What They Do
The Canadian Forces’ (CF) most valuable resource is its trained personnel. A significant portion of the annual Defence budget is devoted to training and educating CF members. Training Development Officers (TDOs) serve as specialists in military training, education and professional development activities. The Training Development Branch was created in 1980 in order to provide uniformed specialist support to the Canadian Forces Individual Training and Education System (CFITES), a management system used to ensure the effectiveness, efficiency and economy of training and education.
The Training Development Officer’s role is to act as a catalyst or ‘change agent’ in order to bring about improvements in individual and collective operational performance. TDOs promote, guide, coordinate and advise on the application of a systems approach to training and education. They analyse operational job performance requirements, identify needs, suggest solutions to performance problems and implement them.
TDOs are employed at School, Unit, Base, Command, and National Defence Headquarters levels to optimize the effectiveness of training and education with a minimum expenditure of time, money and personnel. Training Development Officers are responsible for managing and providing training, conducting human performance research and development, ensuring quality and quantity control, teaching in a variety of school settings, and managing learning resources. The skill sets required of a TDO include extensive knowledge of adult learning psychology, human performance requirements, needs analysis, cost-benefit analysis, business case development, task analysis, and the design, management, evaluation and validation of training and education. The ability to provide professional, unbiased judgement based on analysis and fundamental principles of human performance development is a cornerstone of this occupation.
Qualification Requirements
You must meet Canadian Forces medical standards and successfully complete a selection process that includes interviews and a wide range of examinations.
The preferred degree for those wishing to enter the CF directly as a TDO is a Master’s degree in Education specializing in educational or instructional technology. Master’s level direct entry candidates must also possess proven leadership qualities and three years of full-time experience as an educational/training consultant. Direct entry candidates with no previous military experience who possess an undergraduate degree in Education may be accepted if they also possess proven leadership qualities and five years of full-time experience as an educational/training consultant. However, direct entry candidates without a Master’s degree in Education and without previous military experience will normally only be considered in exceptional cases or when the TDO Branch has an urgent need for personnel. Direct entry candidates with prior military service and an undergraduate degree, e.g. Education, Engineering or Sciences, may be accepted if they also possess proven leadership qualities and four years of service (or equivalent for reservists) as a trained officer or non-commissioned member.
Initial Employment
On completion of your basic occupational training, you will be employed as a training and education advisor. Typical jobs include instructional duties, monitoring instruction, supervising instructional staff, and ensuring effective course management. You may also serve as an Officerin- Charge of a training platoon or section and you may perform School Standards Officer duties that include analysing specifications, producing qualification standards, and directing the production of training plans and associated training materials. As your career progresses, you may qualify for a position as a training and education manager or staff officer at a Command or national headquarters level. All Officers are expected to maintain a regular professional reading program at work and on their own time, and are encouraged to participate in civilian professional associations. Furthermore, all Officers are required to complete the Officer Professional Military Education (OPME) Program or equivalent.
Specialty Training
After a successful first tour of duty (2 to 4 years), you will be eligible to compete for the Post Graduate Training Program. This program consists of one or two years of out-service training at a Canadian university. TDOs with advanced degrees and extensive experience may be employed in the design and conduct of specialty courses for Training Development Officers. You may also act as a Staff Officer at a Command or national headquarters level, in training research and development.
Working Environment
Your duties will normally require minimal sustained physical effort, but moderate to extreme fatigue may occur. You may be exposed to the hazards and hardships of any environment when required to advise on the solution to a training problem that requires first-hand observation of the task being performed under operational conditions.
Appropriate training, environmental clothing and equipment are provided, and Training Development Officers’ health, safety and morale are closely monitored.
Phase I: Initial Assessment and Basic Officer Training Course
Initial Assessment and the Basic Officer Training Course (BOTC) are conducted at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. The Initial Assessment Period will introduce you to life in the CF. During BOTC, you will learn the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the service, basic weaponshandling, and first aid. You will also take part in a rigorous program of sports and fitness training. Successful completion is a prerequisite for further training. Upon completion of BOTC, you will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant/ Acting Sub-Lieutenant. Second language training will be provided to officers who are not already proficient in both official languages. The length of training is based upon an individual’s second language proficiency.
Phase II: Basic Occupational Qualification
The Training Development Officer’s Basic Occupational Qualification training is conducted at CFB Borden, Ont. This eight-month course is conducted in two phases. The first phase (5 months) gives the candidate an in-depth perspective of the Canadian Forces Individual Training and Education System and the Systems Approach to Training. The second phase (3 months) is conducted in various locations across Canada. During this phase, candidates use the knowledge and skills acquired during the formal course to solve real training and educational problems in the field. Successful completion of this course qualifies the candidate as a Training Development Officer.
