An Cosantóir

| 21 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE SOUTH EAST TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY The Defence Forces and South East Technological University (SETU), formally IT Carlow, have co-delivered the LMDS programme for enlisted personnel since 2012. With over 2,000 graduates to date, this programme rewards lifelong learning throughout the lifetime of a career in the Defence Forces. Implicitly, the programme also acknowledges the concept of life wide learning, understood as learning that occurs in different contexts outside of the classroom . This experiential learning may occur while on training exercises, on ceremonial duties, while deployed on operations at home or overseas, or while going about day-to-day work activities. Recognising that learning occurs in many different contexts opens up opportunities for systematic reflection and personal development through the completion of Work Based Learning and Recognition of Prior Learning Portfolios. The pre-2012 Recognition of Prior Learning Programme, now in its fourth year, continues to go from strength to strength with 17 retired and serving personnel graduating from the programme in 2024. The Defence Forces and SETU designed this programme for personnel who did not have the opportunity to participate in the LMDS programme as they completed their career courses pre-2012. On 01 November 2024, 211 Defence Forces personnel graduated with various academic awards: • Master of Engineering in Ordnance, Munitions, and Explosives Engineering • Master of Science in Communications Technology Management • Master of Military Engineering Management • Bachelor of Arts in Leadership, Management, and Defence Studies (Logistics) • Bachelor of Arts in Leadership, Management, and Defence Studies (Personnel) • Level 7 Minor Award in Leadership, Management, and Defence Studies • Level 6 Higher Certificate Leadership, Management, and Defence Studies • Certificate in Software Defined Communications Systems • Certificate in Sustainable Supply Chains Addressing the graduates and their families, Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, noted that: "Since becoming President of SETU, I have spoken on a number of occasions about the value of our Defence Forces and the responsibilities you carry on behalf of the Irish state. In recent months, I, like many others, have watched events continue to unfold in the Middle East. The bravery of our Defence Forces has been admirable and the valuable work you do has been brought into focus. It is SETU's huge privilege to support the educational achievements of the members of the Defence Forces in the certainty that the ongoing upskilling and development of its members is crucial in creating and maintaining stability both nationally and globally." TECHNICAL TRAINING As the biggest public sector provider of technical training, the Defence Forces offers a wide range of technical education options and models, delivered in partnerships with SOLAS and higher education institutions, such as MTU, TUD and SETU. The Defence Forces currently has 309 personnel in full-time technical training. There are many options for technical training in the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service including: • Carpentry and Joinery • Construction Plant Fitting • Cybersecurity • Electrical • Heavy Vehicle Mechanics • Plumbing • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning • Trainee Military Aircraft Systems Technician (TMAST) • Armourer Artificer Instrumentation (WSET) Defence Forces Technical Training has always aimed to produce highly skilled technicians and craft personnel so that the Defence Forces can operate effectively on Land, at Sea and in the Air domains. On 30th October 2024, 20 Defence Forces Technicians graduated from SETU. Four (4) Ordnance personnel graduated with a BEng in Mechanical Engineering, three (3) Ordnance personnel graduated with a BEng in Electronic Engineering, and 13 CIS personnel graduated with a BEng in Electronic Engineering. An example of the high standard of military technician produced by the Defence Forces Technical Training system is Pte Stephen Cooper. Pte Cooper's final year project as a CIS Trainee Technician and student on SETU's Bachelor of Engineering in Electronic Engineering and Military Communication Systems, received two awards at the Global Undergraduate Awards 2024 (GUA) at a summit in Dublin from 10th to 13th November. Pte Cooper was the overall winner in Ireland across all engineering disciplines. His project is also ranked in the Top 10% of engineering projects worldwide. Pte Cooper received the GUA Highly Commended Award having competed amongst a global cohort of students. He was also awarded the Ireland Regional winner for having the top performing submission in the Engineering category for his entry, "LIDAR Smart-Chair Navigator". Congratulations to Pte Cooper on his exceptional performance during his studies. It is important to acknowledge the support and encouragement provided by the instructors at the CIS School, Comdt James O'Neill and Sergeant Keith Houlihan, and the Engineering Department lecturers at SETU, especially Dr Donnacha Lowney and Keith Smyth. CONCLUSION The adage that we "train for certainty but educate for uncertainty" remains as relevant today as ever. The Defence Forces acknowledges that military personnel at every level need the skills to perform their roles and the formal military education to solve problems in today's complex security environment. Training and education have an important role to play in building a joint, agile, and fit-for-purpose future Defence Forces. By investing in the development and education of its personnel, and focusing training on mastering the profession of arms, the Defence Forces ensures that it remains effective and resilient in the face of evolving threats and organisational challenges into the future. • Armourer (WSMT) • Communications Information Systems • Printing - Pre Press • Printing - Post Press • Print • Engine Room Artificers • Electrical Artificers • Radio Radar Technician • Hull Artificer 20 members of the 6th Joint Command and Staff Course graduated with a Level 9 Masters in Leadership, Management and Defence Studies RSM Colum Slattery (Retd) Graduated through the RPL Programme. Pictured here with his son Capt Dean Slattery, Staff Officer in the DF Registrar's Office

• Cover