BG Workforce Celebrates Grand Opening of Advanced Maritime Training Suite

LEXINGTON, KY, July 28, 2025 – BG Workforce Solutions, a Lexington-based leader in workforce modernization, proudly announces that it has achieved an Authorization to Operate (ATO) at Impact Level 4 (IL4) in the DoD GovCloud environment for its innovative software product CertiFLEX™, an online Learning Management System (LMS) and training delivery platform. This is the third BG Workforce software product to achieve this ATO, joining Gemini™, a digital training and point-of-work support platform, and SMARTS™, a workforce readiness and skills reporting system. These Cloud Service Offerings (CSOs) are now authorized to handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), enabling secure, mission-critical support for technical workforces in the civilian and uniformed services. Achieved in just seven months through a strategic partnership with Second Front Systems, Inc., this milestone highlights BG Workforce’s commitment to DoD’s rigorous cybersecurity standards and excellence in product development. A Milestone for DoD Innovation “This IL4 ATO represents a massive achievement for our IT and development team,” said Frank Cercone, CEO of BG Workforce Solutions. “With this ATO, CertiFLEX is now the only non-service-specific LMS available for the DoD to host and deliver CUI training content. We extend our gratitude to our DoD partners and Second Front Systems for their collaboration in making this a reality.” Proven Scalability and Performance CertiFLEX™, Gemini ™ , and SMARTS™ are designed for rapid scaling across DoD operations, from local bases to global theaters. Currently deployed to support maintenance operations in the Army Organic Industrial Base (OIB) and advanced manufacturing at the INDOPACOM Advanced Manufacturing Training Suite (AMTS) in Hawai’i, these tools are driving measurable improvements in workforce readiness and technical training. Early adopters report enhanced training efficiency and workforce preparedness, with detailed case studies available upon request. Standing Out in a Competitive Landscape Unlike broader platforms from larger providers, BG Workforce offers specialized, DoD-focused solutions that prioritize ease of use and rapid impact. Our cloud-based tools integrate seamlessly with existing systems, requiring minimal infrastructure changes, and are supported by a dedicated team to ensure smooth deployment. To build trust and transparency, we invite DoD stakeholders to engage with us for live demonstrations, pilot programs, or performance metrics. About the Tools: BG Workforce’s tools represent the pinnacle of technologies powering skills-first organizations and digitally enabled technical workforces: CertiFLEX™: Deploys accessible, remote technical training anytime, anywhere. Gemini™: Empowers technicians with real-time digital training and point-of-work guidance, reducing errors and accelerating skill development. SMARTS™: Delivers actionable insights into workforce readiness, enabling data-driven decisions & automated skills tracking to optimize human capital and mission outcomes. Ready for DoD-Wide Deployment With IL4 authorization, CertiFLEX™, Gemini™, and SMARTS™ are poised for immediate deployment to any DoD operation, regardless of service branch or location. Whether supporting stateside maintenance crews or forward-deployed units, these tools deliver secure, scalable, and impactful solutions tailored to the DoD’s needs. About BG Workforce Solutions Headquartered in Lexington, KY, BG Workforce Solutions equips the DoD with innovative training and digital tools to build and sustain a skilled technical workforce. Our products prioritize security, ease of use, and rapid return on investment, making us a trusted partner for mission-critical operations. Schedule a demo or request a case study today to explore how CertiFLEX™, Gemini™, and SMARTS™ can transform your workforce.

