Local education partnership benefits training for entire Air Force

  • Published
  • By Donovan Potter 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – Members of the 367th Training Support Squadron can now receive a customized, in-residence education at Davis Technical College in graphics design, software development and business administration.

The recent agreement made between the training squadron, and Davis Tech offers industry accreditation and certification for 367th TRSS members in what was previously only offered through an on-the-job training program.

Squadron members often have little to no background in computer-based training development since their specialty is in aircraft maintenance, missile maintenance, maintenance management analysis and cyber systems operations.  

These skilled craftsmen from the maintenance community can now get a professional education on creating training products.

“This is the beginning of structuring the multi-capable Airman and getting them the ability to use and master the tools,” said Tomas Villegas, 367th TRSS director of training. “We get maintainers from the flight line who have to learn how to create the products and we don’t have subject-matter experts to help. Now we have them at Davis Tech. The faculty are the SMEs.”

Maintainers become members of the 367th from all Air Force major commands and create training products for the entire Air Force, so education opportunities for the members of the 367th benefits the Air Force as a whole.

“The MAJCOMS are entrusting us with their personnel to help facilitate training for everyone,” Villegas said. “The products we produce go Air Force wide, so any opportunity that supports our Airmen, supports the total force.”

Lt. Col. Adam Pierce, Commander of the 367th TRSS, said partnering with Davis Tech means taking an active role in professionally developing their team to perform increasingly complex tasks that demand more proficiency.

“With the backing of some of the best faculty in the state of Utah and some of the strongest, industry-driven practices, this partnership allows us to serve as a threshold and model-unit for developing effective, efficient, and engaging training material," he said.

Villegas said partnering with Davis Tech and allowing his squadron members to take courses there is a good investment for his people and the Air Force.

“It’s a perpetual type of relationship where the Air Force invests in the Airman and the Airmen invest in the Air Force,” he said. “We can grab their knowledge and put it into actual practical training and with their help, the training we can build in limitless.”