Garrison Personnel Service Office

The Personnel Service Office offers a variety of Behavioural Science Service to aid in the overall effectiveness throughout Land Force Western Area (LFWA)/Joint Task Force West (JTFW) and Joint Task Force North (JTFN). Services offered include:

• Personnel Selection
• Transition Services
• Educational Services
• Organizational Consulting Research

Personnel Selection In service Occupation transfers: members are provided with the opportunity to complete for a change in their occupations through various programs.

• Land Occupational Transfer Program (LOTP)
• Annual Voluntary Occupational Transfer Program (AVOTP)
• Continuing Occupational Transfer Program (COTP)
• Subsidized Education Programs (NCM-SEP/NTTP)
• Officer Voluntary Occupation Transfer Program (OVOTP)

In-Service Officer Production Commissioning Programs: motivated members who have displayed leadership potential and academic ability may apply and compete for several commissioning programs.

• University Training Plan for Non-Commissioned Members (UTPNCM)
• Special Commissioning Plan (SCP)
• Continuing Education Officer Training Plan (CEOTP)
• Commissioning From The Ranks Plan (CFRP)

Special Employment: with the CF there are several new and challenging employment opportunities that involved specialized training and highly demanding employment opportunities.

• Joint Task Force 2 (JTF 2)
• Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR)
• Resistance to Interrogation Instructors (R2I)
• Flight Steward/Attendant Employment

Other Options...

• Eligibility/suitability counselling for any/all of the above programs
• Canadian Forces Aptitude Test (CFAT/eCFAT) counselling
• MOC/MOSID-specific career counselling
• Administrative Review/Medical Employment Limitations (AR/MEL)
• Reassignment- voluntary and compulsory
• other career action in support of various career boards and other personnel management activities
• Screening interview for out-of-country service

Transition Services

GPSO is responsible for ensuring that all LFWA/JTFN personnel are aware of, and provided with, the available resources and professional services require to attain their personal and professional goals.

Recognizes the commitment of Canadian Forces member and the extraordinary demands and challenges of the military lifestyle, the Canadian Forces makes services available in the Second Career Assistance Network (SCAN) to assist from military to civilian life.

These SCAN services include, but are not limited to:

• SCAN seminars
• Long-Term Planning Seminars
• Career Exploration Workshops
• Career Transition Workshops (e.g., resumes, job search, methods, interviewing skills, skills assessment, etc.)
• Individual Assistance, if needed
• Career Counselling, if needed
• Education & Career Fair
• Access to a Multi-Media Resource centre

Registration for the above services must be done through individual's unit's point of contact as participation in above seminars/workshop are considered to be their place of duty

The GPSO also provides members with information regarding potential employers who are interested in hiring former Canadian Forces members this includes:

• The Centre
• Access to the GPSO Job Opportunities Board
• Access to have your company website link on our internal home page
• Display booth at the GPSO Annual Education & Career Fair

Educational Reimbursement

There are several reimbursement programs that are designed to assist members with professional goals. The programs are depended upon how members are currently serving.

• Educational Reimbursement - Regular Force
  • Financial reimbursement to RegF Officers and NCMs who, through part-time study, wish to upgrade their educational or professional qualifications in the interest of the CF
• Education Reimbursement - Primary Reserve
  • Members of the Primary Reserve who are pursuing a degree or diploma can request reimbursement of up to 50% of mandatory educational expenses, to a maximum of $2,000 per academic year, not to exceed $8,000 for all service in the PRes
• Skills Completion Program (SCO)
  • Financial reimbursement of education and certification expenses for eligible RegF members to upgrade their military skills and experience to a civilian equivalent or to obtain a civilian certification level, or both, leading directly to second career employment
  • Members with 10 years or more of service are eligible for this benefit
  • TO access this benefit member must submit an Individual Learning Plan 30 days prior to their release
• Liaise with civilian agencies/post-secondary institutions to develop and maintain professional links between CF members and access to education
• Administer the payment of Educational Subsidization benefit claim

For further information and details, go to:

• www.cda.forces.gc.ca/dlm/engraph/services/er/reimbursement_e.asp

Organizational Consulting

Providing behavioural science services to enable the Area and the CF to effectively assess, acquire, integrate, and maintain personnel for operational and support roles

Administer and conduct data analysis on behavioural science surveys, special projects and research on behalf of unit commanding officers

Provide briefings to unit commanding officers on the overall human readiness of their personnel and provide recommendations for change

FAQ

Q: Many companies ask how they might be able to advertise their interest in hiring former CF members?
Ans: Contact the GPSO Office who will post a single 8x10 advertisement on your behalf. You may also contact The Centre if you would like to be involved in hiring retiring members and/or would like to have national exposure to retiring members. Interested representatives from companies can also contact the GPSO to be invited to the annual Career & Education Fair, traditionally held early each year (e.g., March).
Q: As an academic/learning institution, who can I contact that will provide information about my programs to releasing members?
Ans: The GPSO has an Education Coordinator who provides educational counseling, organizes an annual Career & Education Fair and can advertise out of GPSO office.
Q: How can I find out more information about how to obtain an occupation transfer?
Ans: Your best option is to attend one of the briefings on occupation transfers and other in-service selection programs held bi-monthly at the BPSO. Contact 973-4011 Ext 5777 for information about briefing timings.

Special Events Section

Career & Education Fair – March 14

The Career & Education Fair is designed to provide easy access to member and their spouses of local academic institutions and potential employers. For information contact the BPSO Education Coordinator Mrs S. Seymour at 973-4011 Ext 5759.

SCAN Seminar – 6 & 7 Feb

This two-day seminar is designed to provide releasing members of an overview of the administrative process that accompanies releasing from the CF. Various agencies are invited to speak to provide members with first hand knowledge about their potential benefits, the release process, education reimbursement programs, and career transition services. Interested members may register for the seminar through their unit Training Officer. Contact the BPSO at 973-4011 Ext 5777 for more information.

Location of CFB/ASU Edmonton Garrison Personnel Selection Office

The PSO is co-located with the DND civilian Learning and Career Center (LCC) on the second floor of the Lecture Training Facility, 'B' Annex, Bldg 407, Edmonton Garrison.

For more information, don't hesitate to contact us at:

• Tel: (780) 973-4011 ext. 5777
• Toll Free: 1 (888) 336-2776
• Fax: (780) 973-1620

In an effort to supply the best possible service we welcome any comments or suggestions you may have about our web page.