Canadian Armed Forces Personnel - Non Commissioned

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

• 6464: Occupations Unique to the Armed Forces

2006 NOC-S

• G624: Other Ranks, Armed Forces

2011 NOC

• 4313: Non-commissioned ranks of the Canadian Forces

2016 NOC

• 4313: Non-commissioned ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces

A non-commissioned member (NCM) is any person other than an officer who is enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). They conduct all CAF operations in Canada and abroad.

NCMs are soldiers, sailors, and aviators with hands-on experience and trade specialties. They are skilled experts. Many occupations that are considered trades in the CAF are similar to civilian trades. Others are unique to the military.

The CAF has over 100 trades. They include:

• Aerospace control operator
• Aerospace telecommunication and information systems technician
• Aircraft structures technician
• Ammunition technician
• Armoured soldier
• Aviation systems technician
• Avionics systems technician
• Biomedical electronics technologist
• Boatswain
• Combat engineer
• Construction technician
• Cook
• Cyber operator
• Dental technician
• Electrical distribution technician
• Electrical generating systems technician
• Electronic-optronic technician (land)
• Financial services administrator
• Firefighter
• Gunner
• Human resources administrator
• Imagery technician
• Infanteer
• Marine technician
• Materials technician
• Medical laboratory technologist
• Medical radiation technologist
• Medical technician
• Meteorological technician
• Military police
• Mobile support equipment operator
• Musician
• Naval combat information operator
• Naval communicator
• Naval electronic sensor operator
• Plumbing and heating technician
• Postal clerk
• Refrigeration and mechanical systems technician
• Traffic technician
• Vehicle technician
• Water, fuels and environmental technician
• Weapons engineering technician
• Weapons technician - land

For the full list of military trades, visit the CAF website.

NCMs can be part of the Regular Force or the Primary Reserve.

The Regular Force comprises full-time military personnel who protect and defend Canada. Its members can be deployed on operations in Canada and abroad in response to crises or natural disasters.

Members of the Primary Reserve support the Regular Force. Most of its members serve part-time while working at civilian jobs or attending post-secondary school. They may volunteer for full-time deployment as opportunities and needs arise. However, they cannot be ordered to deploy.

As NCMs gain leadership experience and go up in rank, they may become part of the command team. For more information, see Canadian Armed Forces Personnel - Commissioned Officer.

Military personnel must wear uniforms when on duty. They must conform to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) rules and regulations.

Some roles involve being exposed to dangerous situations.

Non-commissioned members (NCMs) in the Regular Force serve full-time in the CAF. The work setting and hours vary from one trade to another. Most work Monday to Friday with occasional weekend work. Some have shift work. Regular Force members can be permanently transferred.

NCMs in the Primary Reserve serve part-time in the CAF. They must attend military training or provide military services (such as local disaster relief) 1 or more evenings per week and 1 weekend per month. They must attend 2 weeks of basic military training during the summer.

Most large cities have at least 1 CAF Reserve unit. Reservists most often work close to home but can be relocated temporarily for training.

The Reserves offer part-time military training in a variety of trades during the school year. They subsidize civilian trades training at accredited trade schools. They also offer non-mandatory full-time work during the summer.

Fully trained Reserve personnel may work full-time for a fixed period.

Regular Force recruits commit to a variable initial contract, generally from 3 to 5 years.

People in the military trades start as privates. After 4 years, privates are automatically promoted to corporal. Some entry plans offer the chance to advance to the rank of corporal after a shorter time.

After corporal, promotions are by competition. They are awarded according to skill, time in a rank, and performance. Corporals may advance to master corporal, sergeant, warrant officer, master warrant officer, and chief warrant officer. Retirement is compulsory at age 60, but the CAF may allow extensions to age 65 in some cases.

Primary Reserve recruits do not commit to a contract.

After leaving the Canadian Armed Forces, those in trades that are similar to those under the Alberta Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act [pdf] may apply for a journeyperson certificate. Each application is assessed on its own to see if the certification requirements have been met. Applicants may need to take journeyperson or progressive exams. For more information, see the Tradesecrets website.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Non-commissioned ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces
2016 NOC: 4313

99.3% of people in this occupational group work in:

• Public Administration

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

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5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Non-commissioned ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces

2016 NOC: 4313

1.8%

Annual Growth
(Below Average)

n/a

New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Canadian Armed Forces Recruiting website: forces.ca

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