WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) participation in the League of United Latin American Citizens' (LULAC) 76^th National Convention and Exposition, Emerging Latino Communities: Strengthening America, is a part of its ongoing efforts to improve access to job opportunities within the federal government for Hispanics. The event is being held in Little Rock, Arkansas, from June 27 through July 2, 2005.

"We are pleased to share with the more than 10,000 people who attend this event the employment resources and initiatives OPM offers," said OPM Director Linda M. Springer. "We want to encourage Hispanic-Americans to navigate USAJobs, the federal government's official jobs Web site, to explore career and internship opportunities."

OPM will discuss with middle, high school, and college students and their parents the benefits of becoming a public servant, show them how to identify opportunities in their field of interest, and provide them with information on a variety of programs existent in the federal government that provide flexibilities for agencies to hire young professionals. The Student Career Experience Program and the Federal Career Internship Program are two important hiring programs federal agencies are using to recruit minority candidates.

LULAC's National Training Institute (FTI) also will take place during the convention. In partnership with OPM's Management Development Centers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Graduate School, FTI presents a unique opportunity for government employees to develop competencies essential to their professional development consisting of leadership, conflict management, and strategies for success. This year FTI is offering courses that directly address each of the five Senior Executive Service Core Qualifications including the following: