Episode 006: A Talent Management System for Veterans with Matthew P. Donovan
Along with the many programs and organizations that are dedicated to serving veterans and their families, there are also several federal agencies that are instrumental in ensuring that veterans successfully reintegrate back into their communities. The VA is the first agency that everyone thinks about, but there is also the Department of Labor, Department of Agriculture, and Housing and Urban Development, just to name a few. The Department of Defense is often overlooked since it is considered to function only to currently serving military members, and then the focus usually goes to VA when it is a matter related to veterans. The future success of veterans and their families actually starts when they are still serving, that is the reason why this success is rooted in the Department of Defense, with its various personnel programs, including education, training, and health care.
Sam Whitehurst, your host, welcomes Matthew P. Donovan to today’s episode Mr. Donovan is the person in charge of the seamless transition between the DoD and the VA. Mr. Donovan is the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and he serves as the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense for force readiness; force management; health affairs; National Guard and Reserve component affairs; education and training; and military and civilian personnel requirements and management, including equal opportunity, morale, welfare, recreation, and quality of life matters.
In this episode, Mr. Donovan acknowledges how DoD manages his personnel is sometimes an imperfect system and he also shares their strategy to address these imperfections as well as some recent successes in keeping pace with the evolving needs of military members, veterans, and their families.
Key Takeaways:
[4:18] Mr. Donovan shares how he started in the air force and what brought him into the role he has in the present.
[11:25] The importance of talent management.
[12:33] Mr. Donavan shares how they develop a vision and a strategy to meet it.
[16:20] Mr. Donovan talks about the idea of granting serving members with on- and off-ramps in order to adjust to different life circumstances.
[20:03] Mr. Donovan shares his thoughts and ideas about the initiatives and policies to support veterans transitioning into the civilian workforce.
[21:56] The Federal Electronic Health record.
[23:57] The Personnel records.
[25:34] DoD SkillBridge is one of the most impactful programs to ensure a successful transition.
[26:30] SkillBridge partners with private industries to help veterans find jobs but also for companies to find the workforce that they need for their industries.
[27:40] Mr. Donovan shares an example of what has been learned this year during the pandemic: the matter of teleworking.
Mentioned in this episode:
Dixon Center: Reaching America
At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, we believe our veterans and military families can succeed where they live.
Dixon Center is named after Staff Sergeant Donnie Dixon, who was killed in action on September 29, 2007, in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Dixon was a father, husband, and Soldier who always placed the mission first and the safety of his fellow Soldiers above his own. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services stands as a testament to his example and leadership.
Learn more about Matthew P. Donovan
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
Tweetables and quotes:
“A talent management system takes more into account in regards to people’s own expectations and control over their own careers.”
“In SkillBridge, serving members are approached before they retire to give them skills that they would apply in the fields they desire to work in, skills that will translate directly into jobs.”
“DoD SkillBridge is one of the most impactful programs in assuring a successful transition from active duty service to becoming a productive member of the civilian workforce.”
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