LEXINGTON, KY, June 23, 2025 – BG Workforce Solutions, a Lexington-based leader in workforce modernization, proudly announces that it has achieved an Authorization to Operate (ATO) at Impact Level 4 (IL4) in the DoD GovCloud environment for two innovative software products: Gemini™, a digital training and point-of-work support platform, and SMARTS™, an enterprise workforce readiness and skills reporting system. These Cloud Service Offerings (CSOs) are now authorized to handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), enabling secure, mission-critical support for technical workforces in the civilian and uniformed services. Achieved in just six months through a strategic partnership with Second Front Systems, Inc., this milestone highlights BG Workforce’s commitment to DoD’s rigorous cybersecurity standards and excellence in product development. A Milestone for DoD Innovation “This IL4 ATO reflects the dedication of our IT and development team,” said Frank Cercone, CEO of BG Workforce Solutions. “Our agile approach allows us to deliver tailored, high-value solutions that meet the DoD’s evolving needs while maintaining enterprise-grade security and scalability. We extend our gratitude to our DoD partners and Second Front Systems for their collaboration in making this a reality.” Proven Scalability and Performance Gemini™ and SMARTS™ are designed for rapid scaling across DoD operations, from local bases to global theaters. Currently deployed to support high-velocity training at multiple sites in the Army Organic Industrial Base (AOIB) and advanced manufacturing at the INDOPACOM Advanced Manufacturing Training Suite (AMTS) in Hawai’i, these tools are driving measurable improvements in workforce modernization & readiness initiatives. Early adopters report enhanced training efficiency and workforce preparedness, with detailed case studies available upon request. Standing Out in a Competitive Landscape Unlike broader platforms from larger providers, BG Workforce offers specialized, DoD-focused solutions that prioritize ease of use and rapid impact. Our cloud-based tools integrate seamlessly with existing systems, requiring minimal infrastructure changes, and are supported by a dedicated team to ensure smooth deployment. To build trust and transparency, we invite DoD stakeholders to engage with us for live demonstrations, pilot programs, or performance metrics. About the Tools: BG Workforce’s tools represent the pinnacle of technologies powering skills-first organizations and digitally enabled technical workforces: Gemini™: Empowers technicians with real-time digital training and point-of-work guidance, reducing errors and accelerating skill development. SMARTS™ : Delivers actionable insights into workforce readiness, enabling data-driven decisions & automated skills tracking to optimize human capital and mission outcomes. Ready for DoD-Wide Deployment With IL4 authorization, Gemini™ and SMARTS™ are poised for immediate deployment to any DoD operation, regardless of service branch or location. Whether supporting stateside maintenance crews or forward-deployed units, these tools deliver secure, scalable, and impactful solutions tailored to the DoD’s needs. About BG Workforce Solutions Headquartered in Lexington, KY, BG Workforce Solutions equips the DoD with innovative training and digital tools to build and sustain a skilled technical workforce. Our products prioritize security, ease of use, and rapid return on investment, making us a trusted partner for mission-critical operations and workforce modernization initiatives. Schedule a demo or request a case study today to explore how Gemini™ and SMARTS™ can transform your workforce.

American Business Development Group (ABDG) is proud to announce its partnership with BG Workforce Solutions, a leader in workforce modernization, digital transformation, and mission-critical personnel development for the National Guard. “We are excited to work with BG Workforce Solutions, whose engineering expertise is globally respected,” said LTC (Ret) Michael Ford, ABDG’s Director of Aviation Training. “Their technologies offer immense benefits, including cost savings, accelerated training, improved proficiency, and enhanced operational efficiency for the National Guard.” ABDG CEO Bill Skipper echoed this sentiment, stating, “The BG Workforce Solutions team is dedicated to equipping Aviation Maintainers with superior products. We are proud to join forces to drive innovation and success within the National Guard.” About BG Workforce Solutions Based in Lexington, Kentucky, BG Workforce Solutions specializes in workforce modernization, immersive AR/VR training, skills management, and career development tools. Their advanced solutions enhance job readiness, optimize onboarding, and support mission-critical operations in defense and government sectors. As part of the High Velocity Talent Continuum (HVTC), they serve the U.S. Military, Federal Government, Allied Military, and Domestic Organic Industrial Bases. About ABDG ABDG is a highly regarded, comprehensive business development consulting firm based in Columbia, SC, with representatives strategically positioned across the United States to adeptly address the diverse needs of our clients. Specializing in the Defense, National Guard, and Homeland Security markets, our team comprises seasoned professionals, including former military personnel with robust proficiency in systems requirements, acquisition, and sustainment. For further details, please explore our website at www.abdg.com. r your new post

BG Workforce Solutions is pleased to announce a new partnership with Second Front Systems, Inc., to meet accreditation, deployment, and managed hosting needs on secure Department of Defense (DoD) and United States Government (USG) networks. 

