Professional Development

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

ACT-IAC provides three of the most valuable and highly respected professional development programs in the government IT community.  The goal of these programs is to foster collaboration and communication between government and industry.  Graduates of these programs are uniquely qualified to advance to the next stage in their career.  These professional development programs are only open to members of ACT-IAC.

Partners Program – GS-15 and equivalent

The ACT-IAC Partners Program is the flagship executive development program for senior leaders in government and industry. This program has been in existence for 20 years and continues to provide value by helping to prepare government and industry leaders for their future roles at the SES and company officer levels.  With a 1:1 ratio of government to industry participants the program provides a facilitated and trusted partnership between government and industry over a nine-month program that allows both sides to “walk in the others shoes.”  Graduates will receive Continuing Education Units and, upon graduation, will become members of the ACT-IAC Fellows community – a trusted collaborative network of over 850 government and industry executives.

Voyagers Program – GS-11/13 and equivalent

The ACT-IAC Voyagers Program is a leadership development program for "rising stars" in government and industry with high potential for future advancement.  Intended for individuals in government and industry at the GS-11/13 level, the program will provide the knowledge and skills needed to move to the next level.  With a 1:1 ratio of government to industry participants the program provides a facilitated and trusted partnership between government and industry over a nine-month program that allows both sides to “walk in the others shoes.”  Graduates will receive Continuing Education Units and, upon graduation, will become members of the ACT-IAC Fellows community – a trusted collaborative network of over 850 government and industry executives.

Associates Program – Less than 5 years of career experience

The Associates program prepares entry-level professionals for their future roles as leaders in government and industry.  The Associates program fosters career growth through coaching and classroom training as well as independent and team exercises. Associates learn professional skills, build self-awareness and develop a broader view of government contracting. The Associates Program aims to provide essential personal, team, and career skills about professional culture and practices not taught in any other curriculum. 

ACT-IAC Fellows Program - Graduate School for Partners and Voyagers

Graduates of the ACT-IAC Partners and Voyagers programs are entitled to join the ACT-IAC Fellows, an alumni association reserved for those who have completed one of the programs as either a class member or as a leader (chair or vice-chair.) The ACT-IAC Fellows are perhaps the most active and engaged group of alums in the government community. Nearly 850 Fellows regularly participate in professional and social events, some reserved exclusively for Fellows and others inviting the larger community to participate in Fellow-sponsored activities. Recently, the ACT-IAC Fellows OASIS Working Group assisted the General Service Administration in the One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS) contract acquisition cycle, providing vendor input and survey results to the program management office.

For more information about ACT-IAC Professional Development contact Casey Harris, Associate Director of Professional Development and Education at charris@actiac.org