Although most organizations claim that investment in the workforce is a priority, the Navy Installations Command is walking the talk by investing $2.5 million into training for employees across the shore enterprise.

The command is committed to developing workforce competencies to support its mission in a more effective manner, according to Julia Downs, director of the command's center for workforce development and strategy.

"By investing in you, we hope one of the end results is that you will stay for the long-term," Downs said to a group of personnel attending a course on building trust under pressure. "Just by being here you are demonstrating your commitment to the organization and I want you to know that the command is committed to you."

The training, which was conducted at headquarters May 24-25, was offered to employees in the Washington D.C. area and will be offered across all regions by the end of the year.

"Trust creates an atmosphere where employees want to come to work," said Michael Stacy, the contractor who was the master facilitator for the course. "You see increases in morale and productivity increases too."

Those who attended the four-hour course learned about six principles that help build trust in the workplace. The principles suggest that the way to earn trust is by focusing on the situation and not on the person, maintaining the self-confidence and self-esteem of co-workers, maintaining constructive relationships, taking initiative to make things better, leading by example and thinking beyond the moment.

"I thought this course was great," said Connie Clausen, a plans and programs integrator at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. "We spent time talking to others from different departments who are having similar issues and learned from them how they are working it."

"It was helpful, hands-on and practical," said Courtney Hillery, Child Development Center II director at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. "It puts more tools in our leadership toolbox... we need this to help us make this organization even greater."

The course is only one of several training classes that will made available to Navy Installations Command employees. Other sessions include "Taking Customer Service to the Next Level," "Communicating Strategically" and "Supervisor's Role in Human Resources Management."

"This is about our employees, this is for them," said Curtis Wiggins, with Navy Installation Command's workforce planning and development.

The Navy Installations Command is comprised of about 52,000 military and civilian personnel worldwide and is responsible for the shore operations and maintenance, and quality of life programs that support the Navy's fleet, its Sailors and their families.

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