EME OFFICER TRAINING
Similar to NCM training, EME Officer training is also undergoing significant changes at the DP 1 level. A Qualification Standard Writing Board (QSWB) was held in December 2009, followed by a Training Plan Writing Board (TPWB) in February 2010, and the changes that resulted from both of those are causing a shift in the approach and delivery of EME Officer training. A training development team has been formed to implement the required changes to the former Phase III and Phase IV courses. Although not the most significant, the most noticeable change is certainly the decrease in duration of the combined course. Whereas the old Phase III and Phase IV courses were a combined 120 days, the new DP 1.1 and DP 1.2, as they are now called, are a combined 85 days.
The shortened course length has two main effects: all training can occur in the summer and is thus more accessible to the Reserve Force; and all students may be able to undergo OJE, a previously rare occurrence. The removal of AJOSQ training (ATEC and AORG, currently online courses), and other embedded courses such as the Civilian Management course, General Safety Officer course and WHMIS training contributed greatly to the decrease in training days for the combined DP 1 EME Officer course.
There are some very exciting additions and changes to the course which will increase the quality of training at the DP1EME Officer level. Major changes include the approach to instruction and assessments, which will now be focused on analysis, provision of advice, group discussions and deliverables in the form of presentations, briefing notes and memorandums, as would be seen in a maintenance organization. More emphasis will be placed on understanding and influencing production, in both a first and second line organization. Students will also receive more training on the leadership and management of a maintenance organization on deployed operations, which will see the evolution of the legendary Exercise DIRTY HANDS. Field training will focus not only on a first line Maintenance Platoon, but also on a Vehicle or Artisan Platoon in a Maintenance Company, and a platoon sized Forward Support Group as part of a Battle Group or National Support Element. Their scenarios will include work orders, parts requests soldiers’ personnel issues, and similar real life scenarios, including full-spectrum operations in the contemporary operating environment.
