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HRMD Training Office named Deming training award finalist
A hallmark of excellence, the W. Edwards Deming Outstanding Training Award is presented annually to a "federal government organization or civilian branch of the military in recognition of the completion of an innovative and impressive employee development and training initiative that has a significant impact within the agency or for a particular training initiative that has benefited the organization." The HRMD Training Office was named a finalist for this competitive award in recognition of its excellence, its partnership with the Graduate School, USDA, for the development of a leadership program based upon the NASA Leadership Model, completion of a training needs assessment of 604 Dryden civil service employees, development of training curricula, coordination of on-site and satellite training programs and the establishment of a new, state-of-the-art learning facility in the unprecedented and short timeframe of six months. The W. Edwards Deming Outstanding Training Award nomination is a welcome accolade for the HRMD Training Office. Dedicated to upholding the ideals of higher education and professional development instituted by NASA Administrator Dan Goldin on behalf of NASA's federal employees, the HRMD Training Office has succeeded in achieving its mission through the hard work, expertise and dedication of Dryden's Director of Human Resources Management and Development Susan Miller, Training Officer Cecilia Cordova, Training Assistant Bridgette Washington-Brown and a staff of two Graduate School, USDA contractors – Training Specialist Lee Williams-Lana and Training Assistant Shannon Craig. Committed to Goldin's vision, Miller tasked Cordova to establish a centralized location in which Dryden employee learning programs could be conducted. Equally enthusiastic about fulfilling Goldin's mandate, Cordova spearheaded the renovation and development of Building 4842 into the new Dryden Learning Center. Cordova executed this task in February 2000 by partnering with the Graduate School, USDA and working diligently to develop part-time learning programs tailored to meet the needs of Dryden's civil service employees. With the committed support of Center Director, Kevin Petersen, the Training Team was able to focus and complete the ambitious project of identifying the training needs of every Dryden civil service employee. Using the new NASA Leadership Model as its foundation, training assessment surveys were developed and curricula identified for Dryden's staff and management populations. Over a period of six weeks, the assessment data was gathered for 98 percent of the Dryden civil service employee population. Based on the results of the assessment, delivery of targeted courses began in August 2000. Dryden's Training program also includes funding for civil service employees to attend offsite conferences, short courses or college courses and onsite courses. The Training staff coordinates NASA development programs that includes Fellowships, Professional Development Programs, the Academy for Program and Project Leadership (APPL), Leadership and Management Development Program (LMDP), NASA Engineering Training (NET), and NASA Safety Training in conjunction with the Dryden Safety Office. A draft alliance between Dryden and the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) allows for Dryden employees to participate in AFFTC courses and receive academic counseling from the AFFTC Education Office. In addition to the courses delivered on-site, Dryden now has the capability to receive courses from the University of Southern California and National Technology University via satellite; 10 employees have already completed academic courses from NTU and USC. The Dryden Learning Center, Building 4842, has four classrooms, two of which are equipped with computers. A plan is in place to add a total of four computer carrels at the DLC for use with new, online and CD-ROM-based courses; these CD-Roms will also be available for check out. All training forms are located within the Dryden Intranet (DFRC121 On-site courses, DFRC141 Off-site courses), as well as applications for academic studies Graduate Studies Program (GSP) and Continuing Education Program (CEP). There are two separate forms that are required to be completed when requesting a course to be brought to Dryden or usage of the Dryden Learning Center. At present they have not been placed on the Intranet, but may be requested from any Training Staff member. Civil service employees with questions about these development opportunities may contact Bridgette Washington (ext. 2501) regarding offsite courses, Shannon Craig (ext. 2991) or Lee Williams-Lana, (ext. 2993) regarding onsite courses or usage of the Dryden Learning Center, and Cecilia Cordova (ext. 3266) regarding NASA, academic programs and any other questions you may have. |
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Responsible NASA Official: John Childress For questions, contact: Dryden Web Group Page Curator:WD-Team Modified: March 26, 2001 |
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