In March, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 803, better known as the SKILLS Act (Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills), which reauthorizes the Workforce Investment Act.
http://www.astd.org/Publications/Magazines/TD/TD-Archive/2013/07/Intelligence-House-Passes-SKILLS-Act
The debate over federal compensation continues, particularly as it relates to salaries in government and the private sector. Furloughs as part of sequestration have magnified the issue.
http://www.astd.org/Publications/Magazines/The-Public-Manager/Archives/2013/Summer/What-Would-GS-System-Pay-Reform-Look-Like
A new study released from Project Management Institute (PMI) found that government organizations risk $148 million for every $1 billion dollars spent. This is $13 million more than the general survey findings—demonstrating that government lags behind private industry in key success areas that point a way forward for effectively managing programs.
http://www.astd.org/Publications/Blogs/GovLearning-Blog/2013/06/Poor-Project-Management-Can-Cost-Government-148-Million
How can one L&D professional inspire 37 HR employees to conduct over 100 learning activities in 30 days? Let me share how I did it within my organization by implementing The Keep Learning Challenge.
Keep Learning with Tight Budgets Power Hour
Periodically, my organization has one-hour sessions for HR employees on HR-related topics. Last month, I conducted a one-hour session called Keep Learning Even with Tight Budgets to inspire HR employees to take charge of and invest in their own growth and development. The session began with encouraging employees to shift their thinking from viewing individual development planning as a “check-the-box” activity to seeing it instead as part of a long-term career development process. If this shift in perspective is embraced by the employee, it can lead to the creation of a quality individual development plan (IDP).
IDPs are required for each employee within my Department. Employees tend to just check the box, since many employees and supervisors lack the knowledge and skills to approach employee development more strategically. In my one-hour session, I challenged them to move beyond that mental model.
http://www.astd.org/Publications/Blogs/GovLearning-Blog/2013/06/Inspiring-Others-to-Keep-Learning
So, you want to make a difference in the world? More specifically, do you want a career that “makes a difference”? For increasing numbers of young people, their search for meaningful work leads them to the public sector. This work might involve contributing to the life of a local community by working in city/county municipalities, public safety, the military or with state or federal government.
http://www.astd.org/Publications/Blogs/GovLearning-Blog/2013/05/Careers-That-Make-a-Difference
Do you prepare for a networking event? Now until the end of June is the time for the last round of networking events before summer begins. You want to think about the ideal professional image to project. This is branding.
http://www.astd.org/Publications/Blogs/Career-Development-Blog/2013/04/What-Is-Your-Networking-Story
I recently read The 6 Ways Government Needs to Improve Performance Management. The article talks about The President’s fiscal year 2014 budget and its emphasis on the creation of “a culture of performance improvement.” Now, of course, when I hear performance improvement, I pay special attention because we are in the business of improving organizational efficiency. We should always be tuned in to automatically think of this as an opportunity to add value and help our organizations.
http://www.astd.org/Publications/Blogs/GovLearning-Blog/2013/04/Engaging-Organizational-Leadership-to-Focusing-on-Employee-Development
http://www.astd.org/Publications/Blogs/ASTD-Blog/2013/04/ASTD-2013-Press-Release
We are truly looking forward to the publication of the 3rd edition of Career Moves due out September 2013. Our book highlights the latest training and development trends and gives you the tools you need for the practical application of the revised ASTD Competency Model™. This blog is being initiated for ASTD members and other individuals to become aware of this new resource and the importance of managing your career.
http://www.astd.org/Publications/Blogs/Career-Development-Blog/2013/02/Where-Are-You-in-Your-Career
The training and development profession has undergone significant transformation in the last decade, and the skills and knowledge required for trainers to be successful have also evolved. That is why ASTD, the world’s largest association dedicated to the training and development field, has revised The ASTD Competency Model™ and announces its debut in the January 2013 issue of T+D magazine.
http://www.astd.org/Publications/Blogs/ASTD-Blog/2012/12/ASTD-Debuts-New-Competency-Model