Description
Opportunity
Do you love the sea? Want a career where you can work with your hands? As a Marine Technician in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), you’ll be responsible for operating and maintaining highly technical propulsion, mechanical and power generation systems on Royal Canadian Navy warships.
Overview
Marine Technicians are trained to specialize in either the mechanical or electrical fields as their careers progress. Primarily, they operate all marine systems engineering equipment onboard the ship, troubleshoot failures, advise command on limitations and complete repairs as required to restore system function.
They execute and track maintenance schedules, respond to emergencies as the onboard experts in firefighting and damage control, participate in helicopter crash rescue and act as the ship’s metal workers to carry out burning, welding and machining.
Marine Technicians will gain in-depth knowledge of the following:
- Propulsion gas turbines and diesel engines
- Generators and power distribution systems
- Hydraulic equipment and systems
- Electronic machinery control systems
- Fitted and portable damage control and firefighting equipment
- Refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation equipment
- Fuel and other liquid management systems
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).
Paid Education Options
Non-commissioned Member (NCM) Subsidized Training and Education Program (STEP)
Because this position requires specialty training, the CAF will pay successful recruits to attend the diploma program at an approved Canadian college. NCM STEP students attend basic training and on-the-job training during the summer months. They receive full-time salaries, including medical and dental care, along with full pay in exchange for working with the CAF for a period of time. If you choose to apply to this program, you must apply both to the CAF and the appropriate college.
Work Environment
Marine Technicians spend much of their career on board ships based in either Halifax, Nova Scotia, or Esquimalt, British Columbia. They will work in limited light conditions and small spaces. They may also work on open deck surfaces in a variety of weather conditions to repair or maintain equipment. Marine Technicians usually work a regular day-shift schedule.
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.
Naval Environmental Training
Naval recruits attend Naval Fleet School Pacific in Esquimalt, British Columbia, or Naval Fleet School Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for approximately five weeks. Training includes the following topics:
- Perform General Duties in the Naval Environment
- Perform as a Member of the Force Protection Team
- Perform as a Member of the Damage Control Organization
- Carry Out Survival Drills
Marine Technician Training
Marine Technicians attend Naval Fleet School Pacific in Esquimalt, British Columbia. Training takes several months and includes:
- Basic Mechanical, Electrical and Hull Systems Theory
- Basic Preventive and Corrective Maintenance for Marine Systems
- The Conduct of Propulsion and Ancillary Rounds
- Equipment Flash-Up and Shut-Down Procedures
- Basic Emergency Responses to Equipment Failures
- Emergency Burning and Welding Equipment and Procedures
- Repair of Watertight and Non-Watertight Closures
Available Specialty Training
Marine Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training for topics like:
- Helicopter Crash Rescue Firefighting
- Welding
- Fabrication / Machining
- Diesel Inspection
- Gas Turbine Maintenance
Available Advanced Training
As they progress in their career, Marine Technicians who demonstrate the required ability and potential may be offered advanced training. Available courses include:
- Advanced Mechanical or Electrical Preventive / Corrective Maintenance
- Plant Operation and Watch Supervision
- Advanced Firefighting / Damage Control
- Refit Management
- Equipment Lifecycle Management
- Maintenance Management
The minimum required education to apply for this position is the completion of provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary IV in Quebec, including:
- Grade 10 Academic Math (Mathématiques 426 or CST 4); or
- Grade 12 Applied Math (Mathématiques 526 or TS 5 / SN 5)
A General Educational Development (GED) certificate is only acceptable if the applicant also has grade 10 Academic Math or Grade 12 Applied Math. It is an advantage to have completed a physics course at any level.
Direct Entry Plan
Ideal candidates will already have a diploma or Red Seal for a related civilian trade. If you already have a university or college diploma, the CAF will decide if your academic program matches the training criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following basic training. Basic training and military occupation training is required before being assigned.
Please note that, if successful in the application process, you will be entering service in either the Regular Force (full-time employment) or Primary Reserve Force (part-time employment) of the Canadian Armed Forces as a military member.
• 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.
• Primary Reserve Force: You will be joining the Primary Reserve Force 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 with possibilities of full-time employment.
To learn more about the various ways to join the Canadian Armed Forces, visit: https://forces.ca/en/how-to-join/#wj
Join the CAF
To learn more about becoming a Marine 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.
