U.S. Office of Personnel Management Individual Learning Account Pilot Program - ILA - Brief Article

Program Manager, Sept-Oct, 2001

The Federal Training Technology Task Force was established Jan. 12,1999 by Executive Order 13111, "Using Technology to Improve Training Opportunities for Federal Government Employees." The Task Force was charged with developing a policy to "make effective use of technology to improve training opportunities for Federal Government employees." The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) invited agencies, including field and regional offices, to participate in an Individual Learning Account, or ILA Pilot Initiative. The OPM invitation and ILA guidance asked agencies to develop ILA plans, participate in piloting ILAs, and assist the Task Force in evaluating the effectiveness of ILAs for federal workers. Agencies, within the parameters provided in the guidance, were encouraged to structure their pilots using innovative models that best met their organizational needs.

Agencies are enthusiastic about this new development tool. Anecdotal feedback from employees and management indicate that ILAs provide a different and advantageous approach to training and development. The agencies overwhelmingly recommended the implementation of ILAs and continued OPM guidance and leadership in this effort The pilot demonstrated that ILAs are indeed a feasible and practical approach to the 21 Century workforce needs of the Federal Government.

A report on the Individual Learning Account Pilot Program is now online at http://www.opm.gov/hrd/lead/ILA/ilarpt.htm#Exec.