If upon review of the personnel records of any employee of the bureau, the commissioner is of the opinion that it would be in the best interest of the bureau to provide the employee with additional training or instruction, not to exceed nine months in any four-year period, in the field or vocation in which the employee is engaged, the commissioner may, upon approval of the secretary, direct that the employee obtain the additional training or instruction at any place the commissioner considers suitable. Designated attendance of the employee shall be compensated for as a part of regular employment. The commissioner is further authorized to pay out of federal funds and such state funds as are available to match such federal funds, any required tuition or enrollment fees.