Internal Validation

Foundation
To enable you to devise an internal validation (InVal) strategy, collect and analyse InVal data, and present InVal.
An army officer and civilian pointing to an interactive whiteboard.

Course Information

Level: Foundation
Location: Shrivenham
School/Centre: Defence Centre for Training Support
Course Code: InVal
Duration: 3-days
When: Multiple dates available

About this course

Delivered by the Defence Centre for Training Support (DCTS), this course will assist if you are within a training delivery authority (TDA) or training provider (TP) whose primary role is to:

  • devise an InVal strategy
  • collect and analyse InVal data
  • present InVal findings to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of training delivery

Please Note: All our courses will be open for application 6 months prior to the course start date and will appear in the 'Planed Dates' box when we are accepting applications. Once DCTS reaches application capacity for a singular course iteration, these course dates will be removed from the 'Planned Dates' box. In the table below you can see all course iterations for the full training year and when they will become open for application. For further information please refer to the DCTS DIN; 2025DIN07-019-Defence Centre for Training Support (DCTS) course information and instruction, which can be found on MODnet.

Applications for the course will be closed 6 weeks Prior to the start date.

Internal Validation – planned courses TY25/26

Course Number

Course Dates

Open for Application from

IV 001

14 – 17 Apr 25

(4 day course)

Dec 24

IV 002

28 – 30 Apr 25

Dec 24

IV 003

02 - 04 Jun 25

Jan 25

IV 004

07 – 09 Jul 25

Feb 25

IV 005

14 – 16 Jul 25

Feb 25

IV 006

17 – 19 Sep 25

Apr 25

IV 007

22 – 24 Sep 25

Apr 25

IV 008

01 – 03 Dec 25

Jul 25

IV 009

09 – 11 Mar 26

Oct 25

What you will learn

You will learn to:

  • measure the immediate reaction of trainees to a training event through an after action review
  • measure the learning transfer achieved by the training activity
  • develop an InVal strategy that describes when and how to collect data
  • develop InVal data collection instruments that are valid and reliable
  • collect InVal data from a variety of sources
  • analyse qualitative and quantitative InVal data
  • present InVal findings

How this course will help your career

If you are posted into an InVal analyst role in defence training, whether it be as a member of the military, a civil servant or contractor and you require an understanding of DSAT.

An awareness of DSAT will allow you as an analyst to deliver effective, efficient, safe and well designed training.

Entry requirements

Who can attend this course

  • Military
  • MOD civil servants
  • Partners across government (PAG)
  • Industry
  • Internationals

Restricted to personnel involved in InVal roles that require an understanding of DSAT.

DCTS Priority Matrix; Applicants are to use the priority matrix below to identify where they best fall as a priority for the course. On receipt of application acknowledgement and student justification form from DCTS, all applicants are to list their priority number and return the student justification detailing why they fall within the below priority.

Priority Matrix

No and Overview:

Detail:

1. Specific operational requirements

Contained within student justification. Unit*/Line Manager agreement (Defence Trainer Manager, Training Officer, or OF3/C2). Evidence required: For example, assignment order/detachment notice and/or extract from TOR's.

2. Unit Critical, no unit qualified individuals

Contained within student justification. Unit*/Line Manager agreement (Defence Trainer Manager, Training Officer, or OF3/C2). Evidence required: Evidence of unit risk (training will be cancelled or reduced. Safety could be compromised). In addition, assignment order/detachment notice and/or extract from TOR's.

3. Unit Urgent, reduced number of trained personnel

Contained within student justification. Unit*/Line Manager agreement (Defence Trainer Manager, Training Officer, or OF3/C2). Evidence required: Evidence of unit risk (training will be cancelled or reduced. Safety could be compromised). In addition, assignment order/detachment notice and/or extract from TOR's.

4. Current role requirement

Contained within student justification. Line Manager agreement (Training Officer or OF3/C2). Evidence required: Assignment order and/or extract TOR's required and Navy Training Managers in phase 2 training.

5. Professional, branch or trade requirement or promotion

Contained within student justification. Line Manager agreement (OF3/C2). Evidence required: Identifying courses for future roles within your profession, branch or trade but not currently your primary role or promotion board requirement.

6. Cover of short-term gap

Contained within student justification. Line Manager agreement (OF3/C2). Evidence required: Not your primary role but fulfilling an additional requirement due to gapped post.

7. Other reason

Contained within student justification. Line Manager agreement (SNCO). Reason for application (Eg; professional development, interest, future planning).

*Notes for Unit justification:
1. OF3/C2 contact and detail outlining the situation with numbers of posts, filled/gapped and how many of the filled ones are not yet qualified.
2. Extracts of Customer Executive Board (including working groups) records of decision.
3. Extracts from the commander's risk assessment or self-assessment report, or other formal staff product which notes the risk (Risk Register, etc).

Before you attend

Prior to attending the residential workshop, candidates must complete the following reading and learning activities, which cover DSAT and Internal Validation activities/deliverables:

  • changes to JSP822: 2015DIN07-179
  • JSP 822: Governance and Management of Defence Individual Training, Education and Skills: Part 2, Guidance: Chapter 1 Element 4: Assurance
  • Defence Connect DCTS Page – contains useful DSAT resources: Internal Validation 9006 pre-course work book

Additional information

How the course will be taught

  • Face-to-face/Residential
  • Blended
  • Online (Virtual)