Engagement and Development 37 technical communities. To enhance our employees’ existing capabilities, we offer programs that meet their needs for where they are — and where they want to go. Some examples follow: y Mission Systems’ engineering and manufacturing leadership programs offer new college graduates a master’s degree in a technical discipline, formal job rotations across the business, business and personal leadership, and self- and team-led projects. y The systems engineering architect leadership program develops highly skilled systems engineers, including a systems engineering certificate, on-the-job electives in key competencies, leadership development and the application of newly developed skills to key technical issues. y Active learning centers in our shipyards teach more than 200 skills, allowing new shipbuilders to learn skills such as welding and pipefitting in a realistic environment. y Program, project and capture management programs continue to develop professionals within these disciplines to further support the business. These programs include GD European Land Systems’ Program Manager Academy, GDIT’s Program Management Summit and Mission Systems’ Capture Manager program, among many others. Competency and Leadership Training To equip our leaders with the skills and competencies they need to lead and engage highly sought-after technical and manufacturing employees, we offer various training programs to enhance their existing capabilities. These programs are tailored to the unique needs of each business, with varying levels that align with the different phases in our employees’ careers. Leadership development programs provide high- potential employees, at all levels, with the skills needed to progress in a high-growth and changing environment. Some examples include Ordnance and Tactical System’s Decathlon Program and Corporate Headquarters’ Management Development Program, where participants are nominated based on their potential. Leadership programs, such as Ordnance and Tactical Systems’ Frontline Supervisor Development program, Mission Systems’ Frontline Leader Program and Electric Boat’s Deckplate Leader Development Program, focus on specific skills and knowledge needed to be successful Operations leaders. y Shadow development programs offer hourly employees the opportunity to “shadow” and experience the demands of the operations supervisor role before making a full-time commitment. Education Assistance In addition to having access to development and skills programs, nearly 2,000 of our employees participate in tuition assistance programs across our businesses to further their education each year.