Grain Inspection

APPENDIX B*

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE,

GRAIN DIVISION,
Hyattsville, Md., December 5, 1974.

Subject: Grain Division's Training Program.
To: Ervin L. Peterson, Administrator.

We have previously discussed our concern for the rather limited training program that has been in existence in the Grain Division for a number of years. As we look around for key managerial personnel, we find the number of Grain Division employees with developed supervisory potential to be very limited. This will continue to be a problem unless we make a concerted effort to recruit promising young candidates and train people in managerial and/or supervisory skills.

With this background in mind, and based on conversations with you early in June, we selected Robert Albert to be our training and recruiting officer and have now provided him with sufficient staff to carry on an extensive training and recruiting program for the Grain Division. He has recently developed a training program for the Division. Implementation of the program will require a somewhat significant budget.

A copy of the training program planned for the Grain Division in fiscal year 1975 and fiscal year 1976 is attached. It envisions considerable training in each of the next two fiscal years for most supervisors in the Division. Those excepted have received required training; and considered to have little potential; or are within about 2 years of retirement.

The cost of this program, including salaries, mileage, and per diem, course costs, etc., totals approximately $216,848 in fiscal year 1975 and $258,239 in fiscal year 1976. Grain Division budgeted approximately $108,200 in fiscal year 1975 and $109,900 in fiscal year 1976. The remainder of the money needed to implement this program totals $108,648 in fiscal year 1975 and $148,339 in fiscal year 1976. Although this is a significant increase in the budget of the Division, the long-range benefits from the program will more than offset the additional expenditure. The serious program deficiencies recently noted will in time be overcome by strong managerial capabilities developed under this type of program. To avoid recurrence of the deficiencies in the area of management presently noted, it is essential that this addition to the budget be granted.

me.

If you have questions concerning the training program, as outlined, please call DAVID C. MANGUM, Assistant Director, Management and Operations.

Attachments.

*Additional material for question 13, p. 192.