Last Updated: 15 March, 2017

1.0     Introduction

As part of a wholesale review of instructor training and development the Ministry of Defence (MOD) established the Defence Training Capability (DTC) Project.

An element of the DTC Project will widen the support that is provided to new Defence trainers and also mandate the completion of a Workplace Portfolio.

2.0     Background

Prior to 2014-2015, all Defence instructors, both military and civilian, undertook one of two courses:

• Defence Instructional Techniques (DIT) course; or
• Defence Train the Trainer (DTTT) course.

The DTTT qualification was for Phase 1 (initial or basic military) and Phase 2 (special to arm or employment) instructors, and the DIT qualification was for Phase 3 (continuation, education or promotion) instructors.

Also, instructors/managers who had responsibility for the supervision and monitoring of Defence instructors where required to undertake the Defence Instructor Monitoring and Evaluation (DIME) Course.

2.1     In-Post Qualifying

The MOD has a longstanding commitment to ensure that instructors are appropriately qualified within three months of arriving in post.

The reader should appreciate that manning shortages and operational commitments (as well as promotion and job rotations) generate peaks and troughs throughout the training year, which can make it somewhat problematic in identifying potential candidates for the various Defence Training Establishments (DTEs) in a timely manner.

2.2     Army Trainer Capability (ATC) Programme Landscape Changes

The Army Instructor Capability (AIC) programme has been rebranded the Army Trainer Capability (ATC) programme in line with MOD policy, in which the UK Defence community is moving away from a training culture of delivery (i.e. instructor-centric) to learner engagement (i.e. Trainer facilitation).

The UK Defence community has adopted the Defence Trainer Capability (DTC) model, however, the British Army has developed its own compliant version known as the ATC programme.

Although the ATC programme follows the DTC programme, there are some differences, most notably terminology of course titles and pre-requisites for certain Trainer roles at DTEs.

A variety of useful MOD documents, which can be found in the Useful Publications section below, provide a thorough outline of the changes and differences.

3.0     New Defence Trainer Training Model

From 2015 all potential instructors will receive their training and development based on the DTC Policy agreed in July 2014. This policy includes a phased (2015-2017ish) widening of the scope of Defence trainers who:

• Receive formal instructor training;
• Are supported through workplace supervision; and
• Receive continual professional development (CPD).

Ofsted (the sector regulator) has been engaged throughout the DTC Project and has provided guidance on the development of the policy and courses. Another practical application of this policy is the design and introduction of three new courses:

• Defence Workplace Trainer: which replaces the DIT qualification;
• Defence Train the Trainer Version 2: which replaces the DTTT qualification; and
• Defence Trainer Supervisor: which replaces the DIME qualification.

3.1     Post Course Formal Assessment

New Defence trainers are formally assessed at the earliest opportunity (maximum within 3 months) of completing their Trainer Training course.

3.2     Post Course Workplace Portfolio

All new Defence trainers will be required to complete a Workplace Portfolio and will only be awarded full competency as a Practitioner once the Workplace Portfolio is completed.

The workplace portfolio must be completed with six months of taking up a trainer assignment.

4.0     Defence Workplace Trainer

The Defence Workplace Trainer (DWT) course, which replaces the DIT course, is a classroom-based course delivered by franchised Defence Training Establishments (DTEs); for example, the Learning Centre at RAF Wittering, located at Peterborough.

It is a 5-day course for all personnel who will undertake instructional duties within the Defence environment.

5.0     Defence Train the Trainer Version 2

The Defence Train the Trainer Version 2 (DTTT v2) course, which replaces the DTTT course, is a classroom-based course delivered by franchised DTEs.

It is a 13-day course for all personnel who will undertake instructional duties within the Defence environment.

6.0     Defence Trainer Supervisor

The Defence Trainer Supervisor (DTS) course, which replaces the DIME course, is a classroom-based course delivered by franchised DTEs; for example the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom (DAUK), located at Shrivenham.

It is a 3-day course for all personnel with the responsibility for the supervision and development of trainers. As such, it is aimed at line managers, supervisors or co-ordinators of trainers and/or directing staff.

New Defence trainers and legacy staff will be monitored by DTS qualified personnel.

6.1     Aim

The aim of the DTS Course is to ensure that all personnel with responsibility for the development of trainers have the capability and competencies required to supervise and coach training staff in the workplace in accordance with the requirements of JSP 822, the Defence Systems Approach to Training, thus ensuring best practice and standardisation of the development process.

The course builds upon the essential knowledge and skills previously acquired and demonstrated on either:

• The Defence Higher Education Trainer (DHET) for DAUK personnel; or
• The DTTT v2 course.

6.2     Outline of the DTS Course

The DTS course includes the following elements:

• Assess adherence to training delivery documentation;
• Establish the Roles of the Defence Trainer Supervisor;
• Determine the Responsibilities of the Defence Trainer Supervisor;
• Assess the 5 Pillars of a Lesson;
• Identify the trainer development processes;
• Identify the 5 Pillars of Assessment;
• Coach the trainer;
• Develop trainer performance;
• Apply coaching and communications skills;
• Conduct feedback sessions post trainer monitoring; and
• Comply with the Defence Academy Management of the Training and Education System (MTES), for DAUK participants.

6.3     Pre-requisites

Previous successful completion of the DHET (for DAUK participants) or DTTT v2 course is mandatory.

6.4     Accreditation and Assessments

This course is formally assessed; all participants have the opportunity to conduct a trainer evaluation, and then to deliver an assessed one-to-one feedback and coaching session.

7.0     Useful Publications

Some useful publications published by the MOD:

• 2015DIN07-068 – Army Trainer Capability Policy & Implementation
• 2016DIN07-019 – The Army Skills Offer
• 2016DIN07-057 – Army Trainer Capability, Implementation of Defence Policy