Air Force Personnel, Armed Forces Personnel, Guard, Infantryman, Military Personnel, Navy Personnel, Sailor, Soldier, Supply Technician, Traffic Technician
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:
Interest in analyzing information to provide aid in emergency situations such as civil disorder, natural disasters and major accidents, as well as to perform administrative and guard duties
Interest in controlling armoured vehicles, artillery, hand-held weapons and other military combat and defence equipment
Interest in speaking - signalling to engage in drills and other training in preparation for peacekeeping, combat and natural disaster relief duties
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Many of the occupations considered trades in the Canadian Armed Forces are similar to civilian trades. Some are unique to the military.
The Canadian Armed Forces has many entry-level trades including:
Military personnel must wear uniforms when on duty and conform to Canadian Armed Forces rules and regulations. The working environment and hours of work for non-commissioned personnel vary from one trade to another.
All military personnel are subject to transfer. Some assignments involve exposure to dangerous situations.
Non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces need the following characteristics:
Applicants for non-commissioned Canadian Armed Forces personnel positions must:
The selection process is competitive and, as a general rule, those who have more education or related training have an advantage. High school graduates are more likely to succeed in the Canadian Armed Forces.
The selection process includes a personal interview, aptitude testing, fitness testing (Reserves only), and a medical examination. Applicants must provide documentation such as school transcripts, birth certificate, and a completed Canadian Armed Forces application form.
Those selected for enrolment are offered positions as they become available. Recruits are allowed a reasonable time to settle their personal affairs or to complete a school year before being sent for basic training in at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruitment School (CFLRS) in St. Jean, Quebec.
The emphasis in basic training is on teamwork, drill, physical fitness and classroom instruction about the Canadian Armed Forces. After successful completion of basic training, recruits are assigned to other bases in Canada to learn their trade and, depending on their trade, to specialized occupational training.
Enrolment in the Canadian Armed Forces requires recruits to commit themselves to a variable initial contract, generally from three to five years. While there are provisions for remuster (changing trades), it only is allowed in exceptional circumstances. Therefore, applicants should take great care in choosing a trade and, if there are no current vacancies, should consider re-applying at a later date rather than joining the Forces in trades that do not really interest them.
After leaving the Canadian Armed Forces, those in trades similar to those governed by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act may apply for a journeyperson certificate. Each application is assessed individually to determine if certification requirements have been met. Applicants may be required to take journeyperson or progressive examinations. For more information, see the Tradesecrets website.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
After training, personnel are posted to a Canadian Armed Forces base, unit or ship.
People in the military trades start as privates. Promotions are by competition and are awarded according to skill, time in a rank and job performance. Privates may advance in rank to corporal, master corporal, sergeant, warrant officer, master warrant officer and chief warrant officer. Promotion to the rank of corporal is achieved by attaining specific levels of training, normally after a minimum of four years of service. Some entry plans offer opportunities for advancement to the rank of corporal after a shorter time period. Retirement is compulsory at age 60.
Most large cities have at least one Canadian Armed Forces Reserve unit. The Reserves offer part time military training in a variety of trades during the academic year and full time employment during the summer months. Some opportunities exist for trained Reserve personnel to be employed on a full time basis for a fixed period of time.
Privates earn from $33,672 to $49,440 a year. Annual salaries for corporals range from $56,568 to $74,988 a year (2013 figures).
People in the military trades are entitled to four weeks of annual vacation with pay (five weeks after five years of service), free medical and dental care, a free dental plan for dependents and a pension plan.
Canadian Armed Forces Recruiting website: www.forces.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 29, 2015. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.