Panel says e-learning a necessity

The Clinton administration announced Oct. 4 that it has approved recommendations

designed to accelerate the use of technology in federal training programs

and create a better-trained federal workforce.

The interagency Task Force on Federal Training Technology had submitted

the recommendations to President Clinton for approval in July. The task

force is led by the Office of Personnel Management and was formed through

an executive order signed by the president in 01/1999.

Without continuous learning, federal workers will not be able to deliver

the services the public expects, the task force said in its report. "Using

technology to fulfill a growing need for retraining and new skills is no

longer an option; it is a necessity," according to the task force.

The task force recommendations are to:

* Create a one-stop shop for agencies seeking assistance and information

on implementing technology-based training.

* Require agencies to establish specific training goals and measures

as part of their Government Performance and Results Act annual performance

plans.

* Establish a governmentwide innovation fund to support agency requests

for technology-based training.

* Launch a campaign to educate senior officials on the advantages of

using learning technology.

* Develop a program to promote existing procurement flexibility for

agency acquisitions of learning technology.

The next step is putting the recommendations into action. "We will start

creating the initiatives that will make the use of learning technology a

viable and cost-effective tool for addressing the training needs of our

workforce," said OPM Director Janice Lachance.