By: Michelle Gordon The Aviation and Missile Command welcomed a new senior enlisted leader during a change of responsibility held June 14 at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. During a ceremony hosted by AMCOM Commander Maj. Gen. Tom O’Connor, outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Bradford Smith relinquished the unit colors and incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Doss received them. The colors symbolize the unit's lineage and honors, as well as the loyalty and unity of its Soldiers. The command sergeant major is the custodian of the colors. O’Connor said that during Smith’s 33 months as the AMCOM command sergeant major, he was not only a principal advisor to the commander but also a voice for the AMCOM workforce and the Soldiers in the field. Smith was extensively involved in establishing high-velocity training at the depots, capturing the generational knowledge of the artisans and ensuring that knowledge was used to build the bench and train incoming personnel. He visited the depots, labs and maintenance sites to understand the challenges facing AMCOM employees and the warfighters, and he brought those issues back to headquarters to find solutions that would make their jobs easier and ensure the equipment remained ready. “Sergent major went out and recognized people,” O’Connor said. “Not only did he pat them on the back, shake their hands and present them with a coin, but he carried their stories throughout the enterprise. We are in a great debt of gratitude for what he did to bring the message and the issues from the field back to our command so we couild resolve them.” Smith thanked O’Connor for his friendship, mentorship and guidance, as well as his family and friends for their support throughout his career. He said he does what he does because of the warfighters, regardless of their rank, position or command. “What we do matters, not just for the U.S. Army, but for this country, and it’s about the warfighter, and I remember that every day,” Smith said. “I’m a Soldier going out and helping Soldiers. When I talked to someone outside of the aviation and missile branches, my message was, ‘If I can’t help you, I know somebody who can, so give me your problem, and I’ll take it back to the enterprise.’” Smith, a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, leaves AMCOM for the Army Test and Evaluation Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, later this month. There, he will ensure the Army pursues and acquires equipment that is tested, ready and safe to operate. Doss comes to AMCOM from Fort Novosel, Alabama, where he was the garrison command sergeant major. The Birmingham, Alabama native said he looks forward to the opportunity to work with the members of the AMCOM team and empower their success. “Being a leader is not easy,” he said. “We make choices every day that affect the lives of our Soldiers, employees and their families. I will do my best to continue to improve this organization and safeguard our nation.” The Aviation and Missile Command delivers responsive aviation, missile and calibration materiel readiness to the Army to optimize joint warfighter capabilities at the point of need. The command works to overcome the challenges of an ever-changing strategic environment to ensure the Army and the joint force have the best aviation and missile equipment, services and subject-matter expertise available.

By Della Adame, CCAD Public Affairs Specialist Corpus Christi Army Depot, TX -- In a milestone event, a ribbon cutting was held to open the CCAD aviation maintenance instructional center. The center point of aviation maintenance training is now home to the High Velocity Talent Continuum (HVTC) project. Spearheaded by Larry Adams, chief of the workforce development division, and Earl Walters, Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) HVTC program manager, the project will help prepare the depot for changes in mission that will require upskilling or reschooling of the workforce. These efforts will drive the CCAD training division into a modernization effort that takes advantage of educational opportunities to meet training needs on demand and at the point of need. AMCOM’s Command Sergeant Major, Bradford Smith, explained, “There are work packages with experienced artisan input, that can be digitized. We develop an advanced training curriculum, and anybody from college/high school or the workforce can train with it. That's like working right beside them, but you're doing it online or in this HVTC office.” This kind of skill training benefits soldiers and artisans. Soldiers may come to the Depot for training to become more proficient and competent with necessary skills to maintain aircraft at their home bases and units. The groundbreaking event set the standard as no one else in the Army has this. Carlen Chestang, AMCOM G1 Deputy Chief of Staff, elaborated, “The United States Army is experiencing a challenge, that includes skill gaps, workforce shortages, and the disconnect between what's being taught at the academic level and the new technology the depot requires amidst the growing numbers of artisans who are retiring from the workforce.” The high velocity alliance with the Army furthers the ability to capture knowledge from retiring subject matter experts. This development of a pathway for interns and new employees helps bring in their skills as well. Chestang added, “Make sure you get the right people with the right skills and the right skill sets.” Chestang also lauded CCAD leadership and thanked the command team for embracing the HVTC concept, “It’s important, not just for CCAD, this is groundbreaking for the Army, and you should be very proud of that.” Scott Frost, a contractor with the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, manages the industrial workforce development investment portfolio under an initiative called the National Imperative for Industrial Skills. He explained the growing challenge in assessing training, retaining critical skill sets particularly in the trades, across the defense industrial base, the commercial, and private sector, and the organic industrial base. The program is a multi-year initiative was primarily focused on the private side. The program partnered with military departments, within industry and academia, to solve problems that are really growing beyond the risk of industry to solve alone. “The Office of the Secretary of Defense must craft an attack plan against some of these big giant problems like a retiring baby boomer workforce. So that as those new folks are coming out of the HVTC training pipelines we can fill the seats. Even with increased automation, requirements are large,” said Frost. He further explained, “CCAD for instance, could be moving from sheet metal and aluminum to perhaps composites in the future. And those 35 to 40-year artisans that understand sheet metal/aluminum, they understand that business, but do they understand composites?” They are the most important component in the HVTC project wheel, the dedicated patriotic, hardworking artisans. They're the engine and subject matter experts that drive all things HVTC. Their dedication to their trade and the knowledge base that's going out the door when they retire is of the greatest value. Being able to capture that knowledge with the new HVTC tools is so critical. The Commander of the Corpus Christi Army Depot, Colonel Kyle Hogan, emphasized the importance of this new learning concept and how it supports the Army’s four priorities: warfighting, deliver a combat ready force, continuously modernize, and developing the profession.

