USPTO%20Patent%20Training%20Academy

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USPTOPatent Training Academy

• March 7, 2006

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USPTO Patent Training Academy

• Why are we changing?
• Yesterday and Today
• Concerns
• Advantages
• How will it look?
• Structure
• Content

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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

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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

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USPTO Patent Training Academy

• Integrated strategy/plan (1000 hires per year)
• How to hire
• How to train
• How to retain

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USPTO Patent Training Academy

• Considerations Given
• Examiner attributes
• Courses
• Assessments
• Length
• Retention initiatives
• Recruiting strategies
• Individual Development Plan (IDP)

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USPTO Patent Training Academy
Plan

• Dedicated and comprehensive training
• Education and development recorded/assessed
• Retention components

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Attributes/Qualities
USPTO Patent Training Academy

• 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

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Program Goals
USPTO Patent Training Academy

• Encourage development and maintenance of working
  relationships among classmates
• Provide Individual Development Plans for new
  examiners

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Program Features
USPTO Patent Training Academy

• Large lectures
• Small labs of 16 examiners in similar
  technology
• 1-2 Trainers per lab
• Each topic will include
• Lecture
• Lab
• Practical application
• Testing

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Logistics
USPTO Patent Training Academy

• 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

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Logistics
USPTO Patent Training Academy

• 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)

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Curriculum
USPTO Patent Training Academy

• Orientation
• Examination Foundation (Patent Examining 101)
• Statutes
• Technology Basics
• AIS Basics
• Communication Skills
• Group Examination of Live Cases
• Intermediate Examination Topics (Patent Examining
  201)

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Curriculum
USPTO Patent Training Academy

• Individual Dockets Assigned
• Advanced Examination Topics (Patent Examining
  301)
• After Final Practice
• Evidence
• Quality Topics
• Proficiency Exam/Graduation

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USPTOPatent Training Academy

• March 7, 2006