Workforce Assessment of Information Technology Sailors
Published Date: July 1, 2002
Abstract:D6070 In this first application of the SkillsNET process to the Navy, Sailors described their job tasks; each task was then linked to skills and abilities. Next, Sailors grouped the tasks into clusters, identified the required tools and knowledge, and rated the mission criticality of each task. The SkillsNET method identified 200 more tasks than the Occupational Standards for the information technology area. This is significant because the standards are a primary basis for developing training content and advancement exams. Additionally, we found that A-Schools do not cover many mission-critical tasks. There is a significant overlap in the tasks performed by Sailors in three separate ratings, which implies a significant potential for consolidating training related to the overlapping tasks. We found that work performed does not always reflect the competencies for which a reenlistment bonus was paid. Sailors who do network administration but do not receive a bonus are more likely than the bonus recipients to plan to leave the Navy. Finally, advancement exams often fail to cover the critical tasks. The study recommends enhancing the occupational standards with a more comprehensive process that captures the competencies and identifies the mission criticality of the tasks.
