Government Programs for Career Change: A Guide to CTAP and ICTAP

For federal employees facing job displacement or seeking a career change, the U.S. government offers programs designed to facilitate this transition. Among these valuable resources are the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP). These programs provide eligible federal workers with priority selection for new positions, helping them navigate career changes within the federal government.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) is a government program specifically designed to assist surplus or displaced federal employees in finding new employment opportunities within their current agency. CTAP gives these employees selection priority over other candidates, provided they meet the job qualifications.

You are eligible for CTAP if you meet the following criteria:

1. Surplus or Displaced Employee Status: You must be a current federal employee who has received official notification that your position is surplus or that you will be separated due to a Reduction in Force (RIF). This signifies that your role is no longer necessary, making you eligible for career change assistance programs.
2. Agency Application Acceptance: The agency must be currently accepting applications from within its existing workforce or from outside applicants.
3. Job Qualification: You must fully meet the qualification standards and any other specific requirements for the position you are applying for. This ensures that Government Programs For Career Change are effectively placing qualified individuals into suitable roles.

It’s important to note that each federal agency administers its own CTAP, which may include more specific details regarding transition policies. For detailed information tailored to your agency, contacting your Human Resources office is recommended. They can provide specific guidance on how these government programs for career change operate within your agency.

Learn more about CTAP (OPM)

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) is another key government program for career change, extending assistance to surplus or displaced federal employees seeking positions in different agencies. Unlike CTAP, ICTAP facilitates career transitions across agency lines, offering selection priority when applying to a new agency.

Eligibility for ICTAP is determined by these factors:

1. Surplus or Displaced Employee Status: Similar to CTAP, you must be a current federal employee officially designated as surplus or displaced due to job redundancy or RIF. This designation is crucial for accessing government programs for career change.
2. External Application Acceptance: The agency you are applying to must be accepting applications from individuals outside of their current workforce.
3. Local Commuting Area Job: The position you are applying for must be within the local commuting area of your current location.
4. Job Qualification: You must satisfy all qualifications and requirements for the position you are seeking. Government programs for career change prioritize qualified candidates to ensure efficient workforce realignment.

For example, if you are employed by the Department of Defense and receive a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice, ICTAP allows you to apply for a competitive service position at the Department of Education within the local commuting area, leveraging government programs for career change to facilitate your transition to a new role in a different agency.