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USPTO Patent Training Academy. March 7, 2006. USPTO Patent Training Academy. Why are we changing? Yesterday and Today Concerns Advantages How will it look? Structure Content . USPTO Patent Training Academy. SPEs recruited for their Art Unit New Hires trained via: PEIT
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USPTOPatent Training Academy March 7, 2006
USPTO Patent Training Academy • Why are we changing? • Yesterday and Today • Concerns • Advantages • How will it look? • Structure • Content
USPTO Patent Training Academy • SPEs recruited for their Art Unit • New Hires trained via: • PEIT • Mostly hands-on • Intermittent formal training (IPP) • Successful strategy • Manageable ratio of new examiner to experienced examiner
USPTO Patent Training Academy • 2500 new Recruits since 2002 • Training strained • SPEs and Primaries at capacity • Insufficient resources to answer new examiners’ questions timely • Retention concerns
USPTO Patent Training Academy • Integrated strategy/plan (1000 hires per year) • How to hire • How to train • How to retain
USPTO Patent Training Academy Considerations Given • Examiner attributes • Courses • Assessments • Length • Retention initiatives • Recruiting strategies • Individual Development Plan (IDP)
USPTO Patent Training Academy Plan • Dedicated and comprehensive training • Education and development recorded/assessed • Retention components
USPTO Patent Training Academy Attributes/Qualities • Engaged in their job/role • History and importance of their job • Understand the Strategic Plan • Professional demeanor • Motivated • Collegiate and open • Willingness to accept change • Good mix of: • Technical skills • Legal knowledge • Written and oral communications • Social skills
USPTO Patent Training Academy Program Goals • Encourage development and maintenance of working relationships among “classmates” • Provide Individual Development Plans for new examiners
USPTO Patent Training Academy Program Features • Large lectures • Small “labs” of 16 examiners in similar technology • 1-2 Trainers per lab • Each topic will include: • Lecture • Lab • Practical application • Testing
USPTO Patent Training Academy Logistics • Large incoming classes (approx. 128) • 2006 start dates: • January 23 • Late May • June • September 18 • FY06 Target: TCs 2100 and 2600 • Spring/Summer FY06: TC 2800, 3600 and 3700 • FY07: All new hires
USPTO Patent Training Academy Logistics • 1-2 Trainers per “lab” • Trainer is a Temporary GS-15 • Vacancy opened 10/4; closes 10/25 • 1 Teaching Assistant per lab • GS-12 or higher who has passed certification exam • Career Development Detail not to exceed 120 days • Adult Education Expertise • Retention Expertise (in conjunction with Retention Council)
USPTO Patent Training Academy Curriculum • Orientation • Examination Foundation (Patent Examining 101) • Statutes • Technology Basics • AIS Basics • Communication Skills • Group Examination of Live Cases • Intermediate Examination Topics (Patent Examining 201)
USPTO Patent Training Academy Curriculum • Individual Dockets Assigned • Advanced Examination Topics (Patent Examining 301) • After Final Practice • Evidence • Quality Topics • Proficiency Exam/Graduation
USPTOPatent Training Academy March 7, 2006