Canadian Forces (CF) eRecruiting

As part of a long-term strategy aimed at promoting Defence as a career of choice, the Department of National Defence continues to develop and implement innovative measures to streamline the CF recruiting process and improve recruit training.

The “Careers” link on the main National Defence web site at http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/careers/index_e.asp or the Canadian Forces recruiting site http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca list all available careers in the Navy, Army, Air Force and Reserves. The Canadian Forces recruiting site adopted new, dynamic, interactive and more user-friendly format in 2004. The new web design features in demand professions, a career matcher and links to a number of available recruiting related subjects, including:

• Entry Plans (http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca/engraph/enrollment/index_e.aspx)
• Basic Training (http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca/engraph/btraining/cflrs_e.aspx)
• Pay and Benefits (http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca/engraph/benefits/introduction_e.aspx)

In 2005, the on-line application and applicant status report will be implemented. This will use the Secure Channel e-Pass system to facilitate connecting to the site and securely transmitting personal data over the Internet. Major features of CF e-Recruiting will include pre-screening, on-line application and data validation, applicant tracking status, applicant appointment dates and auto updating of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Information Management System.

The benefits of on-line recruiting include:

• Reach. For those Canadians who do not reside near a recruitment centre or do not currently reside in Canada, on-line recruiting will provide a more available means of applying to the Canadian Forces;
• Alternative Service Channels. Applicants will have the choice of applying to the Canadian Forces via the Internet or completing the traditional application form at a recruiting centre;
• Improved Information Exchange. Applicants will be able to track their progress through the recruiting process via the web;
• Efficiency. On-line application will allow people to monitor the application process via the Internet. This will improve the efficiency of the application process by streamlining the data collection process and improve the overall data quality.

The processing, selection and enrolment of high quality military members for the Department of National Defence is a major human resource and technological challenge. With the support of the National Defence On-Line (NDOL) Program, new programs are now underway to implement the technologies and processes necessary to move the system toward an end-to-end e-Recruiting solution.

The shortage of skilled people is one of the biggest challenges facing the Canadian Forces, and addressing this recruiting and retention challenge continues to be a top priority for the Department.

The Defence Learning Network

To improve the retention of trained CF members, the National Defence has initiated the Defence Learning Network (DLN) project.

This project is a major initiative that will allow DND to create a flexible, continuous learning environment for military members and civilian employees. The ability to deliver learning opportunities to all Defence Team members “anywhere, anytime, just-in-time” is fundamental to supporting and achieving the operational mandate and objectives of DND/CF. The project's broad mandate, in support of the Strategic Human Resource Plan, is to develop a network of career centres, with on-line learning capabilities that will:

• Lead to greater career flexibility;
• Rejuvenate skills in the civilian workforce;
• Invest in people and through a ‘learning organization;
• Maximize employment opportunities;
• Maximize use of the national academic civilian infrastructure;
• Support self development and continuous learning activities;
• Develop a new training strategy to provide all CF members with the knowledge and skills to operate in the battle space of the 21st century.

Development of DLN directly supports the DND/CF National Defence On Line initiative as well as Treasury Board's Government On-Line (GOL) initiative and the Canadian Government's thrust towards more effective use of technology. The planned approach to implementation includes liaison and partnership with Other Government Departments to examine opportunities for sharing facilities, development resources, information, and courseware. In addition, the thrust to make all departments "continuous learning organizations", as reflected in supporting white papers (e.g. A Policy Discussion Paper - A Public Service Learning Organization from Coast to Coast to Coast, June 2000), was a cornerstone of the October 1999 Speech From the Throne. The new knowledge-age demands that we enhance the quality of life of our members, in order to remain competitive with other employers in a knowledge economy.

For more information contact the National Defence On-Line Program Manager