DAOD 5031-2, Canadian Armed Forces Individual Training and Education System  

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definitions
3. Abbreviations
4. Overview
5. Canadian Armed Forces Individual Training and Education System Strategic Framework and Management
6. Compliance and Consequences
7. Responsibilities
8. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2003-01-31

Date of Last Modification: 2025-12-10

Date of Last Review: 2025-12-10

Application: This DAOD is a directive that applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) who support the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Individual Training and Education (IT&E) System and an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the CAF (CAF members).

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries: Administrative Response Centre (ARC)

2. Definitions

CAF Individual Training and Education System (Système de l'instruction individuelle et de l'éducation des FAC)

A system structured to produce the required quantity of qualified CAF members ready for operational or institutional employment. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 42914)

designated training authority (responsable désigné de la formation)

An officer, appointed by the Chief of Military Personnel, who is responsible and resourced for individual training and education that supports the job requirements defined in assigned occupational and/or specialty specifications. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 43042)

horizon (horizon)

In capability and force development, a planning timeframe.

Note 1: There are three timeframes: Horizon 1 is short term (1-5 years), Horizon 2 is medium term (5-10 years), and Horizon 3 is long term (10-30 years).

Note 2: Horizon needs to be capitalized when it is followed by a number. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 45753)

individual training and education (instruction individuelle et éducation)

A set of activities intended to develop the competencies, skills, knowledge and attitudes a CAF member requires to perform assigned tasks, correctly interpret information and exercise sound judgement. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 42483)

individual training and education functional centre of expertise (centre d'expertise fonctionnel en instruction individuelle et éducation)

A designated organization with individual training and education responsibilities to provide advice on, develop, maintain, and disseminate the authoritative professional body of knowledge within one or more defined areas. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 694378)

learning support centre (centre de soutien à l'apprentissage)

A specialized organization that provides training and education development, consultancy, and support services. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 694095)

Military Employment Structure (Structure des emplois militaires)

The personnel-management framework consisting of military occupations and sub-occupations. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 43140)

Note: The MES includes a listing of jobs and associated work requirements.

other training establishment (autre établissement de formation)

A DND or CAF organization that, in addition to its primary role, is assigned responsibilities to provide CAF qualification training under the administration of either a training authority or designated training authority.

Note: An OTE may not be in the same chain of command of a training authority or designated training authority. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 696304)

personnel generation (production de personnel)

The process of providing individually qualified CAF members to meet CAF employment requirements. It includes strategic planning, attraction, recruiting, selection, retention, professional development, and career management. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 32168)

requirements advisor (conseiller en établissement des besoins)

A commander of a command, occupation advisor or technical authority who is an office of collateral interest for specific military employment structure qualifications. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 694096)

training authority (responsable de la formation)

An officer, appointed by the Chief of Military Personnel, who is responsible and resourced for a broad range of individual training and education activities that supports both the professional competencies defined in the CAF general specifications and the job requirements defined in assigned occupational and/or specialty specifications.

Note: A TA is normally a commander of a command or formation, or a level one advisor. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 43202)

training establishment (établissement de formation)

A CAF unit whose exclusive role is the provision of training and/or education. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 23079)

3. Abbreviations

4. Overview

Context

4.1 The aim of the CAF IT&E System is to produce the required quantity of qualified military personnel for operational and institutional employment.

4.2 The CAF IT&E System is part of the broader Military Personnel Management system of systems, and it integrates across the broader defence enterprise through a strategic framework. The CAF IT&E System itself operates on a cycle that supports the planning, conducting, and reporting of IT&E activities. The CAF IT&E System consists of distinct processes that manage risk as well as resources. At the point of IT&E program delivery, the processes become unified and result in the production of qualified personnel, while also achieving other broader effects.

4.3 The CAF IT&E System supports force generation and personnel readiness by responding to MES requirements. MES specifications define the work military personnel are expected to perform and this provides the justification for CAF IT&E programs. The demand for IT&E programs in the Horizon 1 (1-5 years) timeframe is determined annually through coordinated production planning processes which establish throughput, timeframe, and the location where IT&E programs are provided. The CAF IT&E System is responsive to the CAF’s near-term operational imperatives, best practices, lessons learned and strategic guidance.

4.4 In addition to the direct linkages with the MES and production planning, the CAF IT&E System is aligned with other broader elements of personnel generation as well as the pay and personnel records systems which also support the Military Personnel Management functional area. Through a strategic framework, the CAF IT&E System also maintains the foresight essential to plan across the future time horizons and support capability change. A proposed capability change has the potential to transform how military personnel are employed and this has a direct effect on the related steady-state IT&E programs. The changes may include the need to acquire new training aids and devices in addition to considering modifications to infrastructure and other support arrangements as well as the possibility to explore alternative IT&E delivery options. To ensure the necessary resources are allocated to address the future IT&E needs, the scope of each capability change must be conceived early in the process, especially when this involves the approval of a major capital acquisition project.

