AETC prioritizes data literacy to equip staff for digital future

In today's increasingly data-driven landscape, the ability to collect, analyze and interpret information effectively is paramount to developing a lethal and ready force. 

Recognizing this, Air Education and Training Command has launched a comprehensive initiative to enhance the data literacy of its staff, equipping them with essential skills for the digital age. 

“The initiative emerged from the command’s strategic operational approach and supports a key line of effort for the command,” Jerry Perez, AETC Chief of Force Development Experiences and Validation, told attendees during the command’s annual Force Development Summit, March 25. "Failure to adapt puts us behind our peers and competitors, impacting our ability to make the right and best decisions." 

The initiative began with a self-assessment survey administered to AETC staff in November 2023, revealing that over 50% of respondents assessed their data literacy proficiency as basic or less. 

“This concerning trend underscored the need for upskilling,” Perez said. “We've got to be better than that. In today's environment, a basic level is not going to be good enough.” 

The response to the trend has been a multi-pronged approach, Perez said. 

• A new performance element, emphasizing foundational training in data literacy was introduced for this year. 

• Three core competencies – data management, data analysis and data visualization – were identified, each with four proficiency levels, with the current focus on achieving basic and intermediate proficiency levels across the staff. 

• A foundational data literacy course, developed in collaboration with AETC/A9 and AETC/A6, was made available on the AETC learning platform and is mandatory for all staff. 

• Additionally, tailored learning pathways focusing on specific areas like AI and Power BI were created to further enhance data literacy skills. 

Looking ahead, AETC's commitment to data literacy extends beyond this initial push, said Perez. 

• A new civilian performance element for the 2025-2026 appraisal period will focus on the practical application of learned data skills. 

• Senior staff at the director level will soon be required to undergo AI training. 

• Furthermore, personalized learning pathways based on specific roles and responsibilities are being developed to provide more targeted training. 

“By investing in its workforce's data literacy, AETC is taking proactive steps to ensure its readiness for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age,” Perez said. “This forward-thinking approach will undoubtedly pay dividends, enabling the command to make more informed decisions and maintain its competitive edge for years to come.”