The Commerce Department’s Global Markets unit has failed to develop a comprehensive workforce plan that would help it focus export promotion priorities across its domestic and overseas workforce, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.
The report, Export Promotion: Commerce Should Improve Workforce Planning and Management of Its Global Markets Unit, released May 12 also notes that vacancies in the human capital office have prevented some foreign service officers from doing their jobs effectively.
The Global Markets unit in Commerce’s International Trade Administration helps small- and medium-sized U.S. businesses enter and expand into international markets. The unit was established in 2013 by merging ITA’s Market Access and Compliance unit with the US and Foreign Commercial Service.
Although GM has taken steps to consolidate its workforce, challenges remain regarding divided organizational purpose, weak brand identity and transparency of staffing, the report found.
GAO said it is making four recommendations to Commerce to (1) document the processes for updating staff allocation models, (2) regularly review the need for positions that exceed model recommendations, (3) develop a comprehensive workforce plan, and (4) address human capital office vacancies.
Commerce agreed with GAO's recommendations, according to the report.
GAO said it is planning a future report that specifically summarizes the information learned during employee focus groups conducted last year. While some of that information is contained in this report, the follow-on report will provide more detail.
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