In the past, getting a job at General Dynamics Information Technology may have required you to have a top-secret security clearance. As a provider of information technology, systems engineering, and professional services to the federal government, General Dynamics IT is now embarking on a new talent initiative that will broaden its pool of prospective employees.
Bridging the IT Skills Gap
“It’s become very competitive to recruit top talent,” says Michele Randall, a talent network specialist with General Dynamics IT. “There’s a skills gap that’s affecting the IT industry, so when we eliminate candidates that lack a clearance, the number of qualified candidates shrinks even more.”
To support its new recruitment strategy, General Dynamics IT is expanding its customer base to include more commercial clients. If the company hires someone who is qualified but lacks a security clearance, they can work with the commercial customers while they complete the clearance process.
Networking Events Connect ECPI Graduates to In-demand Careers
General Dynamics IT is setting up networking events at targeted colleges and universities. ECPI University’s was one of the first schools the company contacted. Randall made her first trip to ECPI University’s Richmond Innsbrook campus in October and is set to return again in November.
“Our new initiative’s goal is to build a community of talented individuals with IT service desk and software development knowledge,” says Randall. “ECPI University has a very good reputation in the IT industry,” says Randall. “We wanted to start at ECPI because its graduates have a specific set of skills that align quite well with the jobs we are trying to fill. Theory is all fine and well but we want people who can do the job on day one with little or no training.”
Professional IT Certifications Give Students & Alumni a Leg Up
Randall says General Dynamics is particularly impressed with ECPI University’s certification program. The exams for professional IT certifications like Security+ can cost several hundred dollars. That’s why ECPI University provides each student with vouchers that allow them to take up to five professional certification exams right on campus for just $15. When they graduate, they receive five more vouchers at only $20 per test.
ECPI University’s Richmond/Innsbrook Campus Director of Career Services, Sara Stone says she will be working with her counterparts at other ECPI University campuses to offer opportunities to even more of the University’s students. “We couldn’t be more pleased to be included in this talent community,” says Stone. “ECPI University has built its reputation on providing job-ready graduates and having a highly-respected company like General Dynamics IT look to us as a partner really validates all that we are doing.”
To learn more about General Dynamics Information Technology’s Talent Community Initiative, contact Michele Randall at Michele.Randall@GDIT.com or connect with her on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter.
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