    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [October 14, 1999]
    [Pages 1794-1795]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on Individual Training Accounts for Federal Employees
    October 14, 1999

    Memorandum for the Director of the Office of Personnel Management
    Subject: Individual Training Accounts for Federal Workers

        Thank you for forwarding the options and recommendations of the Task
    Force on Federal Training Technology on establishing individual training
    accounts (ITAs) for Federal employees.
        Your report provides a thoughtful and thorough review of the ways
    ITAs may be used to improve the quality of training available to Federal
    workers. The skills needed by Federal workers, the technologies
    available for training, and the institutions capable of delivering high-
    quality training are all changing rapidly. Individual employees may be
    in the best position to discover opportunities in this fast changing
    market; ITAs can give them needed flexibility.
        Improving the efficiency and quality of Federal Government services
    in the years ahead will require educated workers to fill new jobs and
    allow incumbent workers to continuously upgrade their knowledge and
    skill base. We have an obligation to explore the use of new technologies
    to provide cost-effective, high-quality, and accessible training to
    ensure that we provide the kind of working environment that attracts and
    retains outstanding working men and women.
        After reviewing your report, it is clear that ITAs merit further
    exploration because of their potential for improving Federal training.
    The Task Force points out that while a number of private firms, State
    governments, and foreign governments are currently implementing ITAs,
    the programs are not fully tested. I support the Task Force
    recommendation that Federal agencies should begin a series of pilot
    projects and develop tools for evaluating their success. I therefore
    direct that OPM work with the Task Force to develop a guidance for
    agencies to use in developing and evaluating ITA pilot projects.
        I understand that the Task Force also is making steady progress in
    developing recommendations for Federal agencies to make effective use of
    technology to improve training opportunities. I look forward to
    reviewing the final Task Force report and learning more about the
    development of the demonstrations of advanced learning technologies
    being proposed by the Executive departments. Particularly valuable are
    the Task Force's recommendations regarding how agencies can use their
    combined procurement power to stimulate development of high-quality
    training technologies conforming to standards used in commercial and
    university instruction. Your

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    work will serve not only to strengthen the Federal workforce and ensure
    that the American taxpayers receive the best service possible, but can
    also accelerate the development of technologies useful in schools and
    companies throughout the Nation.
        I appreciate your leadership, the commitment of the Task Force, and
    the dedicated service of your staff, particularly Emzell
    Blanton, the Executive Director of the Task
    Force, in ensuring the success of this important effort.

                                                          William J. Clinton