4.5 As members of the PoA, all CAF members are developed through the conceptual CAFPD framework pillars of:

1. education;
2. training;
3. employment experience; and
4. self-development.

4.6 The CAF IT&E System is one of the subsystems of the CAFPDS. The education and training pillars of the CAFPD framework are primarily operationalized through CAF IT&E System programs derived from MES specification requirements.

Note – The CAFPDS is described in DAOD 5031-8, Canadian Armed Forces Professional Development.

Types of IT&E Programs

4.7 IT&E programs comprise all the activities that provide the individual skills, knowledge and attitudes required by CAF members to meet enduring employment requirements and military personnel readiness. IT&E programs prepare CAF members to participate in collective training and achieve success in operations.

4.8 The starting point for determining the need for an IT&E program is the performance requirements or competencies described in a MES specification. IT&E may also be derived from GC or DND/CAF direction. The diverse backgrounds and needs of the intended audience will be considered during the design of the instruction. Enduring GC or DND/CAF mandated IT&E requirements shall be captured within a MES specification.

Note – Details on prior learning assessment and recognition are set out in DAOD 5031-1, Canadian Armed Forces Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience.

4.9 The following table identifies the main types of IT&E programs:

CAF IT&E System Effects

4.10 IT&E is conducted to achieve the following effects:

1. development of CAF members with the required qualifications at the right time;
2. production of the right number of qualified personnel in support of operational and institutional requirements; and
3. support to the PoA through the development of CAF members’ character and professional competencies.

CAF IT&E System Operating Principles

4.11 All IT&E activities are to be managed in accordance with CAF IT&E System doctrine, which is grounded in the following five principles:

1. Performance Orientation;
2. Systems Thinking;
3. Systematic Process;
4. Optimum Efficiency; and
5. Continuous Improvement.

4.12 These principles support the aim of the CAF IT&E System and guide actions of CAF members. The effectiveness of the CAF IT&E System, and potentially the entire personnel generation process, is compromised when there is a contradiction in direction and the principles listed above. CAF members working in the IT&E System must also be guided by the CAF Ethos, including its ethical principles, military values, and professional expectations.

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5. Canadian Armed Forces Individual Training and Education System Strategic Framework and Management

CAF IT&E System Strategic Framework

5.1 The CAF IT&E System - Strategic Framework is central to operationalizing the CAF IT&E System and achieving effectiveness. While the CAF IT&E System is focused on the near-term operational priorities, the strategic framework provides foresight and concentrates on the coordination, synchronization, and integration of activities across the DND/CAF, especially over the longer term.

5.2 In the CAF IT&E System - Strategic Framework stakeholders are identified and, where appropriate, contribute to governance forums ensuring the effectiveness of the CAF IT&E System. The stakeholders include positions supporting the Military Personnel Management functional area as well as positions that ensure the alignment of force development through to personnel readiness and force employment.

CAF IT&E System Governance

5.3 IT&E is a functional area within Military Personnel Management. DGPD Strat, as the appointed CAF IT&E System lead, executes the assigned IT&E functional area responsibilities on behalf of CMP. Through governance, DGPD Strat works jointly with appointed TAs and DTAs to ensure a system is in place to achieve functional alignment and required effects. The CAF IT&E System consists of the essential management structures and processes to guide action as well as the enabling applications to achieve integration. The CAF IT&E System is an institutional capability. The collaborative work to conceive, design, build and manage the CAF IT&E System is addressed across the following domains supporting the IT&E functional area:

1. strategic direction;
2. governance structures and engagement;
3. policy, including the production of IT&E Instructions;
4. doctrine, including IT&E terminology;
5. accountability and reporting, including the IT&E PMF;
6. digital framework and the common enterprise systems and applications; and
7. R&D and foresight.

5.4 CAF IT&E System governance is exercised through the PDC and the SCIT&E. The PDC is a CAF advisory and consultative body, providing strategic guidance and oversight of CAF PD thereby perpetuating stewardship of the PoA. The SCIT&E is the primary forum to create and maintain key deliverables related to the domains supporting the IT&E functional area. Representatives for each TA and DTA are members of the SCIT&E.

5.5 To maintain a coordinated approach across the Military Personnel Management functional area, CAF IT&E System strategy, policy, and change initiatives may require synchronization, alignment, coordination, and staffing through the applicable CMP governance bodies.

5.6 The DGPD Strat as the CAF IT&E System lead is assigned the following functional authority responsibilities:

1. chairing of the PDC and SCIT&E governance bodies;
2. issuing and maintaining IT&E Instructions. This responsibility may not be further assigned or delegated;
3. issuing and maintaining IT&E keystone and supporting doctrine;
4. overseeing the implementation of IT&E System strategies;
5. maintaining the IT&E PMF;
6. managing the IT&E enterprise systems and applications aligned to a digital framework; and
7. establishing priorities for IT&E R&D activities in applied learning sciences and system management.

