"Providing ways for the next generation of local government managers to train and develop themselves is vital to the future of our profession. ICMA can play an important role in developing new managers and assisting current managers who wish to support them in their efforts in many ways. One way is by creating a clearinghouse of information in this new website to help both new managers and senior managers easily participate in this important challenge.

For students, this website helps introduce you to the local government management profession and ways you can acquire practical experience in the field. The website includes FAQs plus basic information on internships and where to find them.

For those professionals making the transition into a city manager or career assistant position, the website provides job information, model employment agreements and a handbook to assist the first-time manager.

For the senior manager, the website provides information on how to support quality internships in your jurisdiction, discusses the transition issues facing the profession and "next generation" managers, and provides good background on the critical need for training of new managers.

It is our hope that this website will serve ICMA members at all career levels. Everyone has a role in supporting and sustaining good local government management. We hope these tools will help in this important effort."

Walter J. Bobkiewicz
City Manager, City of Santa Paula, California
Chairman, Subcommittee on Internships
ICMA Advisory Board on Graduate Education