News Release

OPM Deputy Director Addresses Mexican Forum on Government Reform

Washington, D.C. -- Dan Blair, Deputy Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, yesterday highlighted for Mexican public officials successes of the Bush Administration to innovate and contemporize the United States civil service, as Mexico’s northern neighbor and business partner pursues skilled professionals for 21^st century public service careers.

"We are working hard to implement a Civil Service system that is efficient and open to all, which enhances the positive image of public service," said Blair from Mexico during the Forum Professionalizing Public Service in Mexico: A Core Element for Innovation and Democracy. "Through innovation and competitiveness, we provide increased job opportunities for our citizens, while making our Civil Service a cutting-edge employer."

Blair’s appearance in Mexico illustrates the U.S. government’s resolve to fulfill Bush Administration goals to improve government services and share best-practices with sovereign, democratic partners. Vicente Fox, Mexico’s President, has made government reform a priority of his Administration, elevating the forum’s importance.

Blair pointed to Recruitment One-Stop, an Internet-based, federal job-search tool, as a product of the Bush Administration’s determination to make government more citizen-centered, results-oriented and market-driven. Recruitment One-Stop is one of five e-Government initiatives OPM manages. The other initiatives include e-Payroll (the consolidation of 22 payroll service providers into two providers) and e-Training (online educational services).

The two-day forum, which began February 24, offered a stage for Blair and government executives from the United Kingdom and other nations to discuss Civil Service operations and reform.

Blair said the Management Agenda unveiled by President Bush in 2001 places a high priority on the strategic management of human capital. The President has charged OPM with overseeing the human capital initiative and providing consulting services, as agencies develop recruitment, training and pay systems that are merit-based, contemporary and designed to compete with the private sector for qualified employees.

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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.

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