An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November / December 2023 www.military.ie/magazine 20 | T he delivery of training and education is one of the most essential roles undertaken by the Defence Forces. A robust and relevant professional military education is vital to developing a broad spectrum of national military capabilities. These capabilities allow the Irish government to project military power in response to security or national disaster crises in domestic and international settings, supporting government security and foreign policy objectives. The military is a unique profession, and its education processes are very different from other models of higher education. Unlike other professions, the DF cannot hire junior leaders or middle managers such as Company Sergeants or Company Commanders. Specialists such as engine room artificers, military communications experts, or military engineers cannot be recruited externally; they must be trained and educated internally. The broad and varied capability requirements of the DF contributes to the challenge of providing military education. The Defence Forces Registrar's Office manages several military-academic programmes that aim to build military capability. This article will examine the education opportunities available in the DF, based on collaborations with external Universities. THE TRAINEE TECHNICIAN SCHEME BY CAPT PAUL FARRELL In the wake of the Army Apprentice School closure in 1998, the Trainee Technician Scheme (TTS) was established in 2002 in response to identified deficiencies and the need to restore technician levels. The Office of the Defence Forces Registrar manages the TT scheme on behalf of the Director of Training and Education (DJ7). Working in collaboration with technical Corps Directorates, the TTS has evolved into a vital component of the DF. General Information 255 students are currently enrolled in the TTS, spanning diverse courses across the various Corps. The year 2023 witnessed the successful qualification of 67 students from different streams of the TTS as listed below: Future Developments and Capability Delivery In 2024 the DF anticipates graduations in line with the numbers achieved in 2023. This consistency indicates the program's stability and effectiveness in meeting the needs of the various Corps. The Commission on the Defence Forces recommends the establishment of a National Defence Academy and an Apprentice School to bolster a future tech- enabled force. Since the closure of the Apprentice School, the Defence Forces have forged excellent collaborations with entities such as SOLAS (formerly FÁS) and SETU Carlow. Such partnerships have played a pivotal role in training and educating our technicians and continue to provide them with essential skill sets required by the DF. The Army Trainee Technician Scheme is a testament to the Defence Forces' commitment to maintaining a skilled and adaptable workforce. Collaboration remains key as the DF navigates future developments, including the potential establishment of an Apprentice School. LEADERSHIP MANAGEMENT AND DEFENCE STUDIES PROGRAMME – COLLABORATION WITH SETU BY CAPT GRAINNE KENNEALLY A significant achievement in the DF has been the growth of our collaborative educational relationship with the South East Technological University (SETU), formerly IT Carlow, which commenced in September 2012 and has gone from strength to strength since. The Leadership, Management and Defence Studies (LMDS) Programme, developed to meet the needs of Enlisted Personnel, is the most extensive academic programme in the DF and rewards lifelong learning of enlisted personnel by providing academic validation for military training and education through its alignment with the National Framework of Qualifications (see image). Accreditation increases the academic and professional standing of the DF and contributes to our organisational learning, professional knowledge and expertise. Enlisted personnel are provided with the opportunity to register on the LMDS programme during Three Star training. Throughout their DF career, enlisted personnel are supported through the DF 'life-long learning concept' to acquire academic credits based on the training and education courses they complete. Acknowledging the unique professional THE DEFENCE FORCES REGISTRAR'S OFFICE MANAGING THE EDUCATION OF THE FORCES BY LT COL COLIN LAWLOR PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON DF FLICKR (FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS/DFMAGAZINE/ALBUMS) • Heavy Vehicle Mechanic - 9 • Printing Press Technician - 4 • Air-Con and Refrigeration - 1 • Construction Plant Fitter - 1 • Weapon System Mechanical Technician - 6 • Armour Artificer Instrumentation - 13 • Carpentry - 8 • Plumbing - 3 • CIS Technician - 11 • Vehicle Body Repair - 2 • Electrician - 9 The 2023 SETU Conferring Ceremony held in the Barrow Centre, SETU Carlow Campus

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