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Royal Canadian Air Force Offering Paid Education Opportunities

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Taking a more focused approach to attract Canadians to Your Air Force, the Royal Canadian Air Force has introduced new initiatives to encourage recruitment.

Two of the new initiatives include implementing the Air Operations Support Technician (AOS Tech) trade as part of Regular Force employment and expanding the paid education entry plan through the Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan (NCMSTEP) to include Aircraft Structures Technician (ACS Tech).

“Getting the word out on Royal Canadian Air Force career opportunities is a priority for us,” stated Colonel Lisa Reimer, Director Air Personnel Strategy, National Capital Region. “We have created a dedicated Attractions Team to work with our partners in recruiting and other stakeholders to find innovative ways to draw Canadians and permanent residents to the RCAF. This includes optimizing available recruiting incentives to attract new aviators. The Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan is one of the programs that we are leveraging to do just that.”

After gaining experience in this role, AOS Techs can continue to progress in rank as servicing technicians or pursue other progression opportunities. Above image: A Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) member guides a CP-140 Aurora to its parking space during Operation IMPACT in Kuwait on February 5, 2015. Air Operations Support Technicians will perform these and other tasks in the RCAF. Photo by: Canadian Forces Combat Camera, Department of National Defence.

Regular Force AOS Techs

Previously, ACS Tech was a reserve career path only. However, according to a recent media release, it has been expanded to include a Regular Force full-time career option. Regular Force AOS Techs will begin their Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) careers as servicing technicians supporting aircraft maintenance programs (e.g., aircraft startup and parking, fueling, towing, inspections, assisting with scheduled maintenance and repairs).

After gaining experience in this role, AOS Techs can continue to progress in rank as servicing technicians or pursue other progression opportunities such as:

Employment and Training,
Aircraft Maintenance Control and Records,
Quality Management,
Project Management,
Occupation Management,
and more.

AOS Tech postings are located across Canada, wherever RCAF aircraft are located.

The RCAF also offers paid education entry plans for technicians in three different career paths:

Avionic Systems Technicians,
Aviation Systems Technicians, and
the newly added ACS Tech.

NCMSTEP

Opportunities also exist for other occupations in the CAF. To become a technician in the RCAF, NCMSTEP is an entry plan option that covers college tuition and the costs for program essentials, such as tools and personal protective equipment.

Students accepted into NCMSTEP also earn an annual salary so they can focus on becoming skilled technicians. Upon graduation, accepted students will hone their skills on a specific type of aircraft in the RCAF.

“It was a great experience having my Aunt Lisa enroll me into the Royal Canadian Air Force,” exclaimed student Aviator Isaac Netherton. “I’ve been enjoying the aircraft maintenance program at Fanshawe College, and I’m grateful for all that the Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan has to offer. I encourage anyone looking to get a head start on their career to consider it.”

Service is in the family. Above image: Aviator Isaac Netherton (centre-right) was enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) at Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre Detachment Hamilton on Aug 29, 2023; joined by his aunt, Colonel Lisa Reimer (centre-left), and his family who inspired him to join the RCAF. Photo provided by Aviator Isaac Netherton.

NCMSTEP is available at 14 aviation colleges across Canada. In September 2024, the RCAF’s Air Maintenance Branch Air Attractions Team undertook a cross-country tour of 12 Canadian technical colleges to promote air technician career opportunities in the RCAF.

“The establishment of the Regular Force Air Operations Support Technician occupation will be a game-changing shift for us that will directly support Royal Canadian Air Force operations in Canada and around the world,” said Colonel Wes Cunningham, Director A4 Maintenance, 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters, Winnipeg.

“It is an opportunity to swiftly join the RCAF team and contribute to air establishments across the country by working alongside aircraft technicians and aircrew, servicing aircraft on the flight line. I can’t wait to welcome our new Regular Force AOS Tech teammates to the RCAF aircraft maintenance community.”

28 Different Career Paths

The RCAF offers 28 different career paths. The NCMSTEP is currently accepting applications for Avionics Systems Technicians, Aviation Systems Technicians, and recently added ACS Tech. The press release noted the NCMSTEP is a competitive application process.

An applicant may be a person with or without prior CAF service or a non-commissioned member of the Regular Force or the Reserve Force. As of November 2024, there are 81 people enrolled in the NCMSTEP for the RCAF.

“We embarked on an incredible cross-country journey in September, and it was nothing short of amazing!” remarked Sergeant Christine Plume, Air Maintenance Branch Air Attractions Team, Detachment Ottawa. “Our Royal Canadian Air Force team, featuring skilled aircrew and technicians from Greenwood, Bagotville, Petawawa, Moose Jaw, Cold Lake, Esquimalt and Comox, and specialist recruiters across Canada, worked seamlessly to make this tour a success. The welcome we received at every college we visited was astounding, providing us with an opportunity to engage with aviation and high school students to convey our personal career stories. This was a rare and great opportunity to showcase the RCAF, our people, and our careers.”

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