Sustaining workforce is NDIA's top issues.

• Author: Steffes, Peter M.
• Position: GOVERNMENT POLICY - National Defense Industrial Association

* The National Defense Industrial Association identified the sustaining of the U.S. national security workforce advantage as its number one priority in 2008.

The association's board of directors approved the "Top Issues for 2008" at its semi-annual meeting in November. Replacing the depleted federal acquisition workforce continues to represent a challenge for federal agencies. Insufficient and improperly skilled employees can affect the ability of agencies to meet their mission requirements.

During the next five years, nearly 50 percent of the acquisition workforce will be eligible for retirement, some estimates show. For example, there are scores of unfilled acquisition positions at the Department of Homeland Security that could undermine that federal agencies' preparedness.

Resolving acquisition workforce issues calls for advanced recruitment processes, increased training and amended retention priorities. We face human capital concerns that must be met with revised policies along with adequate funds available to train the acquisition workforce.

This could include a government-industry acquisition professional exchange program to broaden practical experience, and gain critical skills.

Under normal government hiring procedures, an agency must publicize a job and then rate and rank candidates using a structured assessment process. These procedures take months to complete, although some agencies have a limited direct hire authority for certain specified positions. NDIA supports a broader application of direct hiring authority as a way to replenish vacancies as they occur in a timely manner.

NDIA endorses human resources reforms. This includes allowing pay for performance, and career progression based on learning and organizational contributions, not time in grade. Pay and benefits of our acquisition workforce must also remain competitive with industry.

Under current regulations, veteran preferences do not have to be considered for direct hire authority. However, NDIA believes veteran preferences should be applied at all levels of government hiring.

Furthermore, NDIA strongly endorses recent congressional efforts to extend the authority for agencies to fill critical shortages and the repeal of any reduction in retirement pay for retired annuitants who would be willing to rejoin the acquisition workforce and act as mentors for new hires.

Actions are also urgently needed to attract, educate and retain skilled workers in the U.S. manufacturing...