Improving IT Managers

Legislation introduced in the House on Tuesday would require federal managers and supervisors to undergo more extensive leadership and mentorship training.

The 2010 Federal Supervisor Training Act, introduced by Reps. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., Jim Moran, D-Va., and Frank Wolf, R-Va., would require all federal supervisors to receive initial training within one year of promotion and once every three years thereafter. Training would cover three primary management topics: basic supervisory training, mentorship training and training focused on prohibited personnel practices, such as collective bargaining and anti-discrimination rights.

The legislation also would require the Office of Personnel Management to monitor agency implementation of the legislation and issue guidance to agencies on the competencies supervisors must meet to effectively manage the performance of their employees.

While many agencies already have effective training programs for managers in place, the legislation would simply codify these best practices into law, Moran said. "In some cases, federal agencies need legislative direction to kick-start good management programs," he said.

Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, introduced similar legislation, S. 674, to improve agency supervisor training programs. That bill is expected to be marked up later this month.