Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Bill Brantley, Chief Learning Officer for BAS2A (instructional design and talent development consultancy) in College Park, MD. Connect with Bill on LinkedIn.
What I’m Reading: “The Composable Enterprise: Agile, Flexible, Innovative: A Gamechanger for Organisations, Digitisation and Business Software” by August-Wilhelm Scheer.
What I’m Watching: “BlackBerry: The Limited Series.”
What I’m Working On: I am working on keynotes and presentations for a busy 2024 conference season.
As technology evolves, so do the priorities of government agencies. The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has identified several crucial technology priorities for 2024. Let’s explore how state and local government employee training programs can align with these priorities to ensure our government workforce is ready and ahead of the curve.
Cybersecurity and Risk Management & Digital Government/Digital Services: Cybersecurity is not just an IT issue but a widespread organizational concern. Training programs must focus on enhancing the cybersecurity skills of all employees, not just IT staff. This includes understanding the basics of digital security, recognizing phishing attempts, and managing data securely. Additionally, as digital services expand, employees should be trained in digital literacy, ensuring they can effectively utilize and contribute to digital government initiatives.
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning/Robotic Process Automation (RPA): AI, ML, and RPA transform government agencies’ operations. Training should focus on understanding these technologies and their practical applications. More advanced training in developing and managing these technologies is essential for IT professionals. For others, an awareness of how AI and automation can streamline processes and improve service delivery is crucial.
Legacy Modernization: As governments move away from outdated systems, employees must be trained in newer technologies replacing legacy systems. This involves technical training for IT staff and change management training for all employees to ease the transition to modern systems.
Workforce: Continuous learning and adaptability are key. Training programs should focus on developing a culture of lifelong learning, encouraging employees to update their skills continually. This includes soft skills like adaptability, problem-solving, and communication, which are as important as technical skills in a changing workplace.
Data Management/Data Analytics: With the increasing importance of data in government decision-making, data management and analytics training is vital. Employees should understand how to collect, analyze, and use data effectively. This includes training in data privacy and ethical use, ensuring that data is handled responsibly.
Broadband/Wireless Connectivity: As connectivity becomes more critical, understanding the infrastructure and technology behind broadband and wireless networks is important. Training should include the basics of these technologies and the policy and regulatory aspects that government employees might deal with.
Identity and Access Management: Managing digital identities and access is more important than ever. Training should focus on identity and access management principles, including understanding the risks and best practices for securing digital identities.
Cloud Services: As government agencies increasingly adopt cloud services, understanding these platforms is essential. Training should cover the technical aspects of cloud computing and the policy, security, and governance aspects.
Chief Information Officer as Broker/New Operating Model: The role of the CIO is evolving. Training for IT leadership should include skills in managing vendor relationships, understanding emerging technologies, and strategic planning. Understanding how to work effectively with IT and leverage technology for better service delivery is key for other employees.
Aligning training and development programs with NASCIO’s technology priorities is essential for preparing state and local government employees for future challenges. By focusing on these areas, we can ensure that our government workforce is competent, forward-thinking, and ready to embrace the technological advancements that lie ahead.
Remember, an investment in training is an investment in the future of our public services.