WASHINGTON, June 26, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, during the Federal Training Institute in Orlando, Florida LULAC discussed new programs in the Federal Government that will be focused on providing students, recent grads, veterans and those re-entering the workforce with a pathway to federal careers. LULAC discussed this program and their expectations for the government to increase the diversity among their ranks.
"We are supportive of initiatives that work to increase the number of Hispanics employed in the federal government," said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. "Diversity contributes to the rich fabric of our country and it's important that the federal government accurately reflect our population."
The government is hosting a series of round table discussions with multiple federal agencies in an effort to address the minority representation within their agency. The OPM Hispanic Council committee will provide suggestions on how to improve Hispanic representation which will be implemented by OPM. The pathways programs which is geared towards current students, recent college grads and graduate students streamlines the way that these candidates can apply for positions in the federal government. The Pathways Program is narrowly tailored for students and recent graduates that do not fare well under the regular hiring process because they lack experience in their chosen field.
The following summarizes the three Pathways Programs.
Internship Program. The Internship Program replaces the existing intern programs – the Student Career Experience Program and the Student Temporary Program. It is open to students enrolled at least half-time in a variety of qualifying accredited educational programs at the high-school through professional levels. This Program provides students with paid opportunities to work and explore Federal careers while still in school.
Recent Graduates Program. This new program is open to applicants who have completed a qualifying post-high school educational program (e.g., technical or vocational school; two-or-four year college or university; graduate or professional school) within the preceding two years. Veterans who are precluded by military service from applying during their two-year window will have up to 6 years to apply. Also, individuals who completed a qualifying educational program after December 27, 2010, will have two full years from the effective date of the final regulations. It provides developmental opportunities for recent graduates.
Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program. For more than 30 years, the PMF Program has been the Federal Government's premier leadership development program for graduate and professional degree candidates. The final regulations increase the PMF Program's flexibility by expanding the eligibility window for applicants; allowing individuals to self-nominate, and aligning the application timeframes with academic calendars to make the program more "student friendly". Like the Recent Graduates Program, applicants have up to two years after they graduate to apply for the program.
The 83rd annual convention takes place in central Florida which is now home to more than half a million Latinos—one of the fastest growing Hispanic communities in the country. At 4.2 million, Florida's Latino population is the third largest in the nation. This diverse Latino community is re-defining the social, political and cultural landscape of the I-4 corridor.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 900 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC's programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.lulac.org.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12386