Line Technician

Overview

As a member of the military, Line Technicians provide fast, reliable, wired communications infrastructure and support to wireless systems utilizing leading edge cable distribution systems. They are part of a larger team that provides the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) with communications and information services throughout Canada and around the world.

Line Technicians expertly install, remove, maintain, and repair leading edge communications infrastructure such as:

• Interior structured cable systems, consisting of copper cables, fibre optic cables, and supporting infrastructure
• The integration of radio, satellite, and microwave broadband equipment and infrastructure into wired networks
• Communications towers and antennas
• Fibre optic and copper cable distribution and supporting infrastructure in buildings and military bases

To be eligible to apply to the CAF, you must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada;
• Be at least 18 years old (17 years old with parental consent), except:
  • For the Paid Education programs—you may be 16 years old (with parental consent);
  • For the Primary Reserves—you may be 16 years old (with parental consent) and must be enrolled as a full-time student;
• Have completed at least Grade 10 or Secondaire IV in Québec (some jobs need higher levels of education).

Work Environment

Line Technicians experience the unique adventures and challenges that come with working primarily outdoors. Line Technicians work across the country and around the world wherever the CAF has a footprint. Line Technicians are required to work at heights and in confined spaces for extended periods of time and are required to be well versed in the application of safety standards.

If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

Basic Military Qualification

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, or through various training establishments across Canada from Esquimalt, British Columbia, to Halifax, Nova Scotia. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. One main goal of this course is to ensure all recruits maintain the CAF physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding but achievable.

Line Technicians attend the Canadian Forces School of Communication and Electronics in Kingston, Ontario. Training takes approximately 20 weeks and teaches the following basic skills and knowledge:

• Working aloft procedures, policy, and practices
• Confined space procedures, policy, and practices
• Rescue procedures, policy, and practices
• Installation of strategic interior cable systems
• Installation of strategic exterior cable systems
• Installation of tactical cable systems
• Installation of Cable Support Infrastructure
• Cable and supporting infrastructure maintenance

Available Specialty Training

Line Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:

• Complex antenna systems
• Specialty rescue training (telephone pole; confined spaces)
• Advanced rigging training
• Special purpose vehicle qualifications
• Information Technology training

Available Advanced Training

Required Education

The minimum required education to apply for this occupation is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec including Grade 10 Applied Math or Math 416 in Quebec.

Foreign education may be accepted.

Direct Entry Officer Plan

No previous work experience or career related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help you decide if your personal interests and attributes match the criteria for this occupation.

Join the CAF

To learn more about becoming a Line Technician, visit www.forces.ca, talk to a recruiter at a centre near you or call 1-800-856-8488.

Explore over 100 different career opportunities at www.forces.ca/en/careers.