Second Career Assistance Network (SCAN) Seminars now available online

First established in 1978, the Second Career Assistance Network (SCAN) program is just one of the many tools available to those hanging up the uniform and transitioning to civilian life.

However, as of December 2018, military members and their families can now access SCAN’s seminars anywhere and at any time due to the efforts of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Transition Group to bring the seminars online.

“The CAF has long recognized the importance of offering assistance to its members and their families transitioning from the military to civilian life,” said Col. Kevin Cameron, Director Transition Services and Policy (DTSP).

Designed to Educate, Empower, and Enrich

SCAN’s seminars are designed to educate, empower, and enrich the transition from the military to the civilian world. The now-online seminars consist of various informative videos covering a wealth of topics relevant to a transitioning member.

“The SCAN seminar consists of a series of important information that one needs to know in preparation for their transition. As well, the seminar includes information on a number of additional services, support programs, and resources that members and their families may consider in planning their transition journey,” explained Cameron.

Specifically, some of the topics covered by the seminars include:

• Information on career transition and its impact on the member and their family,
• Veterans Affairs Canada benefits,
• Hiring in the public sector,
• Education services and benefits,
• Information on certification, equivalencies, and prior learning assessment,
• And much more.

Designed for Members and Families

Because the seminars are now online, families can also benefit. Family members are typically invited to partake in SCAN seminars. Traditionally, due to the fact that the seminars are offered during work hours, many partners have missed out on attending the sessions, said Cameron.

“SCAN Online now solves this issue, making SCAN available to both members and their families anywhere and at any time,” noted the Director of Transition Services and Policy.

3 Categories: General, Medical, & Executive

Previously, SCAN seminars only covered general topics, but according to Cameron, in recent years, the SCAN program has placed more emphasis on serving the ill and injured population. As a result, SCAN’s seminars are now broken down into three categories: general, medical, and executive.

Medical SCAN seminars are tailored specifically for the ill and injured and cover topics such as:

• The CAF Transition Group’s support to the ill and injured,
• Information on CAF Vocational Rehab Program for serving members,
• And the CAF Medical Release Process.

Executive SCAN is more tailored to suit the needs of senior officials transitioning out of the military and includes topics such as Executive Insurance Plans, Defence Ethics Programme post-deployment, and how to apply for federal jobs.

Career Counselling & Workshops

Besides its online seminars, the SCAN program also offers career counselling and workshops.

Over the years, the program has received a great deal of positive feedback. However, it is still too early for analytics to show how the online seminars have fared, Cameron says. Nevertheless, anecdotally the program has received comments “that our aim of increasing accessibility to members and their families is being achieved.”

As the CAF Transition Group receives more and more feedback on the SCAN seminars, the military will continue to improve the program.

“The CAF Transition Group is dedicated to continuous improvement, and we will certainly continue to make Transition-related programs even more robust in the future,” commented Cameron.

As the CAF TG continues to improve its programs, military members and their families can turn to resources like the online SCAN seminars to create a more seamless transition for the entire family unit.

“SCAN seminars will provide you with an overall picture of what is involved in your transition to civilian life. It includes a presentation on all the benefits and services you are entitled to. They (SCAN seminars) also include essential information to assist you and your family in preparing your transition plan and setting you on course for a successful transition,” said Camero