An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir April 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 22 | by CAPT EOIN MCGEENEY & SGT GARY CONDREN, OFFICE OF THE DEFENCE FORCES REGISTRAR, J7 TRAINING & EDUCATION BRANCH, DFHQ T he Leadership Management and Defence Studies (LMDS) Programme began in September 2012. Since then almost 600 members of the PDF have achieved an accredited award within the programme, and there continues to be impressive uptake by personnel. While for many it is chal- lenging to transition from military to academic learning, it is possible, as conferees can testify. To ease your transition, this short guide is intended to assist your entry and navigation of your learning journey within the programme. beginning with Orders below you can identify your programme entry and engagement requirements to achieve your mission. Situation: The LMDS programme went live in September 2012. IT Carlow entered into collaboration with the DF for the purpose of vali- dating Army and Air Corps courses for enlisted ranks. To date almost 600 personnel have attained one of the three levels of awards available. Mission: To enter the LMDS programme, engage effectively with each of the requisite modules and create a pathway to an award. execution: The programme may be accessed in two different ways, dependent on whether the learner joined the DF post or prior to September 2012. Concept of Ops: Learners who have undertaken 3* training post-September 2012 voluntarily join the programme on the completion of 3* training. It is mandatory to submit a WBLP (Work Based Learning Portfolio, see below) when reporting for Poten- tial NCO, MP Probationer or ARW courses. Failure to do so excludes students from completing the LMDS programme. This means that for NCO/MP learners, completion of the WBLP (to include the four mandatory elements) + 20 credits from electives + pass the career course will lead to a Level 6 certificate LMDS. (Note: Completion of Level 6 bridges ac- cess to Level 7 using the RPL.) Pre-September 2012 personnel require voluntary completion of the RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning, see below) docu- ment submitted to the training institute on commence- ment of your relevant career course; Potential NCO, MP Probationers, ARW, AASC, LOGs MOD2, or Senior NCO course. Those entering via PNCO/MP/ARW courses must also attain 20 ECTS of the elective modules prior to conferral. Completing an RPL + 20 credits from electives + pass the career course will lead to a Level 6 certificate LMDS. AASC learners who complete an RPL + pass a corps standard course + complete an AASC course will receive a Level 7 Minor Award LMDS. Senior NCO course learner who complete an RPL + pass the Se- nior NCO course + complete a dissertation will receive a Level 7 Bachelor of Arts LMDS. Logs Accountancy course learners who complete an RPL + complete Logs Accountancy course Modules 1 & 2 + complete a dissertation/research project will be awarded a Level 7 Bach- elor of Arts LMDS (logistics). Service Support: Unit focal points: Key personnel in all DF units who have been briefed on the LMDS. Unit Training Officer: Validation of task completion. DF training institutes: Co-ordination and assessment of RPLs and WBLPs. DF Registrars office, J7-DFHQ: Provides support, expertise and guidance throughout the LMDS process. Conferred students: Peer support and guidance. Command & Signals: DF training institutes conduct and administrate the accredited courses. IT Carlow accredits learning and issues respective awards. The DF Registrars office provides a quality assurance (QA) and programme management function. OrderS

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