Spotlite Magazine

No manager approval required

By Maria Nelson, EWP SPEEA co-director and Jeanne Blue, EWP Boeing co-director

If you want to take an Ed Wells Partnership (EWP) class, but can’t get your manager’s approval to attend during your work hours, a new opportunity is coming your way.

EWP has made an effort to move popular class titles to Saturdays and/or evenings to give SPEEA-represented employees more options to access the training to help with their careers.

The effort is gaining momentum this year. Students attending classes on Saturdays routinely share they would not be able to attend during the week because of work commitments and limited available training budget.

The number of different classes offered each Saturday could double, and more will also be offered in the evenings and at lunchtime. Employees can apply to attend those offerings without their immediate manager’s approval for a charge line.

Other off-hour options include the Boeing Education Network (BEN) presentations, usually scheduled on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and available to watch after the broadcast ‘on demand.’ Watch for the EWP bi-weekly email announcing upcoming opportunities and look for classes which indicate ‘no-manager-approval required.’

Shown here are SPEEA Council Reps, activists and Boeing representatives at the recent Seattle Corridor Partnership kickoff. They discussed issues related to Puget Sound and next steps for this collaborative effort that brings together members from site-specific partnership teams.

SPEEA-Boeing Partnership at work

Ed Wells Partnership also supports oppor- tunities for SPEEA and Boeing to work together in other ways. SPEEA and Boeing leaders meet on a regular basis in partnership meetings. Several site-specific partnership teams meet to discuss workplace issues. This is intended as a forum for members’ input and information sharing.

• Everett Roundtable
• Facilities Engineering and Technical
Partnership
• Commercial Aviation Services (CAS)

Partnership/Service Engineering
• Boeing Defense, Space and Security
Partnership
In addition, the Partnership Leadership Team,
including SPEEA representatives and senior level
Boeing managers, meet to discuss areas of mutual
benefit. The Ed Wells Joint Policy Board, includ-
ing SPEEA representatives and Boeing directors,
oversees overall governance and approves fund-
ing for Ed Wells, which has a multi-million dol-
lar budget.

Test your

KNOWLEDGE

of Ed Wells Partnership

How familiar are you with the offerings of Ed Wells Partnership? Take this quiz to find out. Give yourself a point each time you answer yes.

If you’re a Boeing Prof or Tech, have you:

1. Taken more than one technical training class?

2. Taken a professional development class?

3. Participated in a book club?

4. Taken an Ed Wells off-hours training class in the past year?

5. Watched a Boeing Education Network (BEN) presentation sponsored by Ed Wells?

6. Participated in career coaching or consulting to help you map out goals and next steps?

7. Attended a conference with an Ed Wells grant to cover registration and travel expenses?

8. Used the My Ed Wells online tool to remind you to apply for a class you put on your ‘watch’ list?

9. Submitted a suggestion for a course offering?

10. Looked at the 2015 course catalog for classes later in the year?

11. Discussed taking an Ed Wells class with your manager during your Performance Management Define?

12. Taken advantage of an Ed Wells program for the first time between 2013 and now?

12 You might be a good candidate for Ed Wells Ambassador.

9-11 You areon your way to becoming an Ed Wells subject matter expert.

6-8 Getting your money’s worth out of your contract benefit.

4-5 Giving your work and/or career an extra boost.

3 or less Missing opportunities to learn, network and expand your career.

My Ed Wells – online tracking tool

My Ed Wells, available on the Boeing intranet, helps you keep track of the courses you have taken and want to take. With the entire year’s catalogue of classes online, you can pick upcoming classes and put them on your ‘watch’ list. When the registration window opens, you’ll get a reminder email.

If you’re seeking manager approval, discuss your request during a Performance Management meeting and explain how the learning opportunity could help you on the job.