Shipmates,
I noted last week that I received a briefing at the Aviation Logistics Center last Thursday on their recruiting programs and outreach to minority serving insitutions. The brief was impressive and I asked Yvonne Williams to provide a guest post.
ADM A
Guest Post by Ms. Yvonne Williams, Chief of Workforce Management Staff, Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) Elizabeth City.
I was honored last week to participate in a briefing for senior leaders of the Coast Guard. The subject was adapting ALC's existing recruitment programs to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T). In attendance were ADM Thad Allen, Coast Guard Commandant, VADM David Pekoske, Vice Commandant, VADM John Currier, Chief of Staff, RADM Sally Brice-O'Hara, Deputy Commandant for Operations, and CDR William Makell, Commandant Diversity Advisor. A PDF version of the slides is available here: /ALC%20Educational%20Partnerships.pdf
ALC's Human Capital Strategy uses a lifecycle approach to address workforce issues and align personnel plans with business strategy, emphasizing the use of several civilian recruiting initiatives to build diverse applicant pools. ALC intends to adapt two existing practices -- the locally developed Apprentice Program and the sponsorship of Coast Guard Academy (CGA) Summer Interns and Capstone Projects -- to create a hybrid approach to a partnership with NC A&T. NC A&T is of particular interest to ALC because it is one of the Nation's finest engineering schools, it is relatively close, and we have a need to develop our civil service career path in engineering.
ALC has annually hosted two to four cadets as part of the CGA Engineering Department's Summer Intern Program. This five to seven week program has included projects such as: coating systems products and procedures, aircraft/engine dehumidification, corrosion mapping, and underway sheltering of aircraft. ALC has also sponsored Capstone Projects, which are typically performed by First Class Cadets. Recent projects include: Integrated Controlled Humidity Protection System (2007), HH65 Polar Operations Camera Pod (2008-2009); and Universal OE/IR Turret Removal Installation Ground Support Equipment (2009-2010). ALC has prepared over 12 Capstone Projects ideas to offer for the NC A&T Partnership and Recruiting Initiative.
ALC Apprentice Programs are aimed at enhancing Coast Guard awareness, strengthening ties with the community, addressing aging workforce issues, and broadening opportunities for our talented workforce. The ALC Apprentice Program began as a "High School" only initiative in June 2002. While apprentices are actually contractors, the program has a "Career Pathway" for entry into career fields that include: aircraft mechanic, aircraft electrician, information technology, graphics, supply clerical, photography, and office automation. To date the ALC has converted 25 student apprentices to permanent civil service status or contractor status.
In August 2009, ALC established an Adult Apprentice Program. Occupational skill sets for this program were established by ALC senior civilian managers and target junior/seniors in Bachelor Degree programs, such as Mechanical Engineering, Information Technology, and Accounting. The adult apprentice program is designed to be in sync with, and ideally feed, the Civilian Career Entry Opportunity (CEO) Program.
The NC A&T partnership proposal has an 18-month cycle that will start in the fall of a student's junior year with a visit to ALC. ALC will host two NC A&T rising seniors each summer, who can develop groundwork for an effective Capstone project their senior year. If successful, this type of program has potential across all of the new logistics and service centers, and can also enhance existing military recruiting programs as well.
It was a pleasure to represent all the employees at ALC, alongside CAPT Ed Gibbons and LCDR Tony Cella. Programs such as the one discussed in the attached presentation, are indicative of ALC's commitment toward building the workforce that can best serve Coast Guard Aviation and "Keep 'em Flying." v/r, Mrs Yvonne Williams
