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Free E-Courses for Spouses of Deployed Personnel

While Canadian Forces (CF) personnel are away on deployment, why shouldn’t their spouses expand their horizons too?

Itplanit Services Corp. is offering the opportunity to do just that. The technology and professional development training company is holding 10 spaces in each of their virtual courses for the spouses of deployed members, free of charge. Itplanit is piloting this new initiative from September-December 2009 in three CF communities with personnel soon-deploying: Edmonton, Moose Jaw and Shilo.

“We decided to do this because we wanted to give back to the community,” says George Lobo, Itplanit’s Director of Operations. “We already give back by donating funds to The Snowsuit Fund for underprivileged kids, but this way, we can give something through our business that’s unique.”

Itplanit focuses on both the technological and personal sides of the workplace, offering courses in four major areas: technology, business skills, IT service management and office productivity. Though the bulk of their courses are offered in a traditional classroom, Itplanit also offers numerous online courses through their eLearnLife program.

“E-learning is new to us, and we’re trying to roll it out slowly to make sure we offer a robust selection,” says Mr. Lobo. Though CF spouses have a full variety of professional backgrounds, Mr. Lobo is confident that there are e-courses to polish any résumé, and sharpen the skills of any worker.

To sign up for the free courses, Edmonton, Shilo and Moose Jaw spouses of deployed members will be referred to Itplanit by the Deployment Support Coordinators at their Military Family Resource Centres. The spouses will then be able to choose from courses in Microsoft Excel, SharePoint, project management, information security and more.

Courses are offered in two to three hour sessions, and are facilitated by a live instructor. Some take only a day or two days to complete, while more in-depth courses are offered in the evenings or mornings over a couple of weeks.

“We’ve tried to stay as true to a live classroom as possible,” says Mr. Lobo. “Students log-in to a web portal, and see and hear their instructor live on video. The students can click on a button to raise their arms to ask questions, and there’s a chat function as well. The instructor even has the ability to ‘take over’ your computer to show you a function you’re having trouble with. You’re able to see everything that’s on the instructor’s own desktop.”

Itplanit is also responsive when students have questions about applying what they’ve learned in class to a professional setting. Itplanit welcomes follow-up questions by email, and record their eLearnLife sessions so that students can review their lessons.

“For us, offering this opportunity is a win-win,” says Mr. Lobo. “We get to fill our classrooms with people who want to learn, and provide our e-learning across the country.”

For more information and to view the complete eLearnLife schedule, visit www.itplanit.com.