Technology-based training gets a lift

The Task Force on Federal Training Technology's report

The White House announced this week that is 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 the president for approval in July. The task force

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

order signed by President Clinton in 01/1999.

Training is essential for today's workers, especially as agencies make

more services available online. Without continuous learning and development,

federal workers will not be able to deliver the services and programs 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 and 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 flexibilities for

agency acquisitions for learning technology.

The next step is putting these recommendations into action. "Now that

the president has approved our recommendations, 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 work force," said OPM director

Janice Lachance.