AWARDS trainings are developed from best practices set by the Foothold Technology Training department, topics submitted to our Help Desk, and the needs of our users. 

Our Training Philosophy

Foothold Technology believes that effective training:

  encourages staff to adopt the use of AWARDS

  builds confidence that extends beyond the training session

  reduces reliance on expert users and the Help Desk

  leads to a lasting improvement in staff productivity

  maximizes the agency's return on their investment

  is on-going

  Incorporates a Train the Trainer model

What is Train the Trainer?

Foothold Technology utilizes and promotes the Train-the-Trainer model of training new users on AWARDS. We believe that agencies are best served when they identify, train and support individuals on staff who will teach their colleagues about how to use AWARDS. This enables Foothold customers to develop a robust internal support team, nurture real ownership of the agency's database by the staff who use it, and keep training costs to a minimum. 

For more information about Train the Trainer, click here.

Our Training Policies

Foothold Technology's training policies, outlined below, apply to new customer trainings, as well as to trainings scheduled by established clients.

New Customer Training

As part of their start-up fee, all new Foothold customers are entitled to 2 or 3 full days of Start Up training which are each eight hours in length, and which include two 15-minute breaks and a one-hour lunch period. In addition, most contracts include additional days which can be used at any time.

Training Sites, Travel, and Expenses

A proper training environment can enhance the effectiveness of learning. The customer is responsible for securing an appropriate site for all trainings. For training sites located outside of New York City, training must be scheduled in eight-hour increments at the minimum. Facilities must have internet access and ideally enough computers so that there are no more than two trainees per computer. We encourage agencies that cannot provide a training room to make arrangements for another facility. For agencies near New York City, Foothold can provide access to our training room at no charge. We can also refer your agency to private companies who have rental facilities.

The customer is responsible for the trainer's travel expenses, including, if necessary, flights, trains, and/or car rental, lodging, and meals. Foothold always strives for the most cost-effective arrangements.  We invite input about travel from our customers on our Training Checklist.  (Note:  It is against our policies to stay at properties owned and/or managed by customers.)  Meal expenses are capped at per diem rates.  (Note:  Due to dietary restrictions, we reserve the right to purchase separate meals during training hours.)  If you have any questions, please discuss your training and travel arrangements with the Foothold Training division representative.

Generally, full day trainings run from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Training start times may vary slightly based on the amount of time needed for the trainer to travel to the training site from Foothold's office. For trainings that are not held in New York City, travel time begins at 8:00 am. If anticipated travel time is greater than two hours by automobile, alternative travel arrangements must be used.  If more extensive travel is required to reach a training site, Foothold staff may travel to the site the day before so that the training can begin by 9:00 am. If travel back to New York City on the day of training is impractical because of transportation schedules, standard business hours, and/or the distance between the training site and the closest airport/train station, the customer will be charged the equivalent of an additional half day of training. In both scenarios, the customer is responsible for any additional expenses (lodging, meals, and transportation).

The customer may postpone trainings due to weather considerations up to two hours prior to the scheduled departure time, and is responsible for any expenses associated with the change.

Pre-Training and Travel Checklists

Thorough preparation for trainings will help them run smoothly and maximize the benefits for your trainees.  To help guide you in this preparation, you will be sent the AWARDS Pre-Training Checklist which must be completed and returned at least one week prior to your training date.

Additionally, if Foothold staff will be traveling to your site for training, please be sure to review our Training Sites, Travel, and Expenses policy (above).  You will be sent the related AWARDS Pre-Travel Training Checklist which should be completed and returned as soon as possible after training dates are confirmed.

Full vs. Half-Day Trainings

Foothold Technology believes that full-day trainings are the best choice for learning; however, we do offer half-day trainings for agencies located in New York City. (Exception to this are the AWARDS Start Up trainings included with start-up fees and certain Specialized Trainings where noted, which can only be scheduled in full-day increments regardless of customer location.)

Full-day trainings are eight hours in length, and include two 15-minute breaks as well as a one-hour lunch period. Half-day trainings are 3.5 hours in length, and include one 15-minute break.

Training Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for our AWARDS trainings; however, we strongly recommend that staff members are scheduled for AWARDS training only after they have demonstrated basic computing skills. Our Introduction to Web-Based Computing course can be purchased to address this need.

Canceling or Re-Scheduling a Training

If you need to cancel or re-schedule an AWARDS training, please notify your trainer as far in advance as possible. Cancellation or re-scheduling must be requested no later than 48 hours prior to a scheduled training. Agencies that do not adhere to this policy will be liable for 50% of the cost of the training or will forfeit half of the scheduled training time, as appropriate. If you were scheduled for a half-day training, a cancellation within 48 hours of the training's start time will cost $375. If you were scheduled for a full-day training, a cancellation within 48 hours of the training's start time will cost $500.

  https://demodb.footholdtechnology.com/help/?11977