ARPC civilians to receive career development assistance

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  • By Mike Molina
  • Editor
DENVER --  The Air Reserve Personnel Center's more than 220 civilian employees now have the chance to receive career guidance from their senior leaders as part of the Center's Workforce Development initiative.

As a result of an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century event, ARPC officials adapted Force Development for the Center's civilian workforce. In June, all of ARPC's civilian employees will have an opportunity to participate in the new program.

"This is a service the employees can use where they are offered honest advice from an executive perspective," said Maj. Carrie Arendale, project manager for Workforce Development. "It is not going to guarantee anyone a promotion, but if you follow their advice other doors are going to open."

In October 2009, 14 civilian employees volunteered to participate in the pilot program. The employees' personnel data was reviewed by a development team of senior ARPC civilians.

The team looked at career briefs, appraisals and a development plan worksheet filled out by the employee. The worksheet also includes the employee's goals and job aspirations.

After the review, the team provides a list of recommendations, or vectors, that were e-mailed to participants in November.

"This helps you to be in control of your own career," said Sue Deardorff, a 28-year civil service employee in ARPC's Point Credit Division, who participated in the group. "The information you receive helps you to help yourself. I encourage everyone to do it."

Recommendations from the development team included: completing an advanced degree, seeking additional training or updating a career brief and other personnel records.

"Most places you don't get this kind of help," said Holly Klein, who started working at ARPC in July 2009, and was also one of the test group participants. "This is individualized information on how you can better yourself and your career."

Force Development has been available to Air Force active-duty officers since 2002, and Reserve officers since 2004. ARPC manages Reserve Force Development, including plans this year to host Development Teams for nearly 30 career fields.

In February, development teams will also review personnel data for the more than 140 enlisted Airmen at ARPC.