A Look Ahead...FEW’s 2008 National Training Program (NTP)

The federal employment environment is changing as it responds to advances in technology, increased emphasis on results, and rising expectations of service. The federal employee must change with the environment. Federal employees are looking for more opportunities for professional development, becoming more diverse, and expecting more flexibility and support in the workplace.

As human resource management is reshaped, government agencies will move forward to recruit, manage, and retain the best people to meet mission-critical needs. To this end, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that their employees have the skills necessary to meet these challenges.

The 2008 NTP will offer training in areas such as Federal Human Capital Initiatives, Human Resources Flexibility, Federal Appointing Authorities, Mentoring and Career Development, Procurement and Contracting Issues, Leadership Effectiveness Inventory, Project Management and Developing Leaders for the 21st Century. Participants have an opportunity to expand their knowledge on the basic core competencies of effective leadership. Workshops chosen for presentation at the 2008 NTP will be clearly aligned with the Leadership Competencies as defined by the Office of Personnel Management.

For many years departments and agencies have hosted Agency Forums in conjunction with FEW’s NTP, and NTP 2008 will offer this opportunity to federal agencies. In this time of budget cuts and reduced staffing, the agency forum is an excellent way to deliver updates on personnel, diversity, and equal opportunity employment issues. The agency forum brings together headquarters and field staff, Federal Women’s Program Managers and other Special Emphasis Program Managers.

FEW plans to host its annual Education/Career Fair in conjunction with the NTP featuring universities, local colleges, and federal agencies looking for applicants to fill positions. This event has been growing since it was started at NTP 2006 in Atlanta, Georgia and was well attended by students in the local area in addition to FEW NTP attendees. Federal agencies used this event as a recruiting tool.

The NTP will again feature an Exposition Hall bringing together federal agencies, small businesses, non-profits, and FEW related booths. FEW’s Expo Hall historically attracts more than 75 vendors and often features vendors from the local area. The U. S. Postal Service sets up a postage station so that attendees can mail home all their purchases.

Look forward to more outstanding well-known keynote speakers at FEW’s Opening Session and other special events.

FEW recognizes that NTP 2008 will be a wonderful opportunity to bring family members for an extended stay in southern California. FEW is a family friendly organization and your family is welcome in Anaheim during NTP week. FEW’s NTP is a professional conference in which individuals and federal employers have invested a considerable amount of money. Our first priority is to provide quality training. For that reason, children will not be permitted in training courses or other NTP events. Children under the age of 12 will be allowed in the Expo Hall only with a responsible adult over the age of 18.