Rescinded [2020-04-01] - Standards on Knowledge for Required Training

1.1 These Standards take effect on June 15, 2007.

1.2 Implementation of requirements found in paragraph 5.1 relating to knowledge elements for managers at all levels (Appendix 1) will be phased in no later than September of each year starting in 2008.

1.3 Implementation of requirements found in paragraph 5.2 relating to knowledge elements for employees newly appointed to the core public administration (Appendix 2) will be phased in no later than September of each year starting in 2009.

2.1 These Standards apply to the core public administration - as defined in the Financial Administration Act, i.e. the departments named in Schedule I and the other portions of the federal public administration named in Schedule IV of the Act.

3.1 These Standards establish the common knowledge elements linked to legal responsibilities of managers at all levels and employees newly appointed to the core public administration regardless of their functions, organization or profession. They do not replace professional standards established by functional authorities.

3.2 These Standards help implement requirements stipulated in subparagraphs 6.1.1, 6.2 and 6.4 of the Policy on Learning, Training and Development (the Learning Policy). They provide guidance to the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS) on knowledge elements to incorporate in courses, programs and knowledge assessment instruments developed to meet policy requirements in relation to required training.

3.3 Effective implementation of these Standards results in the following:

3.4 These Standards are issued pursuant to a delegation of the Treasury Board to the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO), the Secretary of the Treasury Board (TBS), and the Comptroller General of Canada (OCG) to issue standards for the portion of the Learning Policy for which they are responsible. This delegation is authorized by section 6 of the Financial Administration Act.

3.5 These Standards are to be read in conjunction with the Policy on Learning, Training and Development, the related Directive on the Administration of Required Training and the Foundation Framework for Treasury Board Policies which explain the purpose of Treasury Board policies and other policy instruments; summarize general requirements common to all Treasury Board policy instruments; and build on the Guidance for Deputy Ministers and Accountable Government: A Guide for Ministers (Privy Council Office) by explaining the general responsibilities, accountabilities and expectations of ministers and deputy heads in applying Treasury Board policy instruments.

4.1 The definitions to be used for purposes of these Standards are those included in the Directive on the Administration of Required Training.

5.1 The list of knowledge elements found in Appendix 1 is to be used by the CSPS to design and regularly update the content of required training courses, programs and knowledge assessment instruments for managers at all levels. Knowledge elements followed by an asterisk (*) are to be integrated on a priority basis in the content of required training courses, programs and knowledge assessment instruments for managers at all levels. The remaining knowledge elements will be integrated in other educational venues.

5.2 The list of knowledge elements found in Appendix 2 is to be used by the CSPS to design and regularly update the content of the required training orientation program for employees newly appointed to the core public administration.

The Orientation to the Public Service program will focus on the employee responsibilities which derive from legislation and related policy instruments listed in Appendix 2: Knowledge Elements for Newly Appointed Employees.

Specific priority elements have not been identified in Appendix 2; rather all are essential content for the required training program for new employees

5.3 Knowledge elements for managers at all levels are organized in the following categories:

• Values and Ethics;
• Official Languages;
• Management of Communications and Government Information;
• Management of Human Resources including Employment Equity;
• Expenditure and Financial Management; and
• Management of Assets and Acquired Services (including contracting).

5.4 Knowledge elements for newly appointed employees are organized in the following categories:

• Values and Ethics
• Official Languages
• Terms and Conditions of Employment
• Employment Equity and Duty to Accommodate
• Communications and Government Information
• Labour Relations and Benefit Plans
• Financial Resources

5.5 The Chief Human Resources Officer, the Secretary of the Treasury Board, the Comptroller General of Canada and the President of the Public Service Commission (PSC) are responsible for establishing and regularly updating these Standards for policy sectors under their responsibility. Policy sectors will update knowledge elements under their responsibility as needed, and provide their updates to OCHRO.

5.6 In addition to providing yearly updates, these organizations are responsible for promptly informing OCHRO and the CSPS of any change to legal and policy instruments that may have a substantial impact on required training knowledge elements.

5.7 OCHRO is responsible for the coordination of updates to the list of knowledge elements by policy sectors and for the release of revised Standards by January 30^th of each year starting in January 2009.

5.8 OCHRO, TBS and the PSC are responsible for working in close collaboration with the CSPS to determine, having regards to the level of participants and training time constraints, the extent to which knowledge elements under their responsibility will be integrated in the required training courses, programs and knowledge assessment instruments.

5.9 CSPS is responsible for establishing, having regards to the level of participants and training time constraints, the proportion of the required training to be devoted to the acquisition of knowledge and its application in the context of their work.

6.1 OCHRO is responsible for reviewing the effectiveness of these Standards at the five-year anniversary of implementation of the Learning Policy. Where substantiated by risk-analysis, OCHRO will also ensure an evaluation is conducted.

7.1 For interpretation of these Standards, please contact:

Public Service Learning Policy
Leadership and Talent Management
Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R5
Tel: (613) 943-5507
Fax: (613) 943-6688
E-mail: re-info@tbs-sct.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/chro-dprh/index-eng.asp