News Release

Washington, D. C. -- Kay Coles James, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, today told a luncheon assembly of human resources and training professionals that "training is back in style," and that tight budgets should not deter agency investment in employee development programs.

"We can find the money to do things that are a priority," James told a record-setting luncheon audience attending the Training Officers Conference at the Ft. McNair Officers Club in Washington."So if training is a tool we use to help recruit and retain top people in government, then training should be considered a priority, and you must find the money to do it."

On the strategic management of human capital, James noted that training tops her list of priorities, as well as the list of priorities of President Bush, the nation's first chief executive with an advanced degree in management.

On the issue of opportunities to receive training, James rhetorically asked, "Who doesn't get these offers?" She answered by saying that top managers and employees often get passed-over for academic exercises at OPM's Federal Executive Institute and other venerable venues because agency officials, fearing the impact on workloads, resist losing key people for extended periods.

"This is not a problem in the private sector; they train their top people," said James. "Top college graduates will look more favorably toward public service if we can answer this common question: ‘What are my opportunities to learn, grow and advance?’" James added that obstacles to professional development would only dissuade talented, young people from joining the federal ranks.

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OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.