By Emily Brown, Borden Citizen

Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden played host to 39 Deans representing technical colleges from across Canada in early October.

The College representatives were treated to a full day of information, demonstrations and hands-on learning providing them with the opportunity to learn and experience some of what the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has to offer its graduates.

The morning consisted of briefings and information sessions, followed by an afternoon visiting schools including: Canadian Forces Logistic Training Centre (CFLTC), Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers School (RECEMES), Canadian Forces School of Aerospace technology and Engineering (CFSATE) and Canadian Forces Fire and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Academy (CFFCA).

During these visits, the Deans were given briefings on the various workings of the schools, followed by Q and A sessions and many hands-on workshops specially designed to highlight the modernization of the various training systems and the CAF members behind it all.

“This visit is an opportunity for us to showcase the Canadian Armed Forces, the modernization of our training system, and most importantly our people,” Col Atherton, CFB Borden Commander commented. “Building links between the post-secondary programs offered at the institutions these Deans represent was one of the things I wanted to accomplish during this multi-day visit. The Deans were very impressed with the professionalism and passion displayed by our members, and as the Base Commander, I am extremely proud of our people to hear that.”

Building links between the various technical colleges across Canada is imperative to allow graduates access to information about what the CAF has to offer as rewarding careers. Depending on the occupation, there are many benefits for applicants to the CAF who are attending or have already graduated from a technical or trade college.

The CAF recognizes some selected trade and technical training programs at community colleges across Canada. The CAF-Accreditation, Certification, Equivalency program (CAF-ACE) allows applicants from some community college programs to enter the CAF as a “semi-skilled” applicant. Semi-skilled applicant means that the person has a qualification in a specific trade from a recognized program, and they simply need to complete differential military training to obtain a full qualification. This process makes the CAF an attractive option for community college graduates, and also saves critical resources in the CAF training system by avoiding duplication of training.