About Mandatory Supervisory Training
It's no secret that supervisory skills can make or break a manager. Supervisory development remains a priority across the federal government, as OPM and HHS amended their training and development regulations pertaining to the Federal Workforce Flexibility Act in 2009.
What are the requirements?
As part of a succession and performance management strategy, the OPM amendment requires that new scientific and administrative supervisors receive formal training in the initial twelve months of their new roles as supervisors. In addition, retraining is required every three years. Our current cycle is January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024. Training must at a minimum cover actions, options, and strategies addressing unacceptable performance, mentoring employees, employee performance improvement and productivity, and conducting employee performance appraisals. HHS policy brings in the following additional mandatory training topic areas for new supervisors:
- Human resource staffing
- PMAP
- Performance management
- Employee and labor relations
- Leave administration
- HHS enterprise systems
- Work life quality
- Employee viewpoint input
In addition, an NIH cross-IC Supervisory Training Committee has clarified these regulations by developing NIH-specific guidance. The committee continues to meet to further support these efforts and reach out to the NIH community.
Where can I take supervisory training?
A course meeting the OPM regulations and HHS guidance for new supervisors is currently available through the NIH Training Center: NIH-Supervisory Essentials Training. In addition, a refresher course for experienced supervisors is also available: Supervisory Refresher. Individual IC’s may offer courses and/or programs meeting the mandatory training requirements for supervisors.
Find more information on other Supervision and Leadership Development Courses that the NIH Training Center offers.
What other resources are available to me?
For Supervisors and Administrators:
- Managing Mandatory Supervisory Refresher Training
- Adding External Items with Supervisory CLPs
- IC Mandatory Training Coordinator Points of Contact
- Recommended Course Listing (for new supervisors)
- EDI recommended Diversity Training Courses located in Learning Management System (LMS)
- New Supervisor Training Tracking and Reporting Template
- Sample Attendance Waiver Request Form
- Sample Extension Request Form
- Supervisory CLP Reporting My Transcript
- Supervisory CLP Reporting for My Staff
- Supervisory CLP Reporting as LMS Administrator
- Refresher Training Resources