Plumbing and Heating Technician

Overview

As a member of the military, Plumbing and Heating Technicians provide plumbing and heating engineering support to operational units at home and abroad.

The Plumbing and Heating Technician job is one of seven Construction Engineering positions involved in the supply of all construction, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering services in support of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations worldwide. The primary responsibilities of the Plumbing and Heating Technician are to:

• Install and maintain interior plumbing systems
• Install and maintain interior water supply systems
• Install and maintain heating systems
• Install and maintain fire suppression systems
• Install and maintain gaseous fuel systems
• Install and maintain oil burning equipment
• Produce related designs and specifications
• Produce related drawings
• Install and maintain field ablution facilities

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

Plumbing and Heating Technicians often work with the challenges that come with varying environmental conditions. Plumbing and Heating Technicians maintain their skills while employed at home units or on humanitarian operational assignments.

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.

Basic Occupational Qualification Training

Plumbing and Heating Technicians attend the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Gagetown, New Brunswick. Training takes approximately 22 weeks and includes:

• Care and use of common and special purpose tools and test equipment
• Application of occupational codes and regulations
• Interpretation of drawings and schematics
• Brazing and welding techniques
• Forced hot air heating systems
• Plumbing systems
• Interior water and sewage systems
• Low pressure natural gas fuel systems
• Chemistry, fluids, heating and mechanics

Available Specialty Training

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

• Specialty heating systems
• Water distribution systems
• Instructional techniques

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 / CST 4 in Quebec.

Foreign education may be accepted.

Direct Entry Plan

No previous work experience or career related skills are required. If you already have a university or college diploma, the CAF will decide if your academic program matches the criteria for this job and may place you directly into the necessary on-the-job training program following basic training. Basic training is required before being assigned.

Join the CAF

To learn more about becoming a Plumbing and Heating 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.