Facing the human capital crisis: successful recruitment program pilot at Edwards AFB - Best Practices

Defense AT&L, Jan-Feb, 2004 by Rachel Schwarz

Double Payback

The Edwards pilot was valuable for both Edwards AFB and Knowledge Workers. "I look at what we have now as a pick list of supplies, methodologies, and strategies to position Edwards for hiring success well into the future," says Weiner. And not only will the lessons learned at Edwards AFB allow the base to continue to expand and reach out to new candidates, but Knowledge Workers, too, can use what they learned at Edwards as benchmarks when they implement similar methodologies at different sites throughout the nation.

The Edwards Air Force Base pilot created a proactive approach to the human capital crisis, one based on targeting needed personnel and going after them at the Web sites they visit or the universities they attend. It's an approach that says, "Our jobs and our mission are important to you. If you join us, there will be exciting opportunities to develop yourself and your career." It speaks for the success of the pilot that the Department of the Air Force has decided to take over and continue the Edwards pilot and to fund a spiral activity that will reproduce the Edwards successes at up to seven additional Air Force bases in 2004.

Editor's note: Comments and questions should be directed to Steve Tkac at steve.tkac@osd.mil.

Schwarz worked for the Acquisition Workforce and Career Management Office while on summer break from Baylor University, where she is currently in her junior year pursuing a bachelor's degree in business.