Trades?

[inferno]

My question is:

When someone goes into the army as a mechanic, or engineer, when they come out into civi land, are they able to practice the trade they were when in the army?

For example, if I was a mechanic - could I be a mechanic immediatly in civi world?

Thanks.

 

[Fader]

*not a tech, not an sapper*

As a vehicle tech, you learn ALOT of useful stuff that carries over to the civilian world. One guy in my unit started out as a veh. tech. and he‘s one of the most knowledgable guys on vehical repair and maintenance I‘ve ever met. I don‘t know if his credentials allow him to actually practice as a civilian mechanice, but again, I don‘t know.

I do know that Engineers in the army are NOT civilian engineers. I‘m an engineering student, and someday hope to become a professional certified Engineer, and I do know that unless you take the engineering program offered by RMC (or any other university/college) and get a commision, as well as actually practice professionally recognized Engineering for 4 year and pass an ethics exam, you‘re not a civilian engineer.

 

[762gunner]

The best thing is to talk to your friendly local neighbourhood PSO. There is an online database (only on the DWAN) that shows civilian equivilencies to military trades, but it is being updated regularly (though it‘s always a bit behind). The PSO can provide you with the latest information on what civilian courses or tests you have to take in order to get a civ-equivililent trade qualification (such as a journeyman ticket).
Last time I checked, it covered the I.T. industry extensively (i.e. MCSE quals), but was only starting to get into EME stuff.
Good luck.

:warstory:

 

[inferno]

PSO? DWAN?
Sorry, totally lost.

 

[riggah052]

It‘s not only possible for my trade, it‘s bleeding us dry. Once you retire, or voluntary release, telecom companies are fighting each other for LMN.+

 

[inferno]

LMN?
I‘m sorry. I have NO idea what these abbreviations mean.

Thanks.

 

[Fader]

That‘s true Riggah; LMN are Lineman, remember "Enemy at the Gates" inferno? they‘re the modern day version of the German guys with the wheel of cable on thier backs that were sniper chow for the Russians

All the Linemen at my unit work for Shaw, Telus, or other such companies because they do a lot of work with fiberoptic cable, which is really, really hot these days (and a vert marketable skill).

 

[inferno]

So lots of these skills ARE transferable. That‘s good to know.
A person hears a lot of bad things about the CF. As in when guys get out, they go on the welfare or EI, because skills = non transferable, so they go back and do more schooling and wind up making $8 an hour anyways.

Just want to get all the right reasons set in MY mind, you know?

 

[WINDWOLF]

Ya,alot of trades are transferrable inferno,
but remeber that 031 is not civiy
compatable.Had a bitch of a time
finding work that would support a
growing family.I was lucky that i had
a previous trade to fall back on when
things got tough. :warstory:

Note: don,t knock the $8hr wage,kept food
on the table & rain off our heads.

 

[Fader]

At the very least; the security clearance you can get can probably help you find a job with a civilian company working for the CF. If you look at the DND website: http://jobs.gc.ca/menu/home_e.htm you can find tonnes of jobs that don‘t require much more than a high school diploma that pay pretty decently.

 

[WINDWOLF]

Lui, i can tell you from past
experiance having a security
class can be nothing but a headach.

After some encryp/decryp courses,my security was
upgraded & when i got out,i had to always
inform NDHQ/CCIS where i was living & my job
for about 5 yrs until the system became outdated.A major pain in the a$$.

And when you apply for a job & they cannot
get accurate info on you,it,s sorry try again.

 

[Fader]

Well, I also recall one fellow transfered from the infantry to signals because he wanted to become an RCMP officer. He said it‘d be easier for him to apply if he already had Top secret security clearence. I‘m hoping I can land an internship job with a civilian company working with/for the CF because I have mine, but that‘s just speculation at this point.