1 A Culture of Commitment: Creating a Career Path for Wounded Warriors Breakout Session # D16 David Sella, Department of Veteran Affairs Tuesday, July 31, :15 AM – 12:30 PM

Agenda Introductions and Learning Objectives Employment Challenges Facing Returning Wounded Veterans The Warriors to Workforce (W2W) Program and the VA Acquisition Academy (VAAA) Program Components and Structure 2

Introductions David Sella Department of Veterans Affairs David Sella is the Program Manager for the VA Acquisition Academy Internship School’s Warriors to Workforce Program (W2W). Mr. Sella implemented the W2W program, manages the existing program and currently supervises the inaugural class of 23 interns. He will also oversee future classes. 3

Learning Objectives This session focuses on three primary areas of Human Capital focused on Veteran Opportunities: Strategic Management – –Supporting the organization's mission and values Workforce Planning and Employment – –Recruitment strategy, succession planning, and retention Training and Development – –Career development and leadership development 4 4

Employment Challenges Facing Veterans Veteran unemployment is a real issue : As of May 2012, how many unemployed Veterans* are in the U.S.? –All Veterans: 880,000 (7.8% unemployment rate) –Gulf War-Era II Veterans: 263,000 (12.9% unemployment rate) Targeted efforts are required to improve the employment outlook for wounded veterans who are most in need of assistance. *According to Bureau of Labor and Statistics 5 5

Transitioning from the Battlefield to the Workplace Transition support is critical: Returning veterans face a number of transition challenges Wounded veterans have a variety of unique needs Specialized training and development initiatives help to address these needs and produce valuable new members of the workforce 6 6

Veterans Make Exceptional Employees Veterans are attractive candidates and make excellent employees. Studies show that 81% of military occupations have a direct or very close civilian equivalent. The attributes that veterans develop during their time in service are attributes that every employer looks for in an employee: Leadership Team Players Loyal Decisive Quick Learners Performance Under Pressure Trust and Integrity Disciplined Dependable 7 7

Exploring the Theme of Efficiency Through Training 8 EfficiencyAccountabilityTransparency The Warriors to Workforce Program (W2W) combines specialized instruction with an established training curriculum to produce certified contract specialists. Combining accredited academics with technical, general business, and leadership skills training shortens the learning curve. Other Government agencies can also leverage the programs at the VA Acquisition Academy (VAAA) to reduces administrative complexity and instructor resources.

W2W & the VA Acquisition Academy (VAAA) VA opened the first acquisition academy in a civilian agency in September 2008, as a response to the growing needs of the acquisition workforce. The Academy’s holistic competency-based programs seek to train and certify the entire VA Acquisition workforce and develop trusted business partners. Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Internship Program Management Facilities Management Supply Chain Management Contracting Professional The Needs of the Veteran VA Acquisition Academy Schools 9 9

The W2W Program The W2W Program is designed to make a positive impact on the lives of wounded warriors while also providing a critical source of talent for the Federal acquisition workforce: Targeted to veterans with Service Connected Disabilities and little to no post-high school education. Veteran Recruitment Authority (VRA) hiring authority utilized. Current program interns began their 3-year training program on December 5, Inaugural W2W cohort includes 22 VA employees and 1 GSA employee. 10

The inaugural Warriors to Workforce (W2W) cohort launched in December 2011 at the VA Acquisition Academy in Frederick, MD. 11

W2W Cohort Demographics Average Disability – 64% Average Years of Service – 7.68 Average Years Since Discharge – 2.74 Number of States Represented – 10 12

Education with a Purpose We are growing the next generation of acquisition professionals and we are providing a career, not just a job, for our returning warriors. The W2W Program is focused on changing behavior, improving performance, creating a career path for our warriors, and upholding Lincoln’s promise "to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s Veterans. 13

Year 1 – A Holistic Foundation 14

Years 2 & 3 – Skills Training to Become a Trusted Business Partner Leverages and extends the current skill set of veterans (leadership, execution, discipline, etc.) and adds technical acquisition skills to create a lasting career opportunity Decreases time to competency and performance, facilitating their employment goals and supplementing VA’s acquisition workforce. 15

Peak Performance Training Peak Performance training utilizes advanced sensory feedback technologies to measure and develop the five mental skills that distinguish good from great performers 16

17 Peak Performance In Action

Can you retrain your brain? –Of course! What percentage of our brains do we typically use? –5% How many breaths does the average person take per minute? –12-20 How many brain cells do humans have? –100 billion! 18

19 Peak Performance In Action

A Scientific Approach to Enhanced Performance W2W utilizes Peak Performance Training with the central components of: –Leveraging the latest knowledge and technology in bio-feedback and neuro- feedback. –Systematically developing critical mental skills that enhance personal and professional performance. –Applying skills in their personal lives, in the classroom, and on-the-job. 20

Better | Faster | Results 21 Accelerating the Learning Curve A better way to serve our wounded warriors while preparing them to serve VA Reduced time to competency through a holistic training model Utilizing efficiencies while preserving unique needs of the learner

Answering the Call to Serve The W2W program: Supports the succession planning of VA and other government agencies Provides government agencies with an experienced employee ready to make a difference Supports our wounded warriors by providing a career path in Federal acquisition Promotes another mission: Veterans Serving Veterans 22

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Questions? 24