Refrigeration and Mechanical Technician
Canadian Armed Forces
Overview
As a member of the military, Refrigeration and Mechanical Technicians provide heating, ventilation and air conditioning, refrigeration, aircraft-arresting systems and radar systems engineering support to operational units at home and abroad.
The Refrigeration and Mechanical Technician job is one of seven Construction Engineering positions that provide all construction, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering services to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations.
The primary responsibilities of the Refrigeration and Mechanical Technician are to:
- Install, operate, maintain and repair fixed and mobile refrigeration systems and associated control equipment
- Install, operate, maintain and repair heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and associated control equipment
- Install, operate, maintain and repair Aircraft Arresting Systems
- Install, operate, maintain, repair and overhaul mechanical systems associated with Aircraft Radar Systems
- Produce associated designs and specifications
- Produce associated mechanical drawings
- Conduct reconnaissance related to the above
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
Refrigeration and Mechanical Technicians often work with the challenges that come with varying environmental conditions. During peacetime, Refrigeration and Mechanical Technicians maintain their skills while employed at home units or on humanitarian and United Nations 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
Refrigeration and Mechanical Technicians attend at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Gagetown, New Brunswick. Training takes approximately 24 weeks and includes:
- Environmental skills such as defensive tactics and firearms
- Care and use of common and special purpose tools and test equipment
- Application of occupational codes and regulations
- Interpretation of drawings and schematics
- Fixed and portable refrigeration systems
- Aircraft radar systems
- Physics, mechanical, electrical and electronic principles
- Aircraft hangar doors
- Brazing and welding techniques
Available Specialty Training
Refrigeration and Mechanical Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:
- Heating ventilation and air conditioning controls
- Aircraft arresting systems
- Instructional techniques
- Team leaders course
- Fixed aircraft arresting technician course
- Coastal radar mechanical systems course
- Air surveillance radar mechanical systems course
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 Refrigeration and Mechanical 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.