By Richelle Brown REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — The Aviation and Missile Command is implementing a training initiative aimed at providing developmental and training opportunities, as well as improving the readiness of the Army’s organic industrial base workforce. The High Velocity Training Center, or HVTC, is designed to provide employees with swift skill mastery, adaptability to job changes, and training opportunities at the point of need. The approach aims to create a clear career path for employees, which is attractive for recruiting and retaining the best talent. “This project is for the depots by the depots,” said Tanya Allbritten, AMCOM assistant deputy chief of staff for human resources. “We are enhancing what they already have and allowing the artisans to guide us every step of the way; they are the [subject matter experts] who do the work every day. We are just capturing their processes and knowledge for the next generation of workers.” The HVTC concept is important for AMCOM, the Army and the OIB as the command aims to develop and retain a skilled artisan workforce. Using a blend of classroom instruction, experiential learning and on-the-job training, the program seeks to accelerate the development of talented individuals and build a pipeline of professionals to ensure the sustainability of the OIB. The HVTC serves as an investment in the Army's workforce and for OIB sustainability. “The HVTC not only addresses systemic problems, such as skill gaps and decreasing training downtimes, but it also assists leaders with workforce shortages, retaining retiring subject matter experts’ knowledge and increasing recruitment volume,” said Allbritten. “As we implement this new process, we must consider the benefits of the change and the cost of not changing.” The HVTC was initially developed in 2020 to support AMCOM’s wage-grade workforce. It was created to provide training at the point of need to help increase worker speed to competency. However, as Army OIB modernization efforts began in 2021, the HVTC program became a critical part of AMCOM’s modernization strategy. The program has been successfully implemented at Letterkenny Army Depot and will move to Corpus Christi Army Depot during the third quarter. Working closely with artisans and production experts at LEAD, the HVTC team uploaded the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems into their Gemini+ software platform, identifying more than 200 inspection and service points on the vehicle. The digital version of the HIMARS is providing support for on-the-job training and service support. “Having access to a system that is so user-friendly will assist mechanics from the novice to the journeyman level while allowing new hires to train without touching a truck,” said Justin Hykes, LEAD HIMARS artisan. Another benefit of the HVTC is identifying more effective and efficient processes for the artisans. According to Allbritten, depot artisans currently spend 15-45 minutes logging into the Consolidated Aviation Maintenance Management System, a system of record for depot maintenance job instructions known as CAMMS. Due to multiple logins required per day, artisans may spend more than 40 hours each week logging into the system. Utilizing HVTC capabilities for CAMMS will reduce login time to approximately 30 seconds or less, resulting in nearly $2 million in savings per year for the depots. "This program is not just about training our personnel but developing them as they progress through their careers and being effective and efficient in our processes,” said Allbritten. “This investment will make our workforce more agile, and it aims to attract and retain the best talent for years to come.” This article was sourced from the United States Army. Click here to view the original article.