Relevance
The Career Transition Services Program aligns with federal government priorities as well as VAC’s mandate and strategic outcomes.
Post-military employment is a key determinant of health and is related to the degree to which transition from military to civilian life is successful. Although 10,334 Veterans have released in the last two years, only 59 Veterans have been reimbursed for career transition services. So, while research has shown a need for transition-employment services, the Program has not responded to that need. Modifications made in 2012 did not succeed in making the Program more responsive, rather they created a seam between CAF and VAC and delayed access to services.
Performance
The CTS Program achieved neither targeted uptake nor expenditure projections for any year of the evaluation period. A Performance Measurement Strategy is in place and has been kept up to date; however, it was not extensively reported against and there was no evidence of any Program adjustments made as a result of performance data.
Evidence shows that the program operates efficiently. Because of the low participation rates and Program expenditures though, it has not proven to be economical. Because the evaluation showed evidence of need, alternate methods to deliver career transition services to releasing CAF members should be examined. To ensure a positive result, such services should be engaged prior to the member releasing and continued for a time after employment is attained.
The evaluation findings resulted in the following recommendations:
Recommendation #1
It is recommended that the Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and Commemoration seek to redesign the Career Transition Services program to meet the employment transition needs of releasing Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans.
Management Response:
Management agrees with this recommendation. Policy and Research Division will develop policy options for the redesign of Career Transition Services to better provide supports for employment transition from a military to a civilian career.
| Corrective action to be taken | OPI (Office of Primary Interest) | Target date |
|---|---|---|
| Policy options developed; presented to senior management; and preferred option determined | ADM, Strategic Policy and Commemoration | August 2016 |
| Program design and implementation plan developed | September 2016 | |
| Proposal to government | November 2016 | |
| Implementation of a new program design | TBD |
Recommendation #2
It is recommended that the Assistant Deputy Minister, Service Delivery, explore and implement interim initiatives to increase the usage of the CTS program.
Management Response:
Management agrees with this recommendation. There may be operational strategies, not requiring policy or legislative change, to effect greater uptake of the funds available under the Career Transition Services Program. Service Delivery is committed to develop and explore options, implement those which may be effective, and to monitor the success of the implemented approaches.
| Corrective action to be taken | OPI (Office of Primary Interest) | Target date |
|---|---|---|
| Program Management staff will consult with other areas of the Department, including Case Management and Support Services, Strategic Communications, Transition Coordination and Integrated Services, and the Client Relations Directorate, and develop an options paper that proposes operational strategies to increase the uptake of the Career Transition Services Program. The options paper will be presented to senior management for a decision. | Health Care, Rehabilitation and Income Support Programs Directorate | July 29 2016 |
| Program management staff will lead and/or coordinate the implementation of the approved strategies. | December 30 2016 | |
| Program management staff will work with the Statistics Directorate to develop regular reports to monitor the success of the implemented strategies. | April 30 2017 |