Understanding Your Training at WSU

Training at WSU includes a mix of required, job‑related, and recommended learning. Some training is assigned automatically based on your role, while other learning opportunities are available for you to explore when they align with your goals.

System-wide Training
- Why system-wide training and core compliance matters
Job-related Training
Strategies for Completing Your Training
Student and Volunteer Training
- Student Employees & Graduate Assistantships (paid appointments)
- Students and Volunteers (unpaid)
Helpful (but not required) Learning

Training at WSU generally falls into two categories: system‑wide training and job‑related training. Both may appear as assignments in Percipio, but they serve different purposes.

Why system-wide training and core compliance matters

System-wide training applies broadly across the university and supports shared expectations around safety, access, and compliance. This training is required for all employees and may be assigned one-time or on a recurring basis.

Why this matters: As a public institution, Washington State University is entrusted with public resources, public records, and the well-being of our students, colleagues, and communities. System‑wide and core compliance training helps all of us understand our shared responsibilities as public employees. Beyond meeting state or university requirements, this learning supports ethical decision‑making, accessibility, safety, and transparency in our everyday work. Completing required training is one way we collectively uphold the trust placed in WSU and in each other.

These requirements exist not simply because they are mandated by the State of Washington, Washington State University, or both, but because they support the trust placed in us as employees of a public institution.

For the list of system-wide trainings assigned each year, visit the List of Core Compliance and Important Job-related Trainings page.

Designed to support the work you do, this subject-focused learning helps employees build the skills and knowledge needed for their position or department. Because it’s tied to specific responsibilities, the training you see may change as your role evolves. Examples of job-related training may include:

Departmental systems, tools, or processes
Financial, research, or data access roles
Supervisory or people-management responsibilities
Safety requirements specific to your work

Strategies for Completing Your Training

Whether it’s job-related or WSU employee required, training can feel like a lot when you look at it all at once. Many employees find it helpful to spread the work out and build learning into their regular routines.

Here are a few approaches that may help:

Illustration of a man and a woman pointing at a large to do list with a clock in the lower corner, representing a list of time sensitive actions.

Plan ahead, and pace your assignments

Choose one assigned course and block time on your calendar each month, rather than waiting until the deadline approaches.

Illustration of a woman standing and shuffling card tiles with avatars and text, representing managing details.

Completing similar course topics, such as Cybersecurity Awareness and Prevention, at the same time can reduce context‑switching and help reinforce key concepts.

Illustration of a woman sitting on a large clock while working on a laptop, representing time sensitive actions or news.

Schedule training during your work hours and communicate early

Required training is part of your job responsibilities. Setting aside dedicated work time and talking with your supervisor about workload expectations can help ensure training is prioritized.

Illustration of a lady sitting on a bean bag and reading a tablet in front of a large hourglass, representing reading information.

Start early to reduce stress later

Beginning assigned training soon after it appears gives you flexibility if schedules shift or responsibilities increase during the year.

Student and Volunteer Training

Training and access to Percipio for students and volunteers depend on whether the individual holds an active, paid appointment with Washington State University.

Student Employees & Graduate Assistantships (paid appointments)

At the time of hire, student employees and graduate assistants who hold an active, paid appointment are assigned:
- New Employee Onboarding and Orientation training
- Applicable annual required training
Student employees and graduate assistants in a continuing paid appointment are assigned:
- System‑wide annual training each year, following the January 2 assignment schedule

Students and Volunteers (unpaid)

WSU students in unpaid roles complete required safety and lab training through their Canvas accounts, as directed by their department or academic program.
Students and volunteers who require compliance or recommended training to support their role receive training as coordinated by their department, school, or program, in partnership with the appropriate subject matter experts.

Helpful (but not required) Learning

These recommended optional trainings focus on best practices, shared expectations, and good‑to‑know topics that many employees find helpful:

Family Education Rights and Policy Act (FERPA)
Administrative Policy Manuals Training
Records Retention & Disposition Training
Public Records and Records Requests
Whistleblower Act

For details on the trainings, visit the List of Core Compliance and Important Job-related Trainings page.

Percipio Help

Illustration of two people, one at a desk, the other on a computer screen talking to each other.

Who to Contact if You Need More Help

Learning Administrators support employees across the university by helping connect learners to required and optional training in Percipio. Assigned by area, college, or campus, they provide guidance on training access, completion, and compliance to support employee learning and development.

Contact your assigned Learning Administrator when you have questions about required training, assignments, or access to learning content in Percipio. They can also help if you encounter issues with enrollment, completion records, or need guidance on training requirements specific to your area, college, or campus.

If you know who your area’s Learning Administrator is, they’re your best first point of contact for questions about training, assignments, and learning support within your area. Learning Administrators work closely with Learning & Organizational Development (LOD) and can often help quickly resolve questions or guide you to the right next step.

You can contact LOD directly if you’re unsure who your Learning Administrator is, your question spans multiple areas or campuses, or you need additional support beyond what your Learning Administrator can provide.

Email the Training team

Table of Contents

Why system-wide training and core compliance matters