Bill Overview
Title: A bill to address the importance of foreign affairs training in national security, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill makes changes to the Foreign Service Institute and addresses other issues related to training Foreign Service and Department of State Civil Service personnel. The bill establishes within the institute (1) the Board of Visitors, which shall provide the State Department with advice and recommendations pertaining to the institute; and (2) the position of provost, which shall have duties such as overseeing and coordinating the institute's academic curriculum. The State Department may establish and implement an incentive program to encourage Foreign Service members with critical foreign language skills to maintain such skills. The bill also requires the State Department to expand its professional development and training, including by increasing offerings at partner organizations and offering courses using computer-based or computer-assisted simulations. The Foreign Service must (1) establish new fellowship programs for Foreign Service and Civil Service officers that include opportunities in certain organizations, such as think tanks and industry entities; and (2) report to Congress on how to expand certain existing fellowship programs to allow fellows in those programs to undertake follow-on State Department opportunities that will benefit from practical knowledge of the people and processes of Congress. The State Department must report to Congress on (1) offering certain training and professional development opportunities to congressional staff at State Department facilities, (2) a strategy for adapting and evolving training requirements to better meet current and future needs for 21st century diplomacy, and (3) a strategy for broadening and deepening training at the State Department.
Sponsors: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Target Audience
Population: People within the United States Department of State workforce, including Foreign Service and Civil Service personnel
Estimated Size: 50000
- The bill primarily targets Foreign Service and Department of State Civil Service personnel for enhanced training and professional development.
- It also establishes various positions and bodies within the Foreign Service Institute to oversee and innovate training programs which will impact a large number of personnel within these services.
- The implementation of new fellowship programs and expanded existing programs will directly involve and affect governmental employees who are eligible for these opportunities.
- Since the bill mandates strategic reporting and long-term training participation, a significant percentage of the workforce will be engaged in these new training efforts.
Reasoning
- The policy's main effect is on the Department of State’s workforce, influencing the training and development opportunities available to them. This is a niche population, thus commonness in the overall U.S. population will be low.
- The Wellbeing scores are estimated based on how the policy might enhance personal and career development, thus improving job satisfaction and life satisfaction.
- Some individuals may not be directly impacted depending on their specific roles or career stages, which could result in unchanged Wellbeing scores.
- Budgetary constraints mean the policy is restricted in scope, benefiting a segment of the workforce, but not all at once. This may also result in varying degrees of impact on Wellbeing scores.
Simulated Interviews
Foreign Service Officer (Washington D.C.)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems promising and could help me expand my skill set in economic policies.
- I am interested in the fellowships to industry entities; they could offer invaluable experience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Civil Service Employee (New York)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative will help modernize training practices, which is overdue.
- Not sure how much my role will directly benefit, but it's a step forward.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Foreign Service Officer (Houston)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new fellowship opportunities are appealing.
- Having the chance to work with think tanks could advance my career.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Civil Service Employee (Los Angeles)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I doubt this will affect me much before I retire.
- It's a useful policy for younger colleagues though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Foreign Service Officer (Chicago)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Additional training can be transformative for the department's effectiveness.
- I hope remote access to training is considered, considering my location.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Civil Service Employee (Miami)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The update in training might open new avenues for career growth.
- I could see these changes enhancing our strategic impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Civil Service Employee (Boston)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Excited for the structured long-term training options.
- This could broaden my chances for a leadership position.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Foreign Service Officer (San Francisco)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The academic elements align with my interests.
- I hope the policy supports continuous learning initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Foreign Service Officer (Seattle)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy can significantly boost my career start.
- I look forward to the fellowship opportunities to engage deeper with NGOs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Civil Service Employee (Atlanta)
Age: 60 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This seems beneficial for those earlier in their careers.
- It’s unlikely to affect my situation before retirement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $80000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $90000000)
Year 2: $85000000 (Low: $75000000, High: $95000000)
Year 3: $90000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $100000000)
Year 5: $100000000 (Low: $90000000, High: $110000000)
Year 10: $120000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $140000000)
Year 100: $200000000 (Low: $160000000, High: $240000000)
Key Considerations
- The development and implementation of training programs defined in the bill require significant initial and ongoing investment.
- There is a need to balance the cost of training initiatives with measurable outcomes in Foreign Service performance and national security.
- The effects on long-term diplomacy readiness must be evaluated against increasing budget requirements.
- Potential indirect economic benefits through improved international relations are uncertain and difficult to measure.