Personnel from the Defence Academy’s Learning Capability and Development Group (LCaD) have returned from a successful engagement with Irish Defence Forces (DF) counterparts.
The five-day visit that took place at the start of November, saw the short-Term Training Team (STTT) deliver the Defence Higher Education Trainer (DHET) programme to Irish DF personnel. This training supported the Directing Staff from the Irish DF Command and Staff College, United Nations Training School, and wider Military College in delivering high-quality education at postgraduate level.
The DHET course is designed as an introduction to facilitating adult learning in the military Higher Education and Further Education environments. Endorsed by MOD Head Office (Talent, Skills, Learning and Development (TSLD)), it provides course members with practical guidance on adult teaching techniques including:
- facilitation
- management of syndicate room discussions
- engaging adult learners
- planning and designing learning activities
- managing student welfare
The course was warmly received by the attendees as an opportunity to share good practice, and to examine methods to enhance evaluative discussion of complex multi-national operations. Ireland's commitment to United Nations Peace Support Operations stretches across 70 years, most significantly in Lebanon.
Given the rich and valuable nature of these conversations, further collaboration between Ireland’s Military College and the UK Defence Academy is planned. Staff from the UK and Ireland have already been participating in training activity at each other’s institutions in human security as well as training development.
This profitable opportunity for knowledge exchange enriches our understanding of how other nations operate, developing interoperability, and generating more creative methods to sharpen Defence’s Edge.
LCaD was formed in 2024, and supports the analysis, design, delivery and assurance of training and education on behalf of defence and the Defence Academy.
Made up of six departments, and in line with the Defence System Approach to Training, LCaD manages and supports:
- online learning
- training design and development
- qualification assurance and accreditation
- defence research
