Intermediate Leadership Programme (ILP)

The aim of the Intermediate Leadership Programme (ILP) is to prepare prospective petty officers 1st Class (PO1) and warrant officers (WO) for leadership, management and supervisory roles associated with the rank. The course covers subjects such as leadership, ethics and ethos, global context and operations, code of conduct and rules of engagement, as well as military justice.

The ILP has two components: a ten-week distance learning phase and a 3-week phase delivered in face-to-face learning at the Osside Institute. The distance learning phase allows the CAF to fulfill the objectives it has set for itself in matters of professional development while limiting the impacts on its members’ operational duties and personal lives.

Distance learning

The ILP distance learning phase is a ten-week asynchronous course, which means that candidates may complete it at their own pace prior to attending the face-to-face learning phase of the programme. This learning mode is thus a flexible and effective way to learn without having to attend classes or adhere to a strict timetable. Following registration, the candidate will receive a course manual with all the information, lessons, reading material, and instructions for course assignments. For the duration of this course, candidates benefit from the guidance of a teacher who can answer questions and will correct the candidate’s assignments.

The distance-learning portion of the ILP consists of approximately 40 hours of lecture and assignments. The course material is divided into four modules, which are further divided into lessons. The four modules are:

  • The Profession of Arms;
  • Leadership;
  • Global context, JIMP and C2; and
  • Law of Armed Conflict.

These modules will allow candidates to have a better understanding of the CAF, of society, and of the world in which they work. In order to work effectively in a complex military environment, all CAF military personnel must rely on intellectual resources and a specific skill set. This is why this course develops some abilities that will be useful to military personnel in contexts other than a course in history or political science. These skills include the ability to do research, read specialized documentation, and write an analysis. While preparing assignments, the candidate will learn how to structure and explain ideas in the form of a rational argument based on concrete facts and reference material.

Finally, the ILP provides non-commissioned members with the necessary tools to deal with the challenges of an environment in constant evolution. The tools we are referring to are intellectual resources, critical thinking (judgment and reasoning), and the ability to communicate and understand national politics and military doctrine in order to effectively accomplish CAF operations.

Residential Learning

The residential learning portion of the ILP is three weeks of in-person face-to-face learning taking place at the Osside Institute on the site of Royal Military College Saint-Jean.

The curriculum is based upon study, homework, syndicate and individual assignments, discussion and lectures given by both staff instructors and guest speakers. The main subject areas covered are:

  • Leadership,
  • Management,
  • Oral and written communication; and
  • General Service knowledge.
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