CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE


of Back-to-Basics, HCI staff managed union obligations, undertook policy revi- sions to synchronize law and policy, and were ambassadors in the strategic commu- nication campaign. HCI was formerly a direct report to the Office of the Under- secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment but, as of May 2021, “grew roots” with DAU and now falls under its purview.


“At the strategic level, Back-to-Basics puts the learner in the driver’s seat,” Bauer said. “Tis will require individuals to be more intentional about their train- ing.” Acquisition workforce members, in communication with their supervisor, will need to make determinations about what training or credential to take next, he explained.


Aaron Hutson, chief of strategy and policy at the DACM Office, emphasized that Back-to-Basics is a big culture shift.


“[We’re] trying to instill a culture of life- long learning and continuous learning at the point of need. Ten, trying to push that to the workforce, to our supervisors, to be mindful of that,” he said.


WHAT’S A CREDENTIAL? A credential—or, more formally, a defense acquisition credential—“documents the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform a DOD acquisition-related function, skill or set of tasks,” according to DAU. Tey provide the workforce with in-depth train- ing for a singular functional area as well as cross-functional training for several func- tional areas.


“Te main difference between DAWIA [the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act] certification and the Defense Acquisition Credential Program is that certification is required by law and policy, while credentials are not,” Bauer said. Credentials were initially


created as a set of requirements deter- mined by the functional area leads to address specific functional area needs or gaps. “Currently, DAU has deployed more than 40 credentials in a range of areas,” Bauer said.


Earning a credential means that an acqui- sition professional will complete several courses that comprise the credential’s requirements. According to the DACM website, members have one year from enrollment to complete the components of a credential. Once all the components are complete, the credential’s validity starts, and usually lasts 3 to 4 years before need- ing to be renewed, according to the DAU website. Te renewal period is about six months, during which the student must complete the renewal requirements to maintain the credential.


Tese credentials are intended to enhance a workforce member’s knowledge of a


CLOSE RANGE


Virtual instructor-led training is one of several learning-delivery options in the Back-to-Basics training portfolio. Virtual instructor- led trainings have enrollment limits based on demand. (Photo by Michel Sauret, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District)


GROUP SETTING


Instructor-led training is one of the learning delivery options DAU offers in its training portfolio. Back-to-Basics lessens the overall certification training requirements to make training and education more tailored and focused. (Photo by Getty Images)


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Army AL&T Magazine


Fall 2022


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