PERKINSON IN CYBERFEDS ARTICLE ON THE MERITS OF TRAINING FEDERAL MANAGERS - July 31, 2009

Don't skimp on supervisor training

By Melissa Turley, cyber FEDS® Washington Bureau Staff Writer

DID YOU KNOW? WASHINGTON -- Supervisor training is often the first thing to go when agencies are making cuts to save money. Nonetheless, federal law requires managers receive "systematic training and development."

5 CFR 412.103 says agencies must issue a written policy for development programs and provide "initial and continuing development" for employees in executive and managerial positions as well as candidates for those jobs. The policies should: • Be designed as part of the agency's strategic plan and "foster a corporate perspective." • Ensure assignments to training and development consistent with merit principles. • Help individuals continue learning experiences for both the short term and the long term. • Provide for systematic development of candidates for advancement to a higher management level.

There is also an effort in Congress to take training a step further, as quality and consistency vary across agencies. Legislation introduced by Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, would authorize funding and standardize training and development for federal supervisors.

Specifically, the legislation would require new managers to undergo training in a classroom setting within their first year. They would then have to complete training at least once every three years.

Federal Managers Association President Darryl Perkinson told cyber FEDS® that the possibility of receiving additional funds for training would incentivize agencies to put together more structured training programs.

"Some agencies have suffered in the past few years, when they had to live on last year's budget," he said. "What happens is training for managers is delayed."

For example, Perkinson said, agencies may consider instituting a first- and second-level supervisor program, similar to what the Social Security Administration and Norfolk Naval Shipyard have in place. In a classroom setting, first-level supervisors could gain an understanding of effectively dealing with people and ensuring they know how to handle workforce complaints. Second-level training could deal with project management and tapping into the skill sets of employees, he said.