School For Officer Training non-residential pilot in the works
In this Q & A, the training principal at the School For Officer Training, Colonel Janet Munn, outlines a plan to launch School for Officer Training non-residential pilot in Brisbane in January 2015.
Q: What has prompted the training college to consider offering a non-residential training option for officers?
A: The purpose of this non-residential training option is to equip and deploy more people for mission in The Salvation Army by making training immediately accessible to people whose circumstances prevent them entering residential training in Sydney.
Q: Apart from being non-residential, will the curriculum differ from the current school for officer training?
A: The primary difference between the Sydney officer training experience and the Brisbane officer training experience is the residential piece. This will mean that the Brisbane-based non-residential cadets will be responsible for their own accommodation and living expenses while engaging in the following, all of which are also present in the current residential officer training experience:
- Participation in a spiritual formation program including a spiritual formation group with other non-residential cadets.
- Meeting with School For Officer Training staff for support, and review.
- Working with a Training Officer.
- Working closely with an appointed mentor.
- Participation in an appropriate and helpful ministry placement in the Brisbane area.
- Working out an academic pathway in consultation with School For Officer Training.
- Involvement in School For Officer Training mission teams.
Q: Will there be training officers based in Queensland or will learning take place in a different format (i.e online or by intensive)?
A: Our desire is to have School For Officer Training officers based in Queensland, as well as for the Brisbane-based cadets to participate in intensive courses for a week or two per year, on the Sydney campus. This will provide opportunity for all the cadets in training to connect and develop a sense of solidarity as a session.
Q: What excites you about this initiative?
A: The potential to equip and deploy more labourers in the Lord’s harvest field. I believe the Lord is speaking to people in this regard, and am praying that this opportunity will connect the ones who are eager to serve the Lord in this way, with the great need in the world – the fields that are “white unto harvest”.
Q: What benefits are you anticipating for cadets?
A: The chief benefit for the cadets is the opportunity to train now, immediately, and to then be engaged sooner in full-time mission.
Q: And the benefits for the Army?
A: This has the potential to
mobilise more people to action, to deploy more people into service sooner.
Q: What challenges does it present?
A: The challenges are primarily those present in any new initiative – effective communication, and anticipating the necessary preparations for an effective training experience. It is a privilege to partner with the territorial
officer recruitment team, the Salvo leaders of the South Queensland Division, and the current SFOT officer staff, all of whose vision and contribution are invaluable in this new venture.
Q: Has it been done in other territories in Australia or overseas?
A: There are several other territories overseas whose officer training program is non-residential and others who offer a variety of means to full-time ministry. Australia Southern Territory is also exploring some very similar alternatives, as is Australia Eastern Territory.
Q: How have those experiences influenced what you will be doing?
A: In that non-residential officer training has not been the norm in most of our experience, there is something reassuring in knowing that such a model exists in Salvationist contexts. From their experience we know it is possible, can be effective, and we can learn from their experience.
Q: Can only those who already live in Brisbane take up this opportunity?
A: The Brisbane-based cadets will be in a cohort, they will take classes together, participate together in a spiritual formation group, commit to field-training in South Queensland Division, and relate to various School For Officer Training staff as a session. Therefore, they will need to be near enough to Brisbane to access those opportunities in person.
Potential candidates can learn more by contacting their divisional leaders or divisional youth secretary.
This story originally appeared in the September 2014 issue of Pipeline.
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