Advocacy group touts training program for federal women

More than 1,000 federal, military, and other female employees will meet in Washington next week for an annual training conference sponsored by the advocacy group Federally Employed Women.

The 38th National Training Program will kick off on July 16 at the Washington Hilton to provide workshops covering computer skills, career strategies, presentations, management skills and leadership.

FEW National President Rhonda Trent said at a press event Tuesday that the training will incorporate the five core qualifications required for entry into the Senior Executive Service -- leading change, leading people, driving results, displaying business acumen and building coalitions.

Trent said she began her federal career as a clerk typist at level three of the General Schedule pay scale. She said when her manager denied her training because of her low grade, she sought training on her own -- a move that led to FEW's annual training program.

"I give FEW the credit for taking me from a federal job to a federal career," Trent said. "Grade is of no importance to us, but you as a person -- helping you, mentoring you and getting you ready for career progression - [is]."

The week will begin with a national educational and career fair, which is open to the public, to provide essential tools and guidance on opportunities within the government. Trent said 31 agencies and local universities have signed up to participate.

The event also will include training sessions on interviewing, managing conflicts, mentoring, understanding equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment laws, writing performance-based work statements, building high-performing teams, achieving work-life balance, and planning for retirement.

Additionally, Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., and Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, will speak at a breakfast, addressing two legislative efforts aimed at federal employees -- improving paid parental leave for federally employed women following childbirth and drawing a more diverse pool of applicants in the upper ranks of government.

In conjunction with the conference, agencies will conduct forums bringing together headquarters and field employees, managers, human resources staff and others to discuss human capital initiatives. Fifteen agencies have scheduled such forums, including the Homeland Security, Defense and Veterans Affairs departments, the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service.

Trent added that four representatives from groups including FEW and the Senior Executives Association have formed a task force to promote diversity in the SES through legislation. She said the task force has its first meeting with Davis on July 23, and aims to secure legislation that would provide more opportunities to women and minorities to move up in the senior ranks of government.

Trent also said Tuesday that FEW has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Washington law firm Shaw, Bransford, Veilleux & Roth to afford its members free counsel and legal advice on equal employment opportunity and other issues.

While advanced registration for the conference closed last week, employees can register on-site starting Sunday, July 15. The cost for the week is $900 for FEW members and $1,075 for nonmembers. Employees also may register for one day of training for $300.