The VTECS program is offered in two parts – online and on-campus residency. Both parts of the program have rigorous course requirements and demand the full attention and participation of program participants.

Participants are required to complete the following course and program requirements:

ONLINE - Child Soldiers and At-Risk Youth (February 28 - June 18, 2023)

Participants are required to successfully complete the Dallaire Initiative’s e-learning course on Child Soldiers and At-Risk Youth during the non-residency portion of the program from February – June 2019.  The online course offers a comprehensive overview of the issue of child soldiers from a domestic and international perspective. The course requires reliable access to the internet throughout its duration.  Parts of the course are self-directed and can be completed at one’s own pace. However, discussion threads and assignments are due on specific dates. Successful completion of the online course is a pre-requisite to attending the campus residency.

RESIDENCY – Dalhousie University, Halifax Nova Scotia (July 2, 2023 – July 31, 2023).

The residency portion of the program is conducted over a four-week period at Dalhousie University. Participants are required to successfully complete 2 upper-level, credited, undergraduate university courses on “Children and War” and another on international peace and security (TBD). These courses are delivered to VTECS participants and undergraduate students by professors from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Courses and training will be conducted from Monday to Friday throughout this period. There will also be home assignments, readings etc.… required in the evenings and on weekends. The academic courses will require successful completion of tests, course papers and group work.

The program also includes the delivery of a combined “Basic Prevention of the Use of Child Soldiers Course” and a “Train the Trainer Prevention of the Use of Child Soldiers Course” course, taught by staff from the Dallaire Initiative. The Dallaire Initiative courses will require successful demonstration of instructional techniques and knowledge of Dallaire Initiative training material.

Additionally, the residency portion of the program will contain evening lectures and guest speakers on related issues. All seminars and program events require attendance and participation.

The online course occurs from February 28^th - June 18, 2019. The residency portion, in Halifax, takes place from July 2 – July 31 2019.  In order to be selected to participate in the program, you must be available for the entire program duration.

We are eager to engage military and police veterans who have a mix of experiences, including leadership experience in a variety of settings, training experience with either security sector personnel or civilians, international experience, familiarity with issues related to human rights, child protection and youth engagement, as well as experience working in areas of conflict and/or with vulnerable populations. This program will provide a depth and breadth of both academic and practical educational opportunities related to children/child soldiers, domestically and abroad.

In order to be considered for the Wounded Warriors Canada VTECS program you must meet the following requirements:

Be one of the following:

• A veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces (Regular Force or Primary Reserve) who possesses a good conduct release from the Canadian Armed Forces or;

• A veteran of a Canadian federal, provincial or municipal police force, who possesses a good conduct release from their relevant police force.

• Able to successfully complete the online course requirements from February – June 2019.

• Able to attend the program in Halifax Nova Scotia from July 2 – July 31 inclusive.

• Agree to successfully complete a security screening process.

The VTECS program is an educational program. Participants are provided with an opportunity to receive focused education in this field, and to develop academic and instruction/facilitation skills, all of which can be of benefit for veterans transitioning from military/police to civilian life and employment.

As part of the program, candidates will be provided with a room in residence at Dalhousie University. All facilities used on this program, including cafeteria, classrooms etc. are within a short walking distance from the residence. The cost of this accommodation is paid as part of this program. All candidates will be provided with a meal allowance from arrival to departure from Dalhousie University. Residence accommodations include kitchenette spaces.

Successful candidates will be provided tuition and registration fees for VTECS related courses, return travel from a Canadian city centre to Halifax for the July training, campus accommodation and a meal allowance at Dalhousie University from July 2-  31^st.

Spending money, incidentals, security check fees, medical/travel insurance, emergency funds etc. are not paid by the program.

No. The program is limited to 15 candidates. A selection board will review all applications and will select the final 15 candidates. A short waitlist will be created, in the event a selected candidate is unable to attend. Please note that the Dallaire Initiative receives a significant number of applications for this program, from qualified candidates around the country.

Applications must be received by the Dallaire Initiative by January 18^th, 2019 by 11:59pm.

All applicants, whether selected or not, will be notified online within 20 business days of the close of application.