The client is an Air Force agency that advocates information planning, resourcing, testing, training, implementation, and sustainment for its communications, computers, and information technology. The 8570.1 program manager for the agency is responsible for funding a portion of the training and certification of Information Assurance (IA) positions for Air Force personnel within the major commands and units.

The Department of Defense's (DoD) Directive 8570.1 mandated that certain IA personnel must be skilled and certified, based on their job role requirements, in the operation of computer systems used throughout its Global Information Grid. The agency had a requirement to have 10% of their staff compliant in the first year, then an additional 30% compliant each of the next three years.

The agency had an existing e-learning solution that IA-assessed personnel could utilize in preparation for their required industry certification exams. This solution was effective for a number of experienced personnel. However, a more robust instructor-led training program was required to ensure that the remaining personnel, in assessed positions, could effectively prepare for and pass the required certification exams.

The Air Force agency sought a training provider that could deploy a large scale 8570.1 training program to more than 3,000 IA personnel at different locations worldwide in a short timeframe, while meeting specific learning objectives tied to the CompTIA certification programs, specifically A+, Security+, and Network+.

Having been a client of ours for 10 years, the agency program manager knew he could trust them to rapidly develop and deploy a targeted learning program with quality content and instruction.

Global Knowledge collaborated closely with the agency to craft a tailored solution in 45 days that fit the specific training needs of 3000 individuals. On-site courses were scheduled based on the compliancy needs of positions assessed.

This customized training solution was delivered to students located throughout the US, Europe, and Asia. Various tools such as live mentoring, practice exams, study tips, and CompTIA study guides were incorporated. A Global Knowledge Program Manager coordinated the student registration, distribution of course materials and student completion certifications, and tracked mentoring program usage. The pre-course assessments and reading assignments helped the instructors and students identify the areas that students were the weakest in, so together they could concentrate on those areas in class.

Seventy-one percent of the 3,000 students who completed the program achieved their certification. Air Force compliancy was just 3 - 4% prior to the program. In the first year of the program, as many as 60 classes were running per month and the Air Force was able to push its overall compliancy up to 34%. The agency is now in a much better position to secure its information and information systems. Students returned to their missions more proficient in their jobs, with a better understanding of the tasks and challenges at hand and how to complete them.