How Long will My Recruitment Application Take?

[Arctichawk1]

Hi everyone,

I applied to CAF as NCM in one of these trades:

• Cyber Operator (6-18 months training)
• Information Systems Technician (12 months training)
• Signal Intelligence Specialist (1.5 months training)

My Qualifications:

• Bachelor's of Applied Science in Computer Engineering in University of Ottawa
• Bilingual
• Physically Active (MMA, Fitness etc.)
• 3 years of work experience as Web Developer as a sub-contractor to a big tech company.
• 10-20 projects in GitHub
• Reading books about Cybersecurity and self-development.
• No Criminal Record

I passed the CFAT test and waiting for my Background Check and Medical Assessment. I was told that background check was done first due to way my recruiting centre works. I am a PR from a NATO country who will be citizen next year. I got laid off from my previous company due to budget cuts in tech and I want to switch to public sector for job security and career progression. How long will my application is going to take?

 

[PuckChaser]

All 3 of those trades need a significant security clearance. As a PR, you may be waiting a while just to get in the door unless you've been living in Canada for over 5 years. You're a good fit academically but the security requirements aren't something they can waive.

 

[Arctichawk1]

All 3 of those trades need a significant security clearance. As a PR, you may be waiting a while just to get in the door unless you've been living in Canada for over 5 years. You're a good fit academically but the security requirements aren't something they can waive.

I have been living in Canada for almost 7 years now. I go to vacation to my home country once or twice every year. Other than that I never left Canada.

 

[PuckChaser]

I have been living in Canada for almost 7 years now. I go to vacation to my home country once or twice every year. Other than that I never left Canada.

That, and the vacations in a NATO country will help speed up the background check. To manage expectations, it's currently taking over 2 years for Canadian citizens who have never left the country to obtain secret clearances. All 3 trades you chose will need top secret or higher. The CAF recruiting system has not figured out how to prioritize desperately needed Sigs trades for processing and recruitment so you may be waiting a while.

 

[NavyHopeful]

That, and the vacations in a NATO country will help speed up the background check. To manage expectations, it's currently taking over 2 years for Canadian citizens who have never left the country to obtain secret clearances. All 3 trades you chose will need top secret or higher. The CAF recruiting system has not figured out how to prioritize desperately needed Sigs trades for processing and recruitment so you may be waiting a while.

They may get processed with Reliability first, and then re-processed as TS prior to their first employment off of initial trade training. I know that my trade requires TS, but recruits come to us from CFLRS with Reliability status, and the USS here at the school assists the students with updating their clearance to the requisite level. If this ends up being the case, the security clearance check for Reliability status is significantly shorter.

 

[PuckChaser]

Shorter yes, but the further you get away from CanCit/FVEY NATO country, it's a long process. Cyber and SigInt are going to need very high levels of vetting, and I've seen folks (Canadian from east coast with simple file) wait 3 years of their 4 year initial contract to get required clearance to start SigInt Spec DP1. I wouldn't be surprised if Reliability took 6 months, which is a shame because someone with that type of education should be a priority file for those jobs.

 

[Mike5]

From where I sit in the PRes, many currently-serving Sig Ops and ISTs have Reliability, it appears to be next to impossible for anyone to get TS.

I hope you make it through -- that is a strong resume.

 

[Underway]

As a PR, you may be waiting a while just to get in the door unless you've been living in Canada for over 5 years

10 years for foreign implications. Also if one has close relatives that live elsewhere its a long process.

Resume is irrelevant. Its all about whether you can get level III or level II. Some applicants can only get level II (Secret) and need to be redirected to those specific trades. Be prepared for a 2 year wait after the interview is done and the applicant is granted RS.

 

[Battlesausage]

I applied in October 2023 and start basic training August 2024. I was selected for Signal Operator. I am a Canadian citizen.

