What PaCE training do I need?
February 18, 2022 - Defence Stories
As we head into the chillier months of the year, slowly migrating indoors to warm drinks and reading material, it is time to grab a coffee and open up Defence Team Learning (DLN) to complete your Performance and Competency Evaluation (PaCE) system training.
The acronym “PaCE” should no longer be foreign across our Defence Team (DT) community – we are working our way toward full implementation of the new performance appraisal system for fiscal year 2022-2023, where steps along that path include preparation and training that most should be either wrapping up or conducting right now. The question is, are you in step with PaCE?
Step one is simple: Identify which PaCE training (in the form of DLN courses) are applicable to your current position. If you are a CAF member, or a civilian, or a Foreign Service supervisor of a CAF member, you must get on board with PaCE, which means that the training applies to you. In order to understand the requisite training for your position, you must first confirm which courses you need to take. Let’s take a moment to break down the five PaCE courses locatable on DLN to ensure that you are empowered with the knowledge you require.
There are five PaCE instructional courses designed to prepare you for your specific role within the PaCE system. Depending on your role and responsibilities, you will be required to complete as a minimum the first course, and potentially one or more of the remaining four. The PaCE Common Introduction course is mandatory for all CAF members, as well as their non-CAF supervisors. Fun fact – the mandatory Common Introduction course provides information about the interaction of subordinates and supervisors in the PaCE system, which helps further clarify whom requires which additional DLN training. Take-away? Start with this first course, and the system and its intent will become clearer.
Understanding that the Common Introduction is the foundation of PaCE system understanding for all CAF members and their supervisors, here’s a closer look at all five courses:
PaCE Common Introduction to Performance and Competency Evaluation: Modules covered in this course include the description of the PaCE system, the Job Description (JD), Member Aspiration Profile (MAP), Feedback and Feedback Notes (FN), and the Performance Appraisal Report (PAR).
- Who? All CAF personnel and supervisors of CAF personnel including public service employees and foreign military.
PaCE Supervisor: Modules covered in this course include administering a Job Description (JD), processing the Member Aspiration Profile (MAP), providing feedback using Feedback Notes (FN), administering a Performance Appraisal Report (PAR), information on the Unit Potential Board, and performing the duties of the Debriefing Authority.
- Who? All supervisors of CAF personnel including public service employees and foreign military.
PaCE Intermediary Reviewer and Reviewing Officer: Modules covered in this course include performing the duties of the Intermediary & Reviewing Officers, participating in potential appraisal, and receiving an Informal Resolution request.
- Who? Anyone who will perform the duties of an Intermediary or Reviewing Officer.
PaCE Higher Level Review Ranking (HLRR): This course includes information on performing the HLRR duties.
- Who? Personnel participating in HLRR boards.
PaCE Manager: Modules covered in this course include defining the PaCE Manager roles, executing PaCE Manager duties, executing the PAR Monitor (PARMON) duties, executing the HLRR Manager duties, and using metrics.
- Who? Personnel managing the PaCE system for the unit. It is usually assigned to the CO/DCO/XO/Admin O/Adjt/Snr HRA. Each unit must have a minimum of three (3) PaCE Managers.
Remember, when in doubt, ask your Chain of Command. This adage applies to the PaCE system and its training too. PaCE is the accumulation of over a decade of development, leveraging wide academic research, years of focused studies by Defence Scientists, and the input of thousands of CAF members of all elements and rank levels from Corporal/Sailor 1st Class to Major-General/Rear-Admiral. In alignment with private and public industry best practices, it will modernize the way we do business. Now is the time to learn more precisely what it’s all about, and how to play our part. Waste no further time and ensure that you are keeping in step with PaCE!
For more information about PaCE, visit the external site (ask your chain of command for the login password), or the internal site (accessible only on the National Defence network).