Sinclair360

After years of unprecedented growth in contract spending, the U.S. Department of Defense plans to increase its acquisition workforce by 15 percent. U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates has announced plans to hire 20,000 new acquisition professionals by 2015.

 Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) is Ohio’s largest single-site employer. It has primary responsibility for Air Force-wide acquisition activities, through its Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Research Laboratory and Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC). ASC alone manages 420 Air Force, joint and international aircraft-acquisition programs and related projects. With an annual budget of $19 billion, ASC has a workforce of over 10,600 people located worldwide.

 Acquisition roles involve everything from aircraft and weapons systems to research-and-development services, energy, technology, construction, supplies and more. With salaries starting in excess of $60,000, these positions are highly desirable and provide an upwardly mobile track.

 In response to the increasing demand for skilled acquisition personnel, Sinclair Community College’s Workforce Development & Corporate Services (WFD&CS) partnered with Defense Acquisition University, the Montgomery County Department of Job & Family Services and Real Art Design Group to develop and launch the Defense Acquisition Academy (DAA), through funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

 In the first half of 2010, nearly 100 displaced workers participated in the initial DAA training programs. By June, Sinclair had already added a third DAA training track.

 “The DAA program has moved at light speed to a self-funded program that continues to attract hundreds of well-qualified individuals who welcome the opportunity to benefit from this training,” stated Deb Norris, vice president of WFD&CS. “DAA will have a very bright future.”

 DAA participants are also finding success. For example, Bob Winfree participated in Sinclair’s initial DAA training. Concurrent with completing DAA in June 2010, he reported, “I received an offer of employment from BAE Systems for an acquisition program manager position at WPAFB. Although not a federal position, it’s one that offers high potential for advancement in the future. I believe the DAA courses were instrumental in my landing this job, because I was able to show that I’ve been taking steps to improve my skill set and have become reacquainted with the acquisition system and processes.”

By Gary Honnert

Gary Honnert is marketing communications manager of Workforce Development & Corporate Services. He has more than 35 years’ experience in broadcasting, public relations and nonprofit community relations.