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FORT LEE, Va. - The Defense Contract Management Agency’s acquisition talent management branch recently implemented the restructured Pathways Programs.
President Barack Obama signed an executive order in December 2010 to address difficulties the federal government had been experiencing in competing for and recruiting talented students and recent graduates. The order established the Pathways Programs, which consists of two new and one reinvigorated program tailored to recruit, hire, develop and retain new employees. The Office of Personnel Management finalized the requirements in May 2012 for all agencies to implement.
“The three pieces of Pathways are the Internship Program, the Recent Graduates Program and the Presidential Management Fellows Program,” said Gretchen Smith, DCMA’s Pathways Programs manager.
The Internship Program is for current students and individuals accepted for enrollment in a qualifying educational program. It replaced the existing Student Career Experience Program and Student Temporary Employment Program and it targets students from high school all the way to graduate school and professional school levels. The program provides students with opportunities to explore federal careers while being paid.
The Recent Graduates Program is geared toward those who are within two years of degree or certificate completion. Veterans fulfilling a military service obligation, and are unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree, have up to six years after completion to apply.
“This program is essential because it allows us to provide managers with the opportunity to bring in eligible candidates and train them for various positions,” explained Grant Northrop, Acquisition Talent Management chief.
The Presidential Management Fellows Program has been the government’s premier leadership development program for more than 30 years. It allows advanced degree candidates to be groomed as potential government leaders.
“The PMF was made more student-friendly under Pathways,” said Smith. “The eligibility window for applicants was expanded and aligned with academic calendars.”
Pathways Programs are not to be confused with the Keystone Program, said Northrop.
“A Keystone can include existing employees or someone from corporate America with 20 years of relevant experience,” explained Northrop. “The Pathways education-based hiring authority allows us to recruit individuals with more recent educational knowledge and provide them a meaningful experience for possible placement into a federal position.”
Smith said strategic outreach is a great tool for recruiting talent for the Pathways Programs. Avenues the agency uses include online job banks, newspapers, local colleges and universities, alumni associations, and social media.
“Outreach promotes the agency’s mission and employment opportunities,” said Smith. “Just as importantly, it’s a very effective way to build talent pipelines for the agency’s current and future workforce."
| Date Taken: | 04.16.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2013 14:16 |
| Story ID: | 106088 |
| Location: | FORT LEE, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 237 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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