UNCLASSIFIED
Intelligence Community
Professional Education
- The Canadian Perspective
UNCLASSIFIED
John Pyrik
 B.A. International Relations from UBC
 15 years as a government investigator and
analyst
 3 years as chief instructor and manager of the
Intelligence Analyst Learning Program (IALP)
UNCLASSIFIED
Professionalization
 A discipline is something that is formally taught,
defined and recognized academically. It usually
has sub-disciplines.
 Is intelligence a discipline, a field of study, a field
of thought, or an object of study?
 Is it a profession? Well, at least we get paid!
UNCLASSIFIED
Professionalization
 A true profession is defined by a community of
practice
 It distinguishes its members from the public at
large (and from each other) by degrees of
aptitude, and excludes those who do not meet
set standards and ethics.
 To be a professional usually requires ongoing
professional development programs as well as
specialized journals for disseminating new
knowledge and best practices.
UNCLASSIFIED
 Formed in 2002, CAPIA was created to promote
a sense of community amongst Canadian
intelligence analysts and their managers.
 It also aims to set the standard for professional
development in the intelligence analysis
community in Canada.
Awards
Respice,
adspice, prospice
Code
of
Ethics
UNCLASSIFIED
Professionalization
Intelligence Analyst Learning Program

Began delivering courses in 2006

Self-funded / cost recovery

200+ students in 2009 / 2010

23 instructors (mainly sr. analysts)

7 courses (ELC, SAC, MIAC, AWC, TRAC)

Staff of 3 (one permanent, 2 secondees)
UNCLASSIFIED
Professionalization
Intelligence Analyst Learning Program

has increased training resources for
analysts;

promoted best practices of intelligence
analysis; and

helped build a stronger intelligence
community through integrated training.
UNCLASSIFIED
Typical Entry Level Course (ELC)
7
6
5
25
Students
4
3
9
Agencies
2
1
CFIA
CIC
PCO
TC
FINTRAC
RCMP
CSIS
CBSA
DND
0
Class Age Range
Years
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Students
Job Titles






Analyst (3)
Bioterrorism Officer
CI Intelex Unit Support
Data
Emergency Management
Analyst
HR Development Officer
Human Resources







Imagery Analyst (2)
Intelligence Analyst (4)
Senior Analyst (3)
Senior Intelligence
Analyst
Senior Program Officer
Strategic Analyst (4)
Threat Assessment
Coordinator
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Years of Experience
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
48
259
Years in current position
Total years of service
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Nature of Work
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Strategic
Tactical
Students
UNCLASSIFIED
Analysts are a diverse group!
Organize
Information
Explain
Evaluate
Predict
Intelligence
Information
Catalog
Information
Present
Options
Summarize
Information
Interpret
Recommend?
A real teaching challenge!
Best Practices for Intelligence Analysts
1. Reflect on the problem, determining possible approaches.
2. Be resourceful and systematic when collecting
information, documenting sources and noting caveats on
usage.
3. Critically evaluate the quality of all information.
4. Develop multiple hypotheses / explanations.
5. Challenge assumptions, mindsets and biases.
6. Build collaborative networks.
7. Use structured analytic techniques.
8. Write clear, concise, well-documented,
and client-focused reports.
IACC
Approved!
UNCLASSIFIED
Professionalization
Intelligence Analyst Learning Program
 2006 Course Review

 2009 Key Competencies Study

 2009 Program Evaluation

 2009 New Funding Formula

 2010 Needs Assessment

2010 Needs Assessment Survey

The projected demand for training over the next three
years is consistent with previous years.

Stakeholders are generally comfortable with the existing
content, format, and mandate of training, but …
 Some interest in blended learning,
 New training requested on writing, social network
analysis, and classification, and
 strong consensus to develop a course for consumers
of analytic products.
2010 Needs Assessment Survey
Opportunities for contractors / academia?
Survey respondents “definitely” wanted more
advanced / in-depth training on:





Intelligence Assessment
Writing
Briefing
Critical Thinking
Structured Analytical Techniques
UNCLASSIFIED
Questions?
John Pyrik
Chief Instructor & Manager
Intelligence Analyst Learning Program
613 952-4871
jpyrik@bnet.pco-bcp.gc.ca