On November 15th, the CHCO Council held its annual open Full Council meeting. The Council discussed topics including locality pay; the current status of USAJOBS; the transition of HRU’s governance to OPM and its current status; new SES stay interviews; and PMF hiring and new applicants. Federal News Radio’s Jason Miller discusses the discussions in his article “Locality pay, official time reports likely to rekindle federal pay debate”.

Government agencies and departments are learning to live with travel restrictions and discovering innovative alternatives amid an anti-conference trend brought on by budget restrictions and well-publicized abuses. But some managers fear the trend will inhibit federal workers' ability to stay current with new technology field advancements or to consult with experts in the private sector via site visits, professional seminars and annual conferences... Find the full article on AOL Gov.

These are turbulent times. We face a plethora of challenges--budget cuts, shrinking workforces, pay freezes, increasing workloads, negative rhetoric about federal employees, their work ethic and their value to the public. Without proper attention to our employees’ morale, we will be hard-pressed to weather the turbulence successfully... Read what SSA CHCO Dr. Reginald Wells’ perspective is on this topic on Government Executive.

One of the primary reasons human capital remains on the Government Accountability Office's "high risk list" is the shortage of workers with specific critical skills, such as network analysis, computer forensics, acquisition and foreign language capabilities, said Gene Dodaro, comptroller general at GAO... Find the full article by Molly Bernhart Walker on Fierce Government.

The Homeland Security Department hasn't experienced the retirement wave or had to offer buyouts or early retirements to employees like many other agencies. In fact, it experiences an annual turnover rate of only 1.35 percent for its 240,000 employees. Catherine Emerson, DHS's chief human capital officer, said the bigger challenge instead is ensuring the agency's current employees have the skills to meet existing and future needs… Find Jason Miller’s full article and interview on Fed News Radio.

At a time when education costs are soaring and student debt is rising, there's one institution of higher learning that's tuition free for most students and is saving money – lots of it. It's the federal Chief Human Capital Officers' innovative cross-government HR University, which has saved more than $17.6 million in taxpayer dollars since it was launched last year, according to the Office of Personnel Management, the council's partner in HRU… Read Richard Walker’s Full Article on AOL Government.

The Office of Personnel Management processed 12,304 new retirement claims in July — the second-highest monthly number this year. That brings the overall backlog of unprocessed retirement claims — a longstanding problem that has plagued OPM for decades — to 44,679 cases last month, a decrease from 61,108 in January… Read the Full Article by Stephen Losey on Federal Times.

On July 16, the U.S. Geological Survey Kicked Off Feds Feed Families with Reps. Frank R. Wolf (VA-10) and Gerry Connolly (VA-11). Feeding families in need during months when food donations drop and the need increases is the challenge that food banks face every summer. This summer the need is even greater in VA as a result of power outages that caused many people and food banks to lose much of their food. The government-wide food drive is addressing the need locally and around the country.

"The Chief Human Capital Officers Council is working to let feds earn college credits for human resources training classes developed by the government..." Read Ruben Gomez’s full article and hear his interview with Executive Director Kathryn Medina on Federal News Radio.

Tune in to News Talk 1450 WOL-AM, Today, June 20, at 10am for a one-on-one interview with CHCO Council Executive Director Kathryn Medina and Blacks In Government’s National President, Mr. J. David Reeves on "The BIG Experience" radio talk show. Topics will include HR University and the cost savings via online training across government. The show will stream live on http://woldcnews.com/

Last summer, Federal employees around the country donated over 5.7 million pounds of food and non-perishable goods for families in need. Food banks around the country continue to face severe shortages of non-perishable items, and summer leaves more children without school nutrition programs. Director John Berry, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, and other principals will Kickoff Feds Feed Families 2012 at the Capital Area Food Bank on June 11th.

“Developing Growth Strategies, Learning New Skills” A Flash Mentoring Event for Front Line HR Staff. HR assistants and junior specialists (GS 5 to 11) will have the opportunity to obtain valuable advice and guidance on HR competencies of flexibility, self-management, planning and evaluation. Visit www.HRU.gov for more information and register to HRUniversity@opm.gov

The government is creating opportunities for interns and graduates to enter the federal workforce with a mission to recruit new faces in VA, the PMF program and the new Pathways program. André Castillo, a PMF, was interviewed on Fed News Radio on his experience entering the federal workforce.

At last week’s Academy, OPM Employee Services’ Jason Thomas presented on Merit System Principles and Prohibited Practices and received overwhelming responses. Attendees discussed the relationship between MSP and Prohibited Personnel Practices. Over 210 attendees participated, representing 20 different agencies. The next Academy will be in June, more information to come.

This two hour Academy session will provide participants with an in depth look at the history of the Merit System Principles and discuss the relationship between MSP and Prohibited Personnel Practices. The instructor will review specific case law examples highlighting MSP and PPP and involve the group in a series of interactive exercises to generate discussion and identify the differences between the two. Please RSVP by 5PM Tuesday, April 10th to CHCOC@opm.gov

Speed dating inspired HR University's recent "flash mentoring" event at the Patent and Trademark Office's Virginia headquarters. Sure, there are more business suits and less makeup than at the typical dating event, for starters. But the basic idea is the same: to get people out of their typical routines for a quick, fun and easier approach to an often anxiety-laden subject… Read the Full Article and hear the Interviews with Fed News Radio

Congratulations to HR University on receiving The Deloitte Public Sector Innovation Award for the 21st Century at the HCMD Awards! HRU was recognized as the program that focuses on innovation in the public sector and meeting government’s most pressing challenges, the award acknowledges innovative yet practical approaches to transforming the way government delivers their services and prepares for the challenges ahead. Thanks to all of the CHCO Council members for all of their hard work!

Find the skilled talent you need to increase productivity in your workplace! Attend this free, one-hour Webinar: Talent Has No Boundaries. Learn about the Workforce Recruitment Program; find out how to use the WRP Website to find talented employees; learn how to provide efficient accommodations at your worksite; hear business success stories that inform and inspire; and get tools and resources to support and advance your employment efforts. February 28, 2012, 1-2p.m.

On Wednesday, February 15th, at the Partnership for Public Service, Hear about Building, Shaping and Sustaining the Workforce of the Future. Speakers for the Strategic Leadership Session include: Director John Berry, OPM; Max Stier, Partnership for Public Service; Ron Sanders, Booz Allen Hamilton; and Sean O’Keefe, EADS North America. In the afternoon, OPM is holding a session showcasing best practices, tools and techniques for strategic planning and workforce reduction.

HR University’s home page got a refresh! In an effort to keep the website up to date and user friendly, HR University is constantly working to improve the website. This homepage refresh is making it easier for users to navigate through the site and find what they need. Take a look at hru.gov and let us know what you think!

Agencies: participate in the Job Youth Fair, co-sponsored by the OPM Chapter of Blacks In Government, Prince George’s Community College, and Prince George’s One Stop Career Center. Bring actual current employment opportunities or planned opportunities for the summer of 2012 and meet students looking for entry-level positions, internships, summer jobs, and opportunities for persons with comprehensive technical backgrounds and experience. Agency registration for the event is free.