Section 394.44. Licensee assistance and training generally.

(1) To ensure the maximum financial return and that employment opportunities for successive blind persons are preserved, a licensee shall receive reasonable systematic assistance and in-service training in all of the following areas:

(a)     The keeping of accounts.

(b)     The selection and purchase of suitable merchandise.

(c)     The maintenance of a clean and attractive vending facility.

(d)    The proper cleaning, maintenance, and sanitation of equipment.

(e)     The utilization of sound business practices and methods.

(2)       A licensee shall receive upward mobility training including further education and additional training or retraining for improved work opportunities. Upward mobility training includes training a vending facility licensee to become a cafeteria facility licensee, which is appropriate upward mobility training as described in subrule (4)(a) of this rule.

(3)    If a licensee and his or her promotional agent have identified specific training needs that would improve the management of a vending facility, then the promotional agent  may  arrange  for  the  training.   The following training is authorized:

(a)     Classroom training at the Michigan commission for the blind   training center in Kalamazoo.

(b)     On-the-job training, either at a licensee's facility or at another program facility.

(c)     Regional group training classes.

(d)       Training provided by a third person that is approved by the commission or training provided by another preapproved source.

(4)         The  commission   shall  reimburse   a  licensee  for  training  only   if  all  of  the following conditions are met:

(a)     The training improves management skills related to current operation or leads to upward mobility within the program.

(b)     The training was requested in writing and preapproved by program staff.

(c)     The training is completed successfully.

(5)     Ongoing vending machine training shall be offered periodically.

(6)      All commission-sponsored group training activities shall be announced on the bid line or by other appropriate means.

(7)     It is the responsibility of the program licensee to make all training requests.

History: 2004 AACS.