Update on Current Requirements for Joining the CF and open Direct Entry Trades

[Otis]

Just an update for everyone interested in joining the CF or who knows someone interested:

For the last few months, CFRC's have been accepting applications from Permanent Resident's of Canada as per direction from CFRGHQ.

Due to some unforeseen complications in the Background Check processes, it has