 

[Arctichawk1]

I got feedback for my application. It seems due to foreign implications I am not eligible for these 3 positions so I closed the file and will reopen it next year for officer positions. Worst case scenario, I will pivot to other NCM positions. Is there something I need to know regarding security clearances?

I am thinking about these 3 positions:

1. Communications and Electronics Engineering Officer
2. Signals Officer
3. Naval Combat Systems Engineering Officer

 

[Draius]

I got feedback for my application. It seems due to foreign implications I am not eligible for these 3 positions so I closed the file and will reopen it next year for officer positions. Worst case scenario, I will pivot to other NCM positions. Is there something I need to know regarding security clearances?

I am thinking about these 3 positions:

1. Communications and Electronics Engineering Officer
2. Signals Officer
3. Naval Combat Systems Engineering Officer

Did you get an interview call ? What they have communicated to you ?

 

[Arctichawk1]

I just asked status of my application from e-mail. Due to foreign implications on which they require a citizen with 10 years of residency, I was not accepted. I was told that I could switch to other NCM positions but since I have a CEG degree I also wanted to try officer route.

 

[Draius]

I just asked status of my application from e-mail. Due to foreign implications on which they require a citizen with 10 years of residency, I was not accepted. I was told that I could switch to other NCM positions but since I have a CEG degree I also wanted to try officer route.

I have applied for similar domains and just today went for interview but I am citizen with almost 10 years residency , to me they said the security clearance will take 1 year to 18 months but after reliability clearance I can do basic training the will do trade specific training after getting security clearance so bit confused as they never communicated this to me

 

[adeljithuat]

@Draius do you know how long does reliability clearance last take?

 

[Draius]

@Draius do you know how long does reliability clearance last take?

No idea about how much time it takes might depends on case to case only thing I can say the reliability clearance depends on last 5 years and secret clearance on last 10 years

 

[firewall]

If the caf got a penny for everytime this question was asked we would be the highest GDP spender in NATO.

Aside from that...

Best of luck in your application, you sound like you have the proper experience and the caf will be lucky to have you. But unfortunately, no one on here will be able to tell you how long it will take.

 

[Lili40]

No idea about how much time it takes might depends on case to case only thing I can say the reliability clearance depends on last 5 years and secret clearance on last 10 years

It depends also on how much clearance security they have to check and third parties collaboration. If you lived + 6months out of Canada, maybe you will need a police paper from this place you were, officially translated

 

[cyber_lass]

Hi everyone,

I applied to CAF as NCM in one of these trades:

• Cyber Operator (6-18 months training)
• Information Systems Technician (12 months training)
• Signal Intelligence Specialist (1.5 months training)

My Qualifications:

• Bachelor's of Applied Science in Computer Engineering in University of Ottawa
• Bilingual
• Physically Active (MMA, Fitness etc.)
• 3 years of work experience as Web Developer as a sub-contractor to a big tech company.
• 10-20 projects in GitHub
• Reading books about Cybersecurity and self-development.
• No Criminal Record

I passed the CFAT test and waiting for my Background Check and Medical Assessment. I was told that background check was done first due to way my recruiting centre works. I am a PR from a NATO country who will be citizen next year. I got laid off from my previous company due to budget cuts in tech and I want to switch to public sector for job security and career progression. How long will my application is going to take?

Not sure where you got the 6 - 8 months of training for cyber... 15 months for willis and if you have clearance, another 4 for dp1. but waits are long right now as they only run dp1 2x a year with limited capacity. And sig int, is two courses, both about 2 months. 2nd course as far as I have heard you need clearance for.

 

[Lili40]

You are luck you passed the CFAT. I am still waiting for a date to pass it
Anxiously

 

[Draius]

You are luck you passed the CFAT. I am still waiting for a date to pass it
Anxiously

Its a long process , I gave my CFAT in March and have a physical fitness test in November...then long wait for background clearance ... anyways best of luck for your CFAT .

I am sure of one thing the journey is really awesome irrespective of final outcome ...so enjoy the journey.