Military Personal Generation Group’s Learning in the Workplace Initiative: A Success Story

May 6, 2024 - Defence Stories

Authors: Avr Jesso and Pte Sidhu, First HRA and FSA qualified with Learning in the Workplace

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Taken with her Coach, MCpl Doyle on the right, and Supervisor, PO2 Hinkley on the left, Avr Jesso received her posting message and reached Occupational Functional Point (OFP). As one of the first people to successfully complete the “Learning in the Workplace” pilot project, her experience was positive to get her into the CAF and prompted co-authoring this article.

Last year, Military Personal Generation Group (MPGG), implemented an initiative called “Learning in the Workplace”, which allows CAF members to learn how to perform their job while in a working environment. This pilot project is a trial with two occupations: Human Resources Administrators (HRA) and Financial Service Administrators (FSA). It also brings members into a unit right after Base Military Qualification (BMQ) to facilitate the integration of new members in the CAF.

The participants learned the tasks of HRA and FSA in occupation at CFB Halifax and CFB Edmonton. The task performance was supported by a team, which included a coach, supervisor, and Trainer-on-Demand from Canadian Forces Logistic Training Center (CFLTC). In addition to this team, participants have access to learning aids (job aids and micro-learning) via DLN or SharePoint. They can read step-by-step processes and watch training videos to ensure quality in accomplishing tasks.

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MWO Brake on the left and Major Henwood on the right, in the middle is Pte Sidhu who received his posting message and reached Occupational Functional Point (OFP). As one of the first people to successfully complete the “Learning in the Workplace” pilot project, his experience was positive to get him into the CAF and prompted co-authoring this article.

The advantages of “Learning in the Workplace” are the immediate integration into a new unit, availability to gain an abundance of knowledge, shorter time away from family, and the chance for a base to fill the employee shortages. Not only does the project allow participants to stay up to date with the latest information for their occupation, but it allows them to work on relevant tasks while also learning on the go!

“Being in the working environment immediately and surrounded by such knowledgeable members was such an amazing opportunity to truly thrive in these trades. As we have now become Occupational Function Point (OFP) in our trades, we believe this pilot program has given us much more knowledge and experience than our Trade Courses could have done,” said Avr Jesso and Pte Sidhu. CAF members who have recently done their Trade Course in Borden, Ontario, have expressed how much better they have been set up as HRA and FSA to thrive and be successful.

CAF members must adapt and conquer as they enter a new era of occupational learning and growth. New members have diverse needs; they want to be with their families and gain experience their occupational job as soon as possible.

“Being on the waiting platoon and away from our families longer was not a burden we experienced as participants of the pilot project. With our integration into Learning in the workplace, we were able to stay with our families, enjoy our workplace immediately after BMQ, and had a wonderful experience to convince us to stay in the CAF,” said Avr Jesso and Pte Sidhu.  

Reflecting on their experience, Avr Jesso and Pte Sidhu both agreed that Learning in the Workplace is a beneficial pilot project and will contribute to shaping a strong CAF member in their specified trade.