Adequate Training for Political Appointees

2. Provide adequate orientation and ongoing management training to all
political appointees and their career SES counterparts. (1,2)

The White House Presidential Personnel Office, OPM, and agencies should
ensure that all political appointees receive an adequate orientation to
acclimate them to the federal government and allow the administration to
convey its policies and priorities. A handbook should be published for
both career and political leaders to supplement this education
process.(22)

Management education, where needed, should be available to politically
appointed executives and managers to provide them with the management
techniques suited to the unique needs of the federal government and the
priorities of the President.(23)

Career and political executives should attend orientation and other
programs together whenever possible to open dialogue between these two
groups. Conferences held in the mid-1980's for career and non- career
political appointees were considered very successful.(24) The Clinton
administration has begun conducting orientations for PAS appointees,
career and non-career SES members, and Schedule C appointees. This
should be institutionalized.