UNLOC – UNCOE Hybrid training at FINCENT

The training was organized according to the needs of the Finnish Defence Forces to provide training for logistics officers soon to take part in a peacekeeping operation.

FINCENT organized the United Nations Logistics Officers- and United Nations Contingent Owned Equipment (UNLOC – UNCOE HYBRID) training from 21 September to 2 October. Not included in FINCENT’s regular course calendar, the training was organized according to the needs of the Finnish Defence Forces to provide training for logistics officers soon to take part in a peacekeeping operation. The themes of the two-week training prepared 9 students who were personnel of the FDF to serve as logistics officers in both a UN and a nationally led headquarters in a UN peacekeeping operation following UN procedures and regulations.

Due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation, the training was carried out with special arrangements and the first week was conducted entirely as eLearning. This was accomplished with the use of the FDF’s PVMoodle online learning platform and its integrated BigBlueButton virtual classroom capabilities. The lectures were conducted successfully over the internet and the virtual classroom was utilized for the preparations of the coming syndicate work.

FINCENT is in the process of developing eLearning capabilities for various courses and the UNLOC – UNCOE training was the first time eLearning played a large part in the implementation of a course. Moreover, the training offered valuable experience for the further development of FINCENT’s eLearning. Our goal is to be able to provide courses partially or in their entirety as eLearning starting next year.

The second week of the UNLOC – UNCOE HYBRID was conducted in normal classrooms at FINCENT, respecting the necessary COVID-19 precautions. The 9 students were divided into two groups, and the main emphasis was on the application of the knowledge they had gained during the first week. The background for the syndicate work was provided by a scenario of an imaginary UN peacekeeping operation. Despite the unusual circumstances, the training was carried through successfully and without interruption.