Bert has specialized knowledge of student information management in the Distributed Learning and Continuing Education school systems. He has provided his consulting expertise through speaking engagements and consulting to schools and School Districts throughout the province to improve their student records management practices and maximize their funding availability. Clients include:
– BC School District Continuing Education Director’s Association (BCSDCEDA)
– BCeSIS Southern Consortium
– SD33 Fraser Valley Distance Education
– SD34 Abbotsford Virtual School
– SD34 Bakerview Continuing Education

South Island Distance Education School (SIDES) is viewed as a leader in Distributed Learning and in the use of technology to provide flexibility and options for students both locally and abroad. SIDES required a review of its own internal technology architecture to ensure that it can meet the business demands in terms of security, volume and system availability for its students, staff and management. Bert van der Geest led the project and together with Grant Brager of Strategic Functions Ltd., conducted a technology architecture review. The review provided recommendations for improvement for the technology infrastructure, security, applications, work processes and support staffing to align with the organization’s business plans.

The Yukon embarked on a change management initiative to standardize student achievement reporting as part of their territory-wide implementation of YSIS. Bert van der Geest and Sandi Plewes facilitated training sessions for teachers, principals and counsellors throughout the territory on mark entry, report cards and diploma verification. This month-long project enabled standardized student achievement reporting for all schools throughout the territory and provided local support staff with the necessary knowledge transfer of skills and training materials for on-going support.

As part of the transition from BCeSIS Project Implementation to ongoing operations, Bert was responsible for providing architectural direction, defining a planning and priority setting framework and providing leadership of provincial working groups for operational enhancements and standards definition.  Bert provided a key integration role between the Ministry of Education, School Districts and the operational service provider through improved communications and definition of operational processes.

Bert was responsible for leading province-wide end-to-end reviews of the 4 major Ministry Reporting interfaces.  Bert lead teams of working groups to identify issues, options and recommendations.  Bert also managed the delivery of the software modifications through the service provider (Fujitsu), delivery of business policy clarifications, and business process/procedural documentation.  Bert also managed the implementation of the StrongStart BC Early Learning program using the BCeSIS web-application for tracking registrations and attendance to monitor utilization of this program.

As part of an initiative to integrate the unique requirements of Distributed Learning, Bert participated as Senior Business Analyst on the Continuous Entry Learning project.  This project involved the definition of requirements with participation of representatives from across the province and the design of a Continuous Entry Learning module to integrate with the existing BCeSIS application.  Bert participated in the architecture and system design and was responsible for approval of all specifications and test results of the completed product.

Bert was contracted by Fujitsu Consulting as Application Manager for the BCeSIS application with the Ministry of Education.  Bert lead the Application Management Services team of business analysts, report developers, and quality assurance staff in the definition and delivery of enhancements and application updates from the product supplier as well as custom report development for the BC implementation.  Bert was responsible for defining the operational processes of the team and transitioning the application management role to Fujitsu staff resources.

Bert lead a data conversion strategy for the implementation of a Common Student Information system (BCeSIS) with the Ministry of Education.  Bert played a key role in the standardization of data and in the development of a provincial conversion strategy and methodology for use by School Districts around the province.  The BCeSIS project was awarded “Excellence in Information Sharing” at the 2005 Public Sector Information Technology Awards.

Bert provided Business Analysis and Project Implementation of the Certificate of Approval system (Electronic funds transfer system for prepaid capital advances) for the Ministry of Advanced Education, Education and the Ministry of Finance.  Bert was responsible for all communications, evaluation of the system delivery mechanism, purchase of software, development of remote installation procedures and implementation to 60 School Districts and 22 Universities, Colleges and Institutes.  Bert completed this project on-time and under budget to the satisfaction of the clients and all key stakeholders.

Bert provided his project management expertise for a number of initiatives with the Greater Victoria School District.  Bert managed the implementation of three major projects to improve business process, provide improved system functionality, address Year 2000 issues, and foster a project management discipline for implementation of systems within the District.  Specifically, these projects included implementation of an integrated Human Resources/Payroll System, a Facilities Management System, and a Facilities Rentals System.

Bert was responsible for co-developing and delivering a seminar on project and change management to the Greater Victoria School District. The purpose of this seminar was to introduce the School District to project management and provide them with some concepts, tools, techniques and templates that could be applied consistently for all projects throughout the District. Following the seminar, Bert was called upon to provide his expertise through coaching to District project managers for their existing projects.