DoDEA Announces Official Partnership with DoD SkillBridge Program

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Human Resources Division is proud to announce that DoDEA is now an official industry partner of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) SkillBridge Program. 

SkillBridge is a transformative DoD initiative that enables active-duty service members to gain valuable civilian work experience through industry internships, apprenticeships, and job training programs during their final 180 days of military service. The program serves as a vital bridge between military service and civilian employment by connecting transitioning service members with real-world career opportunities offered by participating industry partners.  

DoDEA’s participation in SkillBridge reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting veterans and strengthening its workforce through talent from the military community. Leading this initiative is Dr. Darrell Dudley-Govan, DoDEA’s SkillBridge Coordinator and a member of the HR Strategic Talent Sourcing and Workforce Planning Team. As a former SkillBridge participant himself, Dr. Dudley-Govan brings personal insight and deep understanding of the program’s potential to empower transitioning service members with skills and opportunities for success in civilian careers. 

The SkillBridge program will initially be piloted with two critical roles within DoDEA: Administrative Officer (AO) and JROTC Instructor positions. These roles provide a strong foundation for service members seeking to apply their leadership, organizational, and operational skills in a civilian educational environment. 

Dr. Beth Schiavino-Narvaez, Director of DoDEA, shared her enthusiasm for the new partnership, “We are honored to be a part of the SkillBridge program and proud to support our service members as they transition to civilian life. Their leadership, discipline, and commitment to excellence make them a tremendous asset to our organization. This partnership reflects DoDEA’s broader mission to serve and support the military community—not only through education, but also through meaningful career pathways.” 

This partnership marks an exciting step forward in DoDEA’s strategic workforce planning efforts and its ongoing support for our nation’s service members as they transition to civilian life. 

For any questions pertaining to release please contact the Public Affairs Office at Jessica.tackaberry@dodea.edu, +49-0611-143-545-1518, +1-703-438-1070.