AFRL Leader Addresses the STEM Talent Pipeline

The chapter welcomed Jessica Salyers, deputy executive director, Air Force Research Laboratory, as its September guest speaker. At the chapter's monthly luncheon, Salyers spoke to a packed house and provided the roadmap and strategic plan for the laboratories. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is located at over nine bases, and 11,000 employees provide research and development for the Air Force. AFRL executes $2.7 billion in science and technology, $2.4 billion in customer funding and $1.6 billion in non-science and technology funding. AFRL is looking to the next generation of workforce employees with the Workforce Agility Study and Pilot program. In conjunction with the Air Force Science and Technology Strategy 2030, AFRL is examining the question, "Who Will We Be Tomorrow?" and set up three objectives. Objective one: to develop and deliver transformational strategic capabilities. Objective two: to reform the way science and technology is led and managed. Objective three: to deepen and expand the scientific and technical enterprise. AFRL kicked off the Workforce Agility Study in the Fall of 2017 to improve recruiting, selection, hiring, interviewing and performance management. Through community efforts, AFRL determined they must leverage STEM programs to create a larger, more diverse talent pipeline earlier to grow, develop, hire and retain the best.

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