This newsletter issue focuses on competency assessments and needs assessments. It discusses the importance of developing assessment tools to identify competency gaps. Course bundles in the ETMS system allow users to quickly create training requirements for multiple courses. The leadership knowledge center provides monthly leadership topics and resources. Annual reminders include registration opening for FY13 certification courses through DAU in May.

1. Force Development
Highlights
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4 APRIL 2012 THE FORCE DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER FOR ALL AIR FORCE EMPLOYEES
Competency Based Workforce—Assessments AFMC Force Development
4375 Chidlaw Road
I
Room N208
n the past couple of newsletters, the success of implementing a competency WPAFB, OH 45433
process of building competency mod- model. Since assessment instruments can
els, and the importance of identifying be time consuming and difficult to
and defining competencies and profi- construct, organizations often neglect tak-
ciency levels was presented. This month’s ing the time to build the tools which could
article focuses on competency assessments. yield the most accurate results.
Competency assessments can be accom- The assessment is what will reveal com- SITES OF
plished using an assortment of methods to petency gaps and will help you chart the INTEREST:
include 360 degree assessments, employee/ way ahead. Therefore, it is important to
Supervisor Resource
supervisor assessment, panel assessment, invest the necessary time during this phase
Center
direct observation, testing, etc. of the competency modeling process.
Before any type of assessment can be Ensure your competency model meets ACQ Now
accomplished you must consider what your intended purpose by conducting an
needs to be assessed (e.g. the individual, accurate and thorough assessment. DAU Online Catalog
the organization, developmental opportuni- For more information contact Human
ties, and curriculum being used to support Development Resources Strategic Advisor, ADLS
competency development.) Bob Good, DSN 787-2528. ETMS Web
Assessment tools can be somewhat
complex to develop depending on the type My Development Plan
you choose to use, but are critical to the YoCE
The Needs Assessment Process
N
eeds assessment is a process to ment should be conducted before assuming
ensure an organization’s HRD training is the solution to the problem,
needs are identified and especially when training can be the most PM Gazette is online tool
T
articulated. A needs assessment expensive solution and only the right
he PM Gazette is a
should reveal discrepancies or gaps between solution a small fraction of the time. tool for disseminating
skills individuals possess and skills the Needs assessments are often not relevant and timely
organization requires to be successful. conducted as they are time consuming to acquisition
Have you ever participated in a training conduct, managers want results and prefer information to all ACAT PMs,
event and wondered “why am I here?” Or action over research, or people assume an PEOs and ACE Directors. The
told yourself “I already know this infor- assessment is unnecessary since they know PM Gazette highlights new
mation.” If you answered yes to either of what the organization needs. The problem developments in acquisition
these questions chances are no one ever is, if training isn’t the solution then excellence. Other PM relevant
conducted an assessment to determine the resources are expended and the deficiency topics include; helpful links/
references, upcoming Service
need for the training. doesn’t get corrected. Challenge yourself
Acquisition Executive program
Most often when this occurs, leaders, and use restraint! The next time you reviews, workforce items of
supervisors, or individuals assume training assume training is the solution to a problem interest and a schedule of senior
is the solution to some sort of problem. ask yourself “has a needs assessment been leader visits to the field. Go to:
It seems obvious that a needs assess- conducted?” PM Gazette online.
Subscribe to ForceDevelopmentNewsletter@wpafb.af.mil

2. VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4 APRIL 2012 Page 2
Leadership Knowledge Center
Course Bundles in ETMS Web
T O
he AFMC Education screen will display the course list at ne of the many leadership
Training and Management the bottom of the screen and it will development aids available
System (ETMS Web) show if the employee already has through the Supervisor Re-
features “Course Bundles” open/completed training
source Center (SRC) is the
in the building of training requirements for any of the courses
requirements. Course Bundles are in the bundle you are using. Key Leadership Knowledge Center (LKC).
lists of as many as 20 courses that points to remember are: The LKC is a dynamic leadership
have been grouped together and  All ETMS Web users can development tool focused on a topical
saved in ETMS Web. This allows create course bundles leadership theme refreshed each month.
users to quickly create training  Only the user who created the The theme for March was
requirements for multiple courses at bundle can make changes to the “Recognizing Obstacles to Change” and
once, without having to search for bundle
each course separately.  A user can create up to 25
the theme for April is “What Cross-
Managers can select the course course bundles Functional Teams Are.”
bundle they want to use, and then  Each bundle may contain up to Each featured leadership topic is sup-
select any or all of the courses in 20 courses which can be a ported by a set of recommended courses
that bundle to build training mixture of Main Catalog and books, a Business Challenge series
requirements for employees. Other Courses and Functional and Practice Zone for interactive learn-
ETMS Web users can also create Courses
ing, and a Related Resources section
training requirements from those  A bundle can be used to build
course bundles that were created training requirements by the with links to information resources and
with a user account, or a user user who created it relevant industry web sites, such as the
account to which you are  Training requirements built Center for Creative Leadership and the
subordinate. In ETMS Web terms, from a course bundle will Harvard Business Review.
being subordinate means that you always be in “Validated” status The LKC can be found on the Re-
are in the same PAS Code/Office If you need help in performing sources for Development link in the
Symbol chain as a user with a higher course bundle processes, click on
SRC Quick Links section.
level ETMS Web profile. Help at at the very top of every web
When you create requirements page. Go to ETMS Help. Go to: SRC online.
using course bundles, the response
Annual Career & Educational Development Reminders
FY13 APDP Certification Course Registration Opens DoD-wide on 17 May 12: The FY13 Defense Acquisition Univer-
sity (DAU) master schedule will be available for student registration for FY13 classes (Oct 2012-Sep 2013) on or about
17 May 2012. Acquisition workforce members should monitor the DAU announcements on the ACQNOW web site
https://www.atrrs.army.mil/channels/acqnowcl/registrar/. Students should have a plan NLT 17 May for the courses they re-
quire over the next 18 months so they can register for those courses on 17 May. Supervisors and acquisition members are re-
sponsible to achieve APDP position certification within the appropriate grace period. Timely certification is tracked by name
and delinquent members are reported to AFMC/CV semi-annually.
Base Level Service Delivery Model IT Tool: The updated BLSDM IT Tool rollout has been underway since Sep 2011 and
expands to AFMC units during Mar and Apr 2012. The new initiative includes three transactions currently conducted in
BLSDM: change of rater requests, decoration rip requests, and certain duty status updates. Instead of MPS accomplishing
these transactions, AFPC Total Force Service Center will now do them. The TFSC has cut processing time from 7 days to 1.
FY13 Civilian Functional Training Requirements Call: Force Development Flights are collecting FY13 requirements for
vendor-provided civilian functional training. AF/A1 manages civilian training funds and allocates to MAJCOMs based upon
identified Priority 1 requirements for civilian training. Your unit functional managers and training personnel should coordinate
functional development needs for their civilian workforce and forward the requirements through the appropriate channels.
CY13 Consolidated Squadron & Deputy Group Commander Candidate Selection Process: PSDM 12-18, released in
March, announced important information and the schedule of events for the CY13 Consolidated Squadron Commander and
Deputy Group Candidate selection process. AFSC qualifications and grade requirements vary by career field. Specifics can
be found on the AFPERS web site at:https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/app/categories/p/8,9/c/20.