The Need for Speed in Acquisition Training
On the latest FEDtalk, we take a trip around the track and explore how the training industry is evolving to meet the needs of the federal acquisition workforce.
Guests Robert Daugherty, Acquisition & Contracting Product Director for Management Concepts, and Melissa Starinsky, Managing Member at Starinsky LLC and retired Senior Executive Service, join FEDtalk host Jason Briefel for the discussion.
Today’s federal acquisition environment requires a “need for speed” said Starinsky, who served in executive roles at three large federal agencies and is the immediate past president of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA). It also requires a workforce prepared to serve as key business advisers, with a deep network of contacts across the community.
Daugherty, who also served in several executive roles across the Defense contracting enterprise including as Dean of the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) agreed. He explains how the new Career Gateway: Acquisition differs from the prior mode of delivering acquisition training, which was often rote and classroom based. Daughter joined FEDtalk in February as the program was launched, and now provides additional details on how the program is supporting the modern acquisition workforce.
Daugherty discussed how Management Concepts sees training for the federal workforce shifting towards an experiential, cohort-based model. Daugherty explains the value of “true adult learning” which incorporates facilitators, coaches, and outcome focused exercises. The Career Gateway provides an example of how this type of learning can support the acquisition workforce.
“Federal acquisition can be such an exciting, and lucrative, career field. And it’s a career field you can pivot into mid-career, not just be in it for 40 years. I was able to do some really incredible work in this field and continue to encourage folks to consider the exciting career opportunities in federal contracting,” said Starinsky.
You can stream the show online anytime via the Federal News Network app and listen to the FEDtalk on all major podcasting platforms. FEDtalk is a live talk show produced by Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C., a federal employment law firm. Bringing you the insider’s perspective from leaders in the federal community since 1993.
