Case Study – Middle East Military Organisation Transformation to Electronic Learning Systems (TELS)
Overarching requirement:
As part of a Middle East Military Organisation’s programme of major expansion and modernisation, encompassing improved command, control and communications capabilities, the customer required a dynamic, blended learning solution which would include Technical Enhanced Learning (TEL). This requirement would be supported by an extensive, robust training analysis and design process. The new learning capability would support the Corps’ reorganisation and addition of telecommunication capabilities into the future. The scope of the requirement encompassed six separate Capability Training Subjects (CTS), each comprising a number of separate equipment types and/or specific roles.
Individual CTS Requirements:
CTS 1 (Internet Protocol (IP) Networks) represented a completely new requirement which aimed to provide the necessary trained, competent and qualitied personnel to manage the organisations own IP core network across the country. Initial investigations narrowed the scope of the target audience down to comprise of eight separate roles with many others recommended for later investigation and analysis. These eight roles taken forward were: IP Technician, Call Manager, Technical Support Technician, Information Technology (IT) Operations Technician, Regional Control Centre Technician, Core Engineer, Fibre Technician and Facilities Technician.
CTS 2 (Command, Leadership and Management (CLM)) required the introduction of CLM training across the entire Signal Corps rank range of officers and soldiers. This would provide effective levels of CLM skills that enable the Corps to cope with the increased technical proficiencies and deployable assets that the major expansion and modernisation programme would bring. Initial analysis brought four roles into scope of the target audience consisting of: Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, Warrant Officer, Junior Officer and Senior Officer.
CTS 3 (Deployable systems) set the requirement to provide the necessary trained, competent and qualitied personnel to deploy, operate, maintain and exploit new deployable telecommunications systems within the Signal Corps. Initial scope comprised of seven separate deployable telecommunications capabilities, each encompassing a minimum of two separate roles; operator, technician. These capabilities included: Deployable Communications Node, Deployable Satellite Communications, Deployable Tropospheric Scatter, Staff Working Environment, Rear Link Communication Systems and Deployable Local Area Network.
CTS 4 (Service management) required the provision of trained, competent and qualitied personnel whom would be employed within Service Management roles to support the organisations IP core network across the region. Initial investigations narrowed the scope of the target audience down to comprise of nineteen separate roles.
CTS 5 (Mobile / Fixed systems) set the requirement to provide the necessary trained, competent and qualitied personnel to deploy, operate, maintain and exploit new fixed and mobile systems within the Signal Corps. Initial analysis narrowed the scope of the target audience down to a three-tiered role based upon experience, competency and rank: Communications Specialist Technician class 3, 2 and 1.
CTS 6 (Network security) required the introduction of trained, competent and qualitied personnel whom would be employed within Network Security roles to assure the security of the organisations IP core network across the region. Initial investigations narrowed the scope of the target audience down to comprise of two main roles: Operation Security Manager and Security Administrator.
In-line with the overarching requirement for all six CTS, the customer required blended training solutions, to include TEL, to satisfy current and future needs of their Corps.
Approach:
Mercury analysts deployed to the Middle East for the duration of the contract to enable them to fully immerse and embed with the Signal Corps’ personnel, subject matter experts (SME) and capability equipment support contractors, leading to a richer, comprehensive output of deliverables. An extensive, auditable and Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT) compliant Training Needs Analysis (TNA) was conducted to meet the customer’s learning requirements for the new roles and capabilities. This was followed by extensive Training Design (stages 1, 2 and 3) work packages that supplied the e-Learning provider with the necessary information to build dynamic, TEL blended learning solutions. Mercury provided further close liaison and SME support to e-Learning provider throughout their storyboarding, development and testing phases to assure content accuracy and relevance in-line with the TNA and Design outcomes.
Outcomes:
Through the delivery of an extensive TNA, Training Design activities and assurance support to e-Leaning provider, fully auditable DSAT compliant training solutions were delivered thereby enhancing the knowledge level of students, thus enabling Signal Corps personnel to:
- manage the organisations IP core network providing vital IP communication services across the region.
- enhance their CLM skill levels. The introduction of a common CLM programme to the entire promotional and career path of both officers and soldiers created a mutual understanding across all ‘specific to discipline’ areas within the Signals Corps. This offered a clear route towards an improved operational capability to operate, maintain, deploy and exploit all fixed and deployable communication systems.
- integrate deployed systems into the wider IP core network providing unified IP communication services to the organisation across the region.
- provide service management facilitation across the IP core network to design, plan, deliver, operate and control IT services for the organisation.
- integrate mobile/fixed systems into the wider IP core network providing seamless IP communication services to the organisation.
- assure the network security of the IP network across the region whether fixed, mobile or deployed.
