Dr. Theresa Shafer, an aerospace engineer, is one of the hundreds of NAVAIR employees who have participated in developmental assignments to bolster their organizational knowledge and learn new skills. (U.S. Navy photo)

Patuxent River, MD — Going back to school doesn’t have to mean pencils, books and an apple for the teacher.

Dr. Theresa Shafer, an aerospace engineer by trade, recently went “back to school” when she took on a six-month developmental assignment with the NAVAIR

University College of Research and Engineering (CORE) as an operations analyst.
NAVAIR University, which is comprised of nine colleges, was founded in 2013 to provide cross-training and hands-on learning for NAVAIR employees. According to Tania Dawson, NAVAIRU program manager, NAVAIRU courses can fill skill gaps and foster knowledge growth, while also awarding continuous learning credits.

CORE, for example, which is geared toward NAVAIR’s research and engineering workforce, consists of 15 schools and offers technical training focused on the unique aspects of engineers’ and scientists’ work in the naval aviation environment.

“NAVAIRU and CORE are part of the command’s strategic initiative for employee development,” Shafer said. “CORE offers training to the workforce that will provide on-the-job technical skills needed to support the warfighter and NAVAIR’s mission. CORE is also a mechanism by which technical expertise can be captured and used to develop the workforce, now and in the future.”

During her assignment, Shafer worked with CORE Operations Manager Dr. Melissa Denihan and Director Gary Cote to further refine and execute the college’s strategic plan, identify ways to streamline operations, use AIR-4.0’s training resources most efficiently, lead cross-department and cross-competency working groups and develop classroom-based and online courses. She also interacted with NAVAIR senior leaders and said, as a result, she was exposed to many aspects of NAVAIR outside her area of expertise, including contracts, financial management, strategic communications, workforce development and curriculum development.

“Theresa’s background working with engineers of varying experience levels within the organization, as well as helping to acclimate new engineers to NAVAIR, gives her a unique perspective on how CORE can help the workforce. This has been invaluable as we work to further develop the college,” Denihan said. “In terms of Theresa’s professional development, this rotation has exposed her to strategic thinking and planning at the senior leadership level in AIR-4.0, something she would normally not have an opportunity to experience at this stage in her career.”

Shafer is just one of the hundreds of NAVAIR employees who have participated in developmental assignments, using NAVAIR’s Developmental Assignment Registry. The Developmental Assignment Registry is an online national interactive database that allows Department of the Navy civil service employees to post their resumes and search and apply for developmental assignments.

Developmental assignments, which are temporary and vary in duration, give employees the opportunity to build their knowledge and obtain hands-on experience in different functional areas. Some of the benefits include:
• The ability to improve job performance through educational and learning opportunities
• Increased inter-organizational understanding
• Exposure and access to resources and a better understanding of NAVAIR’s mission and strategic initiatives
• The ability to temporarily staff for vacant positions
• Assistance on a special project, team or event

“Developmental assignments are a valuable way to expose an employee to other aspect of our organization, which can help the individual grow and develop themselves,” Shafer said. “It also builds important relationships.”

NAVAIR’s Career Development Office Director Diane Wallace has said developmental assignments allow employees to learn new skills and hone their leadership abilities.

“These assignments provide many benefits, including cross-training, networking and gaining a greater perspective of NAVAIR as a whole,” she said.
Find more information on NAVAIR’s training and developmental programs.