New participants of NAVAIR’s Journey Leadership Development Program at Patuxent River, Md., gather after a national kickoff Nov. 6. (U.S. Navy photo)
Patuxent River, MD — Eighty-seven of NAVAIR’s future leaders gathered for a national kickoff of the Journey Leadership Development Program (JLDP) Nov. 6.
The purpose of JLDP is to enhance employees’ leadership, managerial and productivity skills and strengthen the NAVAIR workforce for the future. The new JLDP class brings the program to approximately 450 civilian and military employees from every NAVAIR site, including artisans at the Fleet Readiness Centers.
Garry Newton, NAVAIR deputy commander, emphasized the importance of networking through the program.
“Take advantage of the program and the people,” he said. “Learn from the program itself and your peers, the people you don’t always normally interact with.”
Participants learned about the requirements of the program and the new online developmental program tool, which helps employees chart their progress in the program, stores documents and automates forms to eliminate paperwork.
The one- to two-year JLDP offers journey-level employees networking opportunities, classroom-based leadership training, computer-based organization and operations training, job shadowing and interviews with senior leaders.
Colin Grey, a program manager from Patuxent River, said he applied to further develop his management, leadership and critical thinking skills.
“I hope to continue my career growth and apply the experience and knowledge gained from the program at work,” he said. “I would like to meet new people to better understand their perspectives and ways of resolving work-related issues.”
Participants produce an individual development plan to chart their career goals and formalize mentoring relationships using iMentor, NAVAIR’s online application that matches mentors with mentees. They also attend events related to leadership, diversity and wellness.
Both Diane Greico and Valerie Walter said they are looking forward to the mentoring opportunities.
“I am eager to work with a mentor to help assist and guide me to areas of future career interest,” Greico said. “I am also eager to attend the training sessions, shadow senior-level management and experience firsthand what it takes to keep daily operations flowing.”
Walter, an engineer, agreed that senior leaders’ perspectives will be invaluable. “I am most excited to shadow and mentor leaders outside my home competency to increase my understanding of how each individual competency supports the goals of NAVAIR,” she said.
Learn more about JLDP and the other training and developmental programs available to NAVAIR employees.