Breakout Session # 911 Sandra L. Winborne, Manager, Certification Programs DANTES Date: April 28, 2004 Time: 1:30 PM

1. NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management in the Business World”

2. DANTES’ Road to a Path of Professional Development Breakout Session # 911 Sandra L. Winborne, Manager, Certification Programs DANTES Date: April 28, 2004 Time: 1:30 PM NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

3. What or Who is DANTES? • Department of Defense Agency • Specialize in Voluntary Education Programs for the Military (Others) • Troops-To-Teachers • Examinations (CLEP, DSST, GRE, etc.) • Certification Programs NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

4. Fastest Growing Occupations According to U. S. Dept. of Labor - America’s Career InfoNet NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

5. Fastest Growing Occupations by Projected % Change Through 2008 Bureau of Labor and Statistics - http://www.bls.gov NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

6. Fastest Growing Occupations by Projected % Through 2012 Bureau of Labor and Statistics - http://www.bls.gov NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

7. Certification Is:  National recognition of an individual’s qualifications to perform specific technical tasks.  Professional achievement in a particular field. NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

8. Why Certification? • Enhances job opportunities for transitioning military personnel • Validates military training in meeting national occupational standards • Documents experience and credentials • Certifies an individual’s competence NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

9. DANTES’ Role • Provide accurate information to field • Ensure validity of agencies • Market the program • Manage Funded Pilots • Prepare SOWs for Contracts • Publish Part III--DANTES Examination Program Handbook DEPH • Publish the National Calendar of Certification Programs NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

10. Benefits of Certification • Professional pubs, journals, newsletters • Networking with other professionals in field • Employers recognize credential--63B or ASE certified? • Professional achievement in a defined occupation • Job advancement NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

11. Workforce of the Future NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

12. Certification or Licensure Notables... • Certification and Licensure exams are expensive (Range is from $100-399) • Retesting is required for most credentials • Study Guides are usually available • Military members may test at DANTES Test Centers or national test centers NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

13. DANTES Areas of Certification • Medical (LCC-ST, EMT, NBRC, ANCC) • Information Technology (CompTIA, ISC, ICCP) • Electronics (ETA-I, NARTE) • Construction (NCCCO, NATE, AIC) • Service (HRCI, NCMA) • Fitness (ACE, NSCA) • Food Service (NEHA, IFSEA, EIH&MA) NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

14. Certification Happenings... • New Certification Program Additions (CompTIA, ASIS, etc.) • After-the-fact Reimbursement for Service Members in ARNG, AFR, and AR • Impact of Public Law 106-419 - VA Benefits using MGIB • GI to Jobs Working Group - C.O.O.L. web site… C.O.O.L.: Credentialing Opportunities On-Line http:www.cool.army.mil/ • Taskforce on Certification and Licensure • Hope to put on a Certification Workshop in FY5 • Certification Materials NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

15. Reimbursement for... These branches of Service reimburse their military personnel the cost of a professional certification or licensure test that DANTES’ sponsors. • Army National Guard (ARNG) • Air Force Reserve (AFR) • Army Reserve (AR) NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

16. Reimbursement for ARNG, AFR, and USAR • Funds provided to DANTES by MIPR to track and process reimbursement claims • Only examinations sponsored by DANTES warrant reimbursement to eligible candidates • Candidates must complete DANTES 1560/41 - DANTES Funded Certification Examination Form for Service Members (Stock #1147) NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

17. Reimbursement for ARNG, AFR, and USAR • Form will only be processed if signed by a TCO, ATCO, or ITCO. • Submit Form 1147 along with a copy of the actual test results and receipt for payment • Only the cost of exam is reimbursed - prep guides and other study materials will not be paid. NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

18. Reimbursement for ARNG, AFR, and USAR • Send a copy of official test results and fee payment to: DANTES Code 20F 6490 Saufley Field Road Pensacola, FL 32509-5243 • DANTES processes form and sends payment request to DFAS NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

19. Reimbursement for ARNG, AFR, and USAR • Examination fees are subject to change by certifying associations. • Currently ARNG, AFR, and USAR, military personnel have ONE attempt at sitting for an exam under this program. Should they fail, the next attempt is on them. NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

20. Public Law 106-419 • Allows usage of the MGIB to pay for certification and licensure examinations - Under Chapters 30, 32, 34, and 35. • $2000 cap per test • Effective Date: 1 March 2001 • For additional information go to: http://www.gibill.va.gov. • Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee (PCLAC) formed... NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

21. DANTES Funded Pilots • Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist (LCC-ST) - Pass rate around 75% • CompTIA - A+ Core and A+ OS Technologies Exams (Paid for Both) • Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Examinations Paid through National Radio and Telecommunications Engineers (NARTE) NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

22. Certification Resources/Materials • DEPH, Part III on DANTES web site • Calendar of National Certification Tests • Brochures • Military Matrix for Each Service Branch • MCNet • Web site: http://www.dantes.doded.mil NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”

23. Contact Us DANTES Certification Program Manager: Sandra L. Winborne DSN 922-1360 CML 850-452-1360 certprog@voled.doded.mil Assistant, Rhonda Watkins NCMA World Congress 2004 “Maximizing Value to Stakeholders…Contract Management within the Business Cycle”