State employees in North Carolina are setting the bar high for public service with the recent completion of the Performance Management Academy (PMA) Foundations course. This professional development program, run by the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM), primes state workers to hone in on evidence-based approaches to policy and program implementation, according to the OSBM's recent announcement.
For state workers, the PMA Foundations course is substantial, extending over six half-day sessions with a curriculum that includes strategic planning and agile implementation. Despite the breadth of the coursework, there, was a significant turnout—35 public servants from diverse departments came together to sharpen their skills. "The Performance Management Academy is more than a training—it’s a catalyst for cultural change in government," OSBM's Chief Scientist David Yokum expressed in a statement. With an estimated 30 hours of comprehensive training that spans classroom teachings and applied exercises, participants are now better equipped to effect change and drive progression within their respective roles, as per the Office of State Budget and Management.
Spanning a wide variety of fields, the attendees' diversity speaks to the program’s reach, including budget analysts, policy advisors, program managers, and senior executives. The shared aim of these individuals is to foster a more responsive and evidence-oriented government, capable of meeting the multifaceted needs of North Carolinians effectively.
In a move recognized as a step toward nurturing knowledgeable leadership, the OSBM celebrates the successful participants. The 2025 PMA Foundations course graduates include employees from the Office of State Human Resources, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Health and Human Services among others. Yokum describes the cohort as a symbol of "thoughtful, data-driven leadership," which is a testament to their dedication and the quality of training provided. This is not just about individual achievements; it's an investment in North Carolina's future governance, building a foundation where decisions are led by hard data and robust evaluation.
With the tools and strategies provided by the Performance Management Academy's Foundations course, the graduates are expected to apply their new capabilities to craft more effective government strategies. The hope is that this wave of well-equipped public servants will bolster the state's ability to deliver on its promises to its citizens.
