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News | Aug. 6, 2020

DCAI Instructors Earn Kirkpatrick Gold Level Certification

By DCAA Staff Writer

Defense Contract Audit Institute staff members Dr. Haywood West and Mr. Charles Beard earned the Kirkpatrick Gold Level Certification.  The Kirkpatrick Model is one of the best-known models for analyzing and evaluating the results of training, educational, and talent development programs. It takes into account any style of delivery, both informal and formal, to aptitude based on four levels of criteria​:

  • Reaction - how participants react to the event or program
  • Learning - increase in knowledge, skills, or experience
  • Behavior - use of learning
  • Results – impact of learning on the organization

To earn this level of certification, Dr. West and Mr. Beard collaborated with Dr. Lyn Cheevers, Coaching Program Manager, and created a comprehensive program evaluation plan for DCAA's Coaching Program. After analyzing program data, they presented their findings to Dr. Jim Kirkpatrick, Senior Consultant and Co-Owner of Kirkpatrick Partners, and the Atlanta Federal Executive Board Interagency Learning and Development Council. During their presentation, they shared lessons learned, best practices, and the organizational results from the application of the Kirkpatrick Model. 

Kirkpatrick is an internationally renowned training organization, and its Kirkpatrick Gold Level Certification is designed for professionals who want to make a difference in the world of training and development above and beyond their own organizations. Currently, there are less than 100 talent development professionals in the world who hold Gold Level Certification.  Dr. West and Mr. Beard are committed to continual learning, development, and adult education. The entire Agency will benefit from this certification as Dr. West and Mr. Beard apply the concepts of the Kirkpatrick Evaluation Model to DCAA’s instructional and non-instructional performance improvement initiatives.