This handbook, which was developed for federal managers, explains how low-cost and no-cost training methods developed in the private sector and the services and support available from federal human resource development (HRD) offices can be used to build a smarter and more productive work force. Presented in part 1 are the following: seven questions to help managers determine whether their workers are continuously learning and transforming themselves to solve new problems and achieve new goals; overview of the findings of the 1993 report of the Vice President's National Performance Review; and examples of the results of a commitment to workforce learning in the private sector. The following strategies for getting better results from training are discussed in part 2: eliminate barriers; set up individual and organizational learning strategies; get strategically aligned; and make a plan. The following ways of getting support for HRD activities are examined in part 3: look to employees for support; look to executive leaders for support; look to HRD offices for support; use outsourcing and collaboration; use the ideas of others; and keep an eye on the future. Endnotes and a list of quoted sources contain 53 citations. (MN)