September 7, 2001
FROM: |
KAY COLES JAMES Director |
SUBJECT: |
Individual Learning Accounts |
In December 1999, OPM invited department and agency heads to participate
in an individual learning account (ILA) pilot. The invitation resulted
from a recommendation by the Federal Training Technology Task Force,
which was established by Executive Order
13111, "Using Technology to Improve Training Opportunities
for Federal Government Employees," to evaluate the feasibility
and practicality of learning accounts for the Federal workforce.
Agencies were encouraged to develop innovative pilot programs that focused
on enhancing skills and expertise related to performance on-the-job
and could be implemented with existing resources. Twelve agencies participated
in the initiative, implementing 15 different pilots.
The pilot agencies found that ILAs made training more visible in their
organizations and helped highlight the connection between training,
workforce development and strategic planning. In addition, ILAs fostered
management and staff involvement in continuous learning decisions resulting
in skill development that is integrated with organizational goals. After
assessing their pilots, agencies enthusiastically concluded that implementing
ILAs across Government would be beneficial.
In light of the experience gained through this pilot and the pilot agencies'
conclusion, I recommend that you seriously consider implementing an
ILA program in your agency. We believe if used widely and effectively,
learning accounts for individuals can significantly help in our efforts
to attract and retain skilled employees. The capability to shape ILA
use to the unique needs of each agency gives it unlimited potential
as a workforce development and learning tool for the 21st Century.
To assist you in your implementation efforts, the attached
guidance as well as the Report on the ILA
Pilot Initiative: A Tool for the 21st Century are available on our
website (see www.opm.gov/hrd/lead/ila/ilarpt.asp).
The report provides a summary of the agency pilot programs and their
results. If you need additional information or assistance, please have
your staff contact Michael Fitzgerald, Chief, Leadership and Policy
Division, at 606-5182, or email mafitzge@opm.gov.