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Own Your Future, Make Your Move!
PSP Middle Managers On Course to Top Positions
Evelyn Keller, National Succession Plan Coordinator, sees a bright future for Succession Planning. "As people start to see the opportunities in training and education from which many are benefiting, more and more will choose to register with the Succession Plan," she says. "What I enjoy most about coordinating this is watching the success stories of PSP employees going on secondments, backfilling maternity leaves, job swapping, and advancing their knowledge in subjects such as French and Middle Management." Photo: Mary E.S. Johnson |
By Mary E.S. Johnson, Information Coordinator, CFPSA Training Centre,
Borden, (705) 424-1200 ext 3127,
Johnson.MES@forces.gc.ca
A few years ago, senior leaders in PSP division examined the future PSP managerial workforce and realized that around 2007, many of the former military (now Staff of the NPF,CF) would be reaching their 10-year service milestone with CFPSA, entitling them to retire without penalty. Naturally, the question arose: Can we tap into our homegrown talent before it slips away?
The decision was made that since the CFPSA Training Centre in Borden aims to provide the right training to the right people at the right time in their careers, Succession Plan Training and Development was a natural addition to its training mandate. In fact the new shout-out to PSP employees is a fresh and inspiring "Own your future, Make your move!"
During the inaugural Senior Manager Development Course in May/June 2006 at the CFPSA Training Centre in Borden, nine students gleaned important information from a variety of CFPSA Subject Matter Experts. Material in various subjects was delivered such as business planning, labour relations, leadership and creative problem solving.
When not in class, students had a wide array of opportunities to learn from each other and network in a more informal learning environment. Participants had a chance to experience Wasaga Beach at sunset, a Blue Jays' game in Toronto, Karaoke night at Bleachers, hiking on the Niagara escarpment, kayaking on Kempenfelt Bay and finally, a feast at The Mandarin in Barrie.
During a three-month internship, PSP Managers, who collectively possess decades of corporate memory, will become mentors for these future senior management prospects. "Practical, hands-on learning is absolutely key to preserving and transferring the knowledge of seasoned employees to those who remain to someday replace them," says Paul Poirier, CFPSA Training Centre manager. "Employees are learning that career advantages and perks are more than financial."
"This was a pilot course so there will certainly be lessons learned, but the first participants can be proud of their role in this ground-breaking endeavor," says Evelyn Keller, National Succession Plan Coordinator. "With upcoming Intermediate and Junior Manager Development courses, more and more PSP employees will see that rising to the next level is an attainable goal and the program will gain greater momentum."
Find out more about the succession plan by visiting www.cfpsa.com/successionplan
 From left to right, front: Paul Poirier, CFPSA Training Centre Manager; Greg Pearson, CFPSA Exec VP PSP; Gaétan Melançon, Director Physical Education PSP; Howie Woodruff, CFPSA Training Centre Chief Instructor.
Back: Jean Daoust, Fitness Sports and Recreation Director at CFSU (O); Neil McKenzie, Health Promotion Director Gagetown; Brad Miller, Gold and Curling Club Manager Edmonton; Evelyn Keller, CFPSA PSP Succession Planning Coordinator; Alex Motuzas, Fitness Sports and Recreation Director CFB Edmonton; Laurie Ogilvie, Director Corporate Policy, Plans, and Development, CFPSA Ottawa; Mike Taylor, Physical Fitness Policy & Resource Manager, PSP Ottawa; Tanya Marchenko (VIP Observer) Corporate Systems Operations Manager CFPSA Ottawa; J.P. Toupin, SP Consultant St.-Jean; Nancy Ford, All Ranks Mess Manager 9 Wing Gander; Christopher Smith (VIP Observer) HR Labour Relations Officer CFPSA Ottawa; Wendy Harnish, Community Recreation Director Gagetown; Melissa Horbas, Community Rec Director Gagetown.Photo: Mary E.S. Johnson |
