Quality of Life – Quality of Service: Improvements to the Continuing Education Officer Training Plan (CEOTP) under Op Experience

Magazine Article / November 21, 2019

The RCAF remains committed to mentoring, supporting, and assisting CEOTP officers in fulfilling their requirement to attain a baccalaureate degree. The feedback received in a 2018 survey of all RCAF CEOTP officers has led to several improvements to the program, as follows:

Some limitations were previously applied to CEOTP officers in the choice of degree they would complete, which were inconsistent with other entry standards expected for their occupation. The acceptable CEOTP degrees for RCAF occupations are now aligned with those used for Direct Entry Officer (DEO) and Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP). This should provide CEOTP personnel with more choice in completing a degree they are motivated to study or which may be most quickly completed.

CEOTP officers are expected to complete their degree prior to the completion of their VIE. The RCAF recognizes that the priority of attention applied to occupation training and early career employment can make that expectation difficult, especially depending on an individual’s level of academic standing at enrolment. Therefore, RCAF CEOTP officers who are in all other terms eligible for Terms of Service Extensions beyond VIE, but who need more time to complete their degree, will be offered a four-year Continuing Engagement. The commitment to a longer period should better enable employment stability and time to complete required studies. CEOTP officers should also be aware that promotion to the rank of Major continues to be contingent on the completion of an Administrative Review to reconfirm plans to ensure degree completion.

CEOTP education is recognized as a shared organization/individual responsibility and will now be prioritized and managed as such. CEOTP officers will remain responsible for completing the initial payment for their education courses; however, claims for reimbursement can now be submitted once the course registration has been completed, rather than after course completion. The aim of this measure is to reduce the impact on individuals having to pay for their education costs upfront. The Individual Learning Plan (ILP) program and course approval remain unchanged, but as an interim measure to process claims before course completion, individuals are directed to set their course duration time to two days. CEOTP officers also need to remain aware that course cost reimbursement remains subject to successful course completion. In instances where courses are not completed or not completed successfully, the member is required to advise their CEOTP program coordinator and determine the appropriate option for repaying course costs. This also may require personnel to communicate course requirements closely with their supervisors to ensure that supervisors understand how unanticipated operational tasks may prevent a member from completing a course and may need to be paid by the unit.

Improvements to this training plan apply to any CEOTP officer who belongs to an RCAF-managed occupation (i.e. PLT, ACSO, AEC, AERE, CE, and CELE).

All CEOTP officers should be aware of the annual IBDP program. The IBDP supports select officers with full-time academic studies to complete their degree. These officers must be able to complete their studies in no more than a 16-month period (4 semesters), either attending in-person university studies or through distance-learning (DL). The number of personnel supported across the CAF is approximately 16 personnel. CEOTP officers are the priority candidates for this program, so those needing dedicated time to achieve their degree requirements should discuss with their supervisor and career manager when this program can best fit in their employment/career planning.

RCAF coordination with the RMC Continuing Education department has resulted in the creation of a BMASc degree with courses that focus on Air Power (see the RMC link). This program is intended to recognize some credits that may be earned with the completion of different types of aircrew training. The 30-credit program is structured to be completed in two years of full-time study or longer combining DL and residential courses.