The Conference Daily went to check out the sights and sounds of the Government Pavillion and networking room in the F2 Concourse. We spoke with Patricia Easley from the Environmental Protection Agency about why she came to the Conference this year. “We were really excited about the conference being held in Chicago since it hasn’t been here for so many years,” Said Easley, who resides in Chicago. “It’s such a great opportunity to collaborate and network with people who face similar challenges and who found really workable solutions.” As with many agencies in governmentand elsewhere, being able to align agency strategies with training goals is vastly improtant. Easley shared some of her insights on how to make sure this alignment is taking place: “We look in three main places. First we work closely with our administrator and examine the goals that are set forth. Then, we as learning professionals look at what is being planned to make sure there is alignment,” she states. “The second place we look is at learining programs that are mandatory to do the job. This is training that comes not necessarily from our Administrator but from the White House.” The third source that Easley uses to ensure alignment is all about location, location, location, as learning needs and agency goals differ from region to region. “Right now, for example,” she says, “the training needs in the Gulf [of Mexico] region are completely different from anywhere else.” Once they have all of the sources, Easley says, then they can conduct a needs assessment that shows learning-agency alignment. “For us, it’s a long process that is complex, but it needs to be done.” We thank Patricia for taking the time to chat with us, and if you are in government and attending the Conference this year, please be sure to stop by the Government Pavillion for events and networking opportunities.

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Conference Daily On Site, Sunday