible enough to terminate training in a particular area once the trainee has demonstrated mastery of the area.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Trainees may be given additional training in areas of deficiency.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Training Standards.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The Division with the active participation of the Committee shall establish and maintain standards to be met by trainees for entry into the training program, and for satisfactory completion of the training program.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The Division shall certify as qualified to operate a vending facility all trainees who have met the standards.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A trainee may be terminated from the training program for:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Failure to satisfactorily complete the training curriculum in terms of academic achievement or demonstration of appropriate interpersonal skills for a retail environment, or both;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Confirmed use of illegal drugs; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Confirmed abuse of legal drugs or alcohol, or both.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Trainees terminated shall be advised of appeal rights and the Client Assistance Program in accordance with COMAR 13A.11.07.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Retraining and Upward Mobility Training.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Division shall provide an opportunity for retraining as needed:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Upon a vendor's request; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Whenever the Division finds that retraining is necessary to enable a vendor to operate a vending facility successfully.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Division shall provide an opportunity for upward mobility training consistent with 34 CFR 395.11.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Any vendor undergoing retraining for any purpose, including improvement of skills, or upward mobility training shall continue to have responsibility for the vending facility to which the vendor is assigned and the Operating Agreement shall remain in effect while the vendor receives retraining or upward mobility training.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>In-Service Training.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Division and the Committee shall jointly sponsor and establish a specific agenda, time, and place for an in-service training conference for all vendors and licensed blind persons on the Ready-For-Assignment List.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Funding for the conference shall be in accordance with funds budgeted by the Division and Committee for this purpose in the annual budget for the program. Conferences shall be designed to provide those attending with up-to-date information concerning developments and procedures within the program, changes in applicable laws, merchandising techniques, and such other matters as the Committee and the Division may determine to be desirable.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>