FMA APPLAUDS COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF BILL PROVIDING FEDERAL MANAGERS WITH SUPERVISORY TRAINING - June 24, 2010

Federal Supervisor Training Act will enhance agency responsiveness.

Alexandria, VA - The Federal Managers Association (FMA) commends Senate Committee passage of legislation which would provide federal managers and supervisors with training covering the full gamut of supervisory responsibilities. FMA urges the full Senate to address the Federal Supervisor Training Act, S. 674, in a timely manner to improve the federal government's delivery of services to the American public.

Current law requires agencies to create basic training programs for federal managers and supervisors but fails to establish funding mechanisms and accountability measures to ensure training takes place. The result is that current regulations afford agencies the latitude to cut training from their budgets when funding is tight, as is routinely the case.

Today, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee passed the Federal Supervisor Training Act, introduced by Senator Daniel Akaka (D-Haw.), which would require agencies to provide managers and supervisors with interactive training within one year of promotion to a supervisory position. Training would cover three primary management topics: basic supervisory training; mentorship training; and, training focused on prohibited personnel practices, collective bargaining, and procedures to enforce employee rights. After receiving initial managerial training, supervisors would engage in training updates once every three years, offered via an instructor, Web-based technology or various other alternative mediums. Senator Akaka's legislation also includes an accountability provision to establish competency standards to ensure the training is effective while requiring OPM to collect data on the programs.

"We at FMA thank the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for recognizing that the Federal Supervisor Training Act stands as a crucial legislative measure designed to ultimately provide the American public with a fully productive public labor force," lauded FMA National President Patricia Niehaus. "Whether serving as mediators between upper level managers and their staff or clearly defining organizational goals, well-trained federal managers serve a vital role in the continuity of operations on a day-to-day basis and are an essential component in ensuring the federal government retains a workforce that espouses a strong work ethic and commitment to the nation's well-being."

The Committee approved similar legislation, S. 967, in the 110th Congress, but the measure ultimately stalled on the Senate floor. FMA is encouraged by Administration and congressional efforts over the past year to bolster agency supervisor training programs. Congressman James Moran (D-Va.) introduced legislation (H.R. 5522) in the House of Representatives last week mirroring much of Senator Akaka's training bill, with original cosponsors from both sides of the aisle expressing support for the bill.

"We find ourselves today in prime position to tackle the challenges posed by the need to bolster the supervisory ranks in the federal government, particularly as agencies seek to fill management vacancies resulting from the retirement of senior members of the federal workforce," Niehaus continued. "This bill marks a positive step forward in ensuring rising managers and supervisors contain the skill sets necessary to achieve the tasks at hand. We at FMA are committed to working with Members of both the House and Senate to ensure passage of supervisory training legislation in the 111th Congress."