Applications are now open for the 2019 Wounded Warriors Canada Veteran Trainers to Eradicate the Use of Child Soldiers (VTECS) program!

Apply online before January 18th, 2019 - APPLICATION CLOSED

About

Based out of the Dallaire Initiative’s institutional home, Dalhousie University, the Wounded Warriors Canada Veteran Trainers to Eradicate the Use of Child Soldiers (VTECS) program delivers education and skills transition training for Canadian veterans by combining academic, fully-credited university classes with specialized training that build on Canadian veterans’ skills, expertise and experience.

The 2019 VTECS program is now accepting applications from Canadian Armed Forces veterans as well as Municipal, Provincial and Federal police veterans.

The VTECS program provides an opportunity for veterans, competitively chosen, to acquire a deep and broad understanding of the skills, knowledge and attitudes required of security sector actors to legally, humanely and effectively interact with children/child soldiers in domestic or foreign operational areas.  Program participants receive focused education in this field, and develop academic and instructor/facilitation skills, which may be of benefit in all areas for veterans transitioning from military to civilian life and employment.

The Wounded Warriors VTECS program is the result of a partnership of Canadian organizations and individuals supporting the Dallaire Initiative in our mission to eradicate the recruitment and use of child soldiers around the world.  Led by Wounded Warriors Canada (WWC) and with the support of the Air Canada Foundation, we aim to provide education for veterans of both the Canadian Armed Forces and Canadian policing organizations, to successfully transition from service to civilian life.

“As a veteran, my military career does not define who I am but serves as a grounding in my personal growth.  The VTECS program is reflective of my values and adds depth to my professional and academic experience.  The VTECS program has allowed me to focus my passion for making a difference for our world’s most vulnerable, children.”

- Francis W. Harrison, 2017 VTECS Program Participant

Meet two of our VTECS graduates

2016 VTECS Graduate

2017 VTECS Graduate

Veteran Trainers to Eradicate the Use of Child Soldiers

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply for this program?

The VTECS program accepts applications from the following:

• Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces (Regular Force or Primary Reserve) who possess a good conduct release from the Canadian Armed Forces

•Veterans of Canadian federal, provincial or municipal police forces, who possess a good conduct release from their relevant police force

What does the VTECS program entail?

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.

How long is the program?

The online course occurs from February 28th - 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.

Where is the VTECS Program located?

The residency portion of the program is held at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

What sort of skills are you looking for?

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.

What are the mandatory requirements of the VTECS program?

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.

Will I be employed with the Dallaire Initiative following this training?

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.

Where will I reside while in Halifax?

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.

What costs are covered?

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-  31st.

What costs are not covered?

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

Does application to the program guarantee me a position on 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.

When is my application due?

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

When can I expect to find out the status of my application?

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

Start Your Application Today

Applications are now open for the 2019 Wounded Warriors Canada VTECS Program.

How to Apply

  • Note that in order to complete the application form, you’ll need to have the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to get the latest version.
  • When application form appears in new window, download prior to inputting any information.
  • You can enter information into the application form and save it as you work on it. Be sure to review your answers and ensure you haven’t missed any of the required questions (marked in red). While not all questions are required, you are encouraged to complete as much of the application as possible.
  • Save your completed application as LastNameFirstName.pdf
  • Once your application is complete, email it to vtecs@childsoldiers.org and include the application form as an attachment.
  • Applications must be received by the Dallaire Initiative by January 18th, 2019 at 11:59pm.

Questions? vtecs@childsoldiers.org

Help us end the use of children as weapons of war