Trainee Program
What is the Trainee Program
The Trainee program was established by the State Universities Civil Service System (SUCSS) to supplement an applicant pool in order to provide a cross-section representation of gender, racial, ethnic and cultural groups.
Western Illinois University uses the following criteria, as outlined by SUCSS, to determine if a Trainee appointment will be beneficial to both the department and the candidate:
- The candidate lacks one or more of the minimum qualifications for the class;
- Recruitment efforts have failed to attract qualified candidates;
- Operating needs warrant ongoing training programs to supplement staffing recruitment efforts.
- There is a recognized need for a specialized training program in a technical or professional failed.
Trainee programs are utilized for those classifications that have an educational, experience, and or skill requirement. The Trainee program allows the University to hire individuals who possess career potential giving an individual an opportunity to receive on-the-job training and or experience.
What are the hiring stipulations for Trainees?
A Trainee can earn no more than 95% of the base salary for the classification in which they are hired. In addition, they do not accrue seniority until after the completion of the Trainee program and probationary period. Seniority is then retroactive to the date the employee was certified to the classification.
The program length varies depending on the classification and the current qualifications of the applicant. A program is written for a minimum of 3 months and can be a maximum of 24 months, however certain positions that require special skills may exceed a 24 month period. A Trainee employee is entitled to the same insurance, educational, and leave benefits as a status employee.
Who determines if a vacancy will be filled with a Trainee?
A department supervisor determine if a vacancy will be filled with a Trainee, as long as there are no current employees on promotional register for the classification to be filled and that the University will not exceed 10% of Trainee employees in the current class.
An appointment with Trainee status may be made by an employer with approval of the Executive Director (State Universities Civil Service System) to any position in which the employer indicates acceptability of a Trainee, except a recognized trade or craft class.
In addition, a Trainee applicant must complete an internal Human Resource office pre-screening interview process. In this process, applicants are interviewed to assess potential for job placement opportunities. The pre-screening assessment is used to help refer candidates to the department for interviews.
