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FORT LEE, Va. — Defense Contract Management Agency personnel have opportunities to obtain professional training and certifications to enhance their skills in supporting our nation’s warfighters.
One opportunity for training and certification is through the American Society for Quality. DCMA has purchased an enterprise quality roundtable level membership, which means all agency employees are eligible for a free individual membership and are encouraged to join.
ASQ is a professional organization dedicated to advancing quality methodologies and ideas to help organizations and communities function better.
As a way to highlight and celebrate quality assurance, ASQ, which has members from more than 150 countries, has designated November as World Quality Month. According to ASQ, “The purpose of World Quality Month is to promote the use of quality tools in businesses and communities. Quality tools, such as flowcharts and checklists, reduce mistakes and help produce superior products. Quality principles could reduce headline-making errors, like food safety, toy recalls, and financial disruptions.”
During the month, DCMA employees are encouraged to join ASQ if they have not done so, and learn other ways they can enhance their job performance to provide even better customer support.
Michael Shields, executive director of Quality Assurance, encouraged employees to take advantage of the training resources available.
“This is a great opportunity to recognize and reflect on how quality is important in all parts of DCMA, not just employees who work in Quality Assurance,” said Shields. “We all can impact quality no matter what area or job we are in at DCMA.”
By joining ASQ, employees can take advantage of the extensive materials and resources available, including an online Knowledge Center that provides case studies and research information. Members can take part in classroom or Web-based training through the ASQ Learning Institute on topics such as compliance or a specific industry’s best practices.
In addition, employees can make professional connections through ASQ and join sections by region, topic, or industry. These groups allow professionals to network and also learn from one another.
Shields said DCMA has been recognized as one of the leading enterprise members by ASQ. The agency participated in an ASQ workshop for enterprise members in September to discuss current resources available and provide suggestions for future requirements.
“There are more than 50 large organizations that are enterprise members with an active membership totaling over 39,000 employees,” said Shields. “Many organizations have employment numbers far larger than DCMA’s 11,000 employees. Our active membership stands at 4,900 employees, which represents 12 percent of the total number for all ASQ enterprise members. DCMA is a strong ASQ enterprise member and partner, and that is just one of the accomplishments we’ve been recognized for.”
According to Bob Dobrowolski, a staff quality assurance specialist in the Resource Management Division, who administers the ASQ program, current DCMA employees are active in utilizing ASQ’s website and resources.
“ASQ data reveals that DCMA has made over 17,400 visits to the website between January and August 2015, with almost 50,000 hits for information,” he said.
Since DCMA became an enterprise member in 2009, employees have completed training and passed the certified quality technician, quality auditor and quality engineer exams. These types of certifications enhance an employee’s professional skill set and increases credibility with customers and government contractors. ASQ offers 17 certifications, and has issued approximately 160,000 certifications to various individuals and organizations.
“DCMA is outperforming its industry counterparts in certification in two of the three programs,” Shields said. “Our employees have put forth the time, effort and sacrifices to achieve one or more of these certifications.”
DCMA employees have surpassed industry in the certified quality auditor, 87 percent versus 84 percent, and the certified quality technician, 76 percent versus 64 percent, categories. Agency personnel are closing the gap in the certified quality engineer category and are behind their industry counterparts by only three percent, 57 percent versus the 60 percent, completion and pass rate.
Shields said it’s important for employees to take advantage of opportunities like ASQ. He is certified as a quality auditor and quality engineer and understands the preparation time involved with studying and taking the certification exams.
“I encourage employees to join professional organizations such as ASQ,” said Shields. “I am a strong supporter and champion of these certification programs. Our agency’s objective is to have a fully trained workforce. Professional certification increases DCMA’s credibility with customers and contractors. I appreciate the supervisors and managers who support their employees in their study and preparation for these certification exams.”
If employees have any problems joining, contact ASQ at salessupport@asq.org.
“This process takes less than 10 minutes and you can begin to use the many benefits and resources available through ASQ immediately,” said Dobrowolski.
Employees can also learn more about World Quality Month at http://asq.org/world-quality-month/.
DISCLAIMER: This article is intended to inform DCMA personnel about the professional benefits of ASQ membership. It is not intended as an endorsement of ASQ.
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2015 09:50 |
| Story ID: | 182228 |
| Location: | FORT LEE, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 82 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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