5.7 TAs and DTAs are appointed by the CMP through application to the SCIT&E. A TA and DTA are responsible for:

1. providing IT&E programs for assigned MES qualifications, consulting with RAs when applicable, and coordinating with necessary points of contact for foreign military – out-service training and postgraduate qualifications;
2. implementing within their organization an IT&E system consistent with current doctrine, policies, and instructions, and consistent with applicable Canadian law and GC commitments;
3. liaising with applicable OA representatives and DPGR, as required, to coordinate MES specification updates and administer MES change requests, as well as ensuring annual amendments to the MOLs for PIRA and the NCMSTEP are completed in accordance with prescribed timelines;
4. using the enterprise systems and applications that have been adopted for use in the CAF IT&E System, as specified in IT&E Instructions;
5. as required, arranging for the provision of IT&E services from another L1. IT&E services external to a TA or DTA are formalized by way of an SLA; and
6. ensuring IT&E programs are planned and provided to CAF members in the OL of their choice.

CAF IT&E System Management and Administration

5.8 All IT&E programs are developed, implemented, and managed by TAs and DTAs through the processes and procedures outlined in IT&E doctrine and policies. CAF IT&E System activities may be assigned by a TA or DTA to CAF organizations such as TEs, OTEs, learning support centres, or IT&E FCoEs. In-service programs supported by these organizations shall maintain applicable IT&E control documents in both OLs.

5.9 Using the applicable CAF IT&E enterprise application, each TA and DTA shall ensure at least one unique six-digit Course ID is assigned to a four-letter MES employment qualification code. The Course ID is reflective of the different strategies which may be used to satisfy requirements detailed in the MES specification. The Course ID and associated data will be used, as applicable, to support management activities including enabling readiness verification processes, departmental reporting, analytics and for continuous improvement. The unique Course ID is also used to update the training history in each individual CAF member’s military personnel record.

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6. Compliance and Consequences

Compliance

6.1 DND employees and CAF members must comply with this DAOD. Should clarification of the policies or instructions set out in this DAOD be required, DND employees and CAF members may seek direction through their channel of communication or chain of command, as appropriate. Managers and military supervisors have the primary responsibility for and means of ensuring the compliance of their DND employees and CAF members with this DAOD.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

6.2 DND employees and CAF members are accountable to their respective managers and military supervisors for any failure to comply with the direction set out in this DAOD. Non-compliance with this DAOD may result in administrative action, including the imposition of disciplinary measures, for a DND employee, and administrative or disciplinary action, or both, for a CAF member. Non-compliance may also result in the imposition of liability on the part of His Majesty in right of Canada, DND employees and CAF members.

Note – In respect of the compliance of DND employees, see the Treasury Board Framework for the Management of Compliance for additional information.

7. Responsibilities

Responsibilities Table

7.1 The following table identifies the responsibilities associated with this DAOD:

8. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• Accessible Canada Act
• Canadian Human Rights Act
• Employment Equity Act
• Official Languages Act
• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
• Framework for the Management of Compliance, Treasury Board
• DAOD 1000-7, Policy Framework for Military Personnel Management
• DAOD 5031-0, Learning and Professional Development

Other References

• DAOD 5002-0, Military Personnel Requirements and Production
• DAOD 5009-0, Personnel Readiness
• DAOD 5031-1, Canadian Armed Forces Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience
• DAOD 5031-8, Canadian Armed Forces Professional Development
• DAOD 5039-4, Translation – Producing and Procuring Documents in Both Official Languages
• DAOD 5039-6, CAF Training & Education in both official languages
• DAOD 5050-0, Canadian Armed Forces Personnel Record
• DAOD 5070-0, Military Employment Structure
• DAOD 5070-1, Military Employment Structure Framework
• DAOD 5516-5, Learning Disability Accommodation during Recruiting, Training and Education
• CAF Mil Pers Instr 01/08, Annual Military Occupation Review
• IT&E Instructions
• A-P9 Series, Manuals of Individual Training and Education
• A-PD-055-001/AG-001, CF Manual of Military Occupational Structure
• B-GJ-005-000/FP-001, CFJP 01, Canadian Military Doctrine
• B-GL-005-100/FP-001, CFJP 1.0, Military Personnel Management Doctrine
• A-PA-005-000/AP-138, Canadian Armed Forces Ethos - Trusted to Serve
• A-PA-005-000/AP-139, Fighting Spirit: The Profession of Arms in Canada
• CDS Designated Release Authorities - Regular Force
• CDS Designated Release Authorities - Reserve Force
• Director Personnel Generation Requirements website
• Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan 2022 - Women and Gender Equality Canada
• Integration of Gender-based Analysis Plus into instructional design

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