Telecommunications Is Key Focus Area for AFCEA's Professional Development Center
AFCEA’s Professional Development Center (PDC) provides ways to improve both through its Preferred Provider Program, instructor-led on-site/virtual courses, on-demand courses and continuing education sessions at events.
In the 21st century, communicating requires technical knowledge and interpersonal skills to be effective. AFCEA’s Professional Development Center (PDC) provides ways to improve both through its Preferred Provider Program, instructor-led on-site/virtual courses, on-demand courses and continuing education sessions at events.
Since its founding, telecommunications, including data communications, has been a key focus area for AFCEA. Its professional development offerings support the technical aspects of communications, including the transmission, receipt, networking and security of various sorts of communications and the use of many sections of the electromagnetic spectrum. The PDC also supports training on the interpersonal and management side of communications, including emergency communications, public affairs and communications planning.
AFCEA’s Preferred Providers, which include the American Public University System, Montreat College and SANS Institute, offer courses and certificates as well as associate, bachelor and graduate degrees that cover a range of communication topics. AFCEA members may receive a discount on tuition.
The association’s instructor-led classes, which can be held on-site or virtually, focus on the technical aspects of communication. The classes run from three to four days and are suited for communication engineers, acquisition professionals and managers in the military and for members of the business sector who work within the military environment. Classes can be presented to an organization for a fixed price for up to 20 students or individually through the virtual option.
AFCEA also offers more than 50 on-demand online courses focused on interpersonal communication skills. Some have been approved for continuing education credit through IACET, HRCI and PMI. An “Ask the Expert” feature in these classes enable instructors in the field of study to respond to questions within 24 hours. AFCEA members receive a discount using a code found on their member page.
The association’s continuing education program helps members maintain cybersecurity certification with continuing education sessions that are part of its online and in-person events. These sessions are reviewed by CompTIA and GIAC for approval. For many in-person events, AFCEA provides current members with formal attendance documentation as a membership benefit. For online events and webinars, attendees can prepare attendance documentation with tips on the AFCEA website.
Information about all the PDC’s programs is available on the Education page of AFCEA’s website at www.afcea.org/site/Education, by contacting Susan Fofi at pdc@afcea.org or by emailing Sheila McCoy at ce@afcea.org.
