As used in this article, the following words and terms have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) "Advanced professional development training" means any academy, class, conference, course, program, seminar or training attended by an employee that:

(1) Is not required by his or her current position;

(2) Is not required for the performance of his or her current job responsibilities; and

(3) Is intended to develop a higher level of skill, to develop an increase in professional or technical knowledge, or to obtain an advanced level of professional accreditation.

"Advanced professional development training" does not include routine job training, training required for the employee's performance of his or her current job responsibilities, attendance at professional conventions, seminars, continuing professional education or any form of training required to renew an employee's professional accreditation or any training costing less than $1,000.

(b) "Agency" means an administrative unit of state government, including, without limitation, any authority, board, bureau, commission, committee, council, division, section, or office within the executive branch of state government.

(c) "Continuing professional education" means educational courses, seminars, lectures or programs necessary to maintain or renew an employee's professional accreditation.

(d) "Employee" means any person who performs a full or part-time service for wages, salary, or other remuneration under a contract for hire, written or oral, express or implied, for an agency and receives advanced professional development training after the effective date of this article.

(e) "Professional accreditation" means any certification, degree, advanced degree, endorsement or occupational license.

(f) "Training compensation" means tuition and expenses, paid to an or on the behalf of an employee for advanced professional development training.