Marine Technician

OpportunityDo 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.

OverviewMarine 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 :

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 QualificationThe 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 TrainingNaval 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 TrainingMarine 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 TrainingMarine 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

Required EducationThe 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)

Foreign education may be accepted.

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.

Join the CAF

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

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