38 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

A TRAINING PROGRAM
FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS

Maryland is no longer a series of sleepy communities. We are a
large industrialized State with an annual budget approaching $1 bil-
lion. We need highly trained public administrators to handle the
State's business, to solve State problems, and to assure wise use of
State resources. We all respect the dedicated public servants who staff
our State agencies, but we must provide them with better training
opportunities as well as provide a vehicle for bringing into State gov-
ernment persons with superior educational qualifications in the field
of public administration.

This budget proposes to establish a public administration intern-
ship program within the Department of Personnel. We would like to
accept up to 12 individuals each year and give them a combination of
practical experience and academic training. We have made provisions
to compensate a professor of public administration on a part-time basis
to work on this program.

At the same time, we recognize that many of the existing State em-
ployees might benefit from such training and that the public adminis-
tration interns could profit from their experience. Therefore, concur-
rently, we would like to establish an in-service training program for
the selection of an equal number of present employees who have
proven their ability to benefit from comparable training.

Our objectives are to provide the State of Maryland with a top-level
group of administrators and to provide a vehicle for attracting and
retaining outstanding personnel.

STATE EMPLOYEE SALARIES

I am greatly disturbed over the alarmingly high rate of turnover
and the high level of vacancies in State positions. In some cases de-
partments have been forced to shut down parts of State facilities due
to lack of personnel. In other cases they have had to resort to overtime
work with available staff.

An adjustment in State employees' salaries is critically needed.

Both the Maryland Classified Employees Association and the State
Standard Salary Board have proposed new salary plans. In the short
time available, I have not had an opportunity to formulate specific
recommendations on what should be done. However, the need is great,
and some action must be taken. I am presently studying this matter
and will transmit further recommendations to you in the near future.