The Fort Sill Army Garrison will conduct its first workforce development symposium Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The garrison commander's opening remarks, and a Civilian Education System overview provided by the Army Management Staff College are scheduled from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Patriot Club Ballroom. This will be the place of duty for all non-mission critical garrison employees.

Starting at 1 p.m., the event will move to the Harry S Truman Army Education Center on Sheridan Road with various breakout sessions and information booths. Garrison employees are authorized up to two hours to attend sessions of interest or to just browse the various information tables.

Subjects include civilian workforce transformation, internships, fellowship and mentorship programs, career programs and Army Civilian Training, Education and Development System funding for your college education, climbing the corporate ladder, Team Sill Leadership Academy, as well as courses that are available to DA civilians that are offered by the Graham Resiliency Training Campus, Army Community Service and Army Substance Abuse Program. As a reminder bring your common access card.

The last workforce engagement survey asked garrison employees if they believed someone at work encouraged their development, and if in the last year they had the opportunity to grow and develop. Employee responses showed that workforce development for garrison employees was an area that needed improvement. Everybody may not want to advance, but the garrison commander and director of human resources want to ensure that everybody has the opportunity to develop.

Money is tight, but there is a multitude of training and development opportunities available to employees that is either centrally funded, available locally, or online, and doesn't cost an organization a dime.

At the end of the work day, the garrison commander will host a social beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Patriot Club.