Project NEXUS, a beta test program designed with the intent to fuel organic technology problem solving efforts for Airmen in their day-to-day workplaces, graduated its first class Nov. 4.
The graduation ceremony saw 18 students complete the 120-day course held at the Capital Factory, home to the Air Education and Training Command Integrated Technology Detachment and the AFWERX-Austin hub.
"Project NEXUS will drive internal AETC expertise in modern data science and mobile design and development," said Capt. Kyle Palko, Project NEXUS project manager. "It will empower Airmen to become elite digital professionals who deliver strategic data and development capabilities."
The three cohorts of six Airmen, who came from various Air Force specialties and backgrounds, specialized in data science, software development or application design.
"Participants will return to their home units armed with the skills to more effectively solve their career field's operational problems," Palko said. "If the Project NEXUS prototype ends up delivering outsized output, capable personnel and can scale cost effectively, then we could look at scaling up Air Force-wide. If not, it would still be a success because we'll take lessons learned and roll them into other Air Force initiatives."
To learn more about Project NEXUS, listen to the "Developing Mach-21 Airmen" NEXUS podcast.
Maj. Rachel Ramirez, Senior Airman Jacob Traugott, Maj. Ivan Bohlender and Maj. Louis Bennett talk with Maj. Gen. Mark Weatherington, Air Education and Training Command deputy commander, about Project NEXUS before their graduation ceremony Nov. 4, 2019, at the Capital Factory in Austin, Texas. Designed by the AETC Integrated Technology Detachment and hosted by the AFWERX-Austin hub, the beta test program was designed to fuel organic technology problem solving efforts for Airmen in their day-to-day workplaces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jordyn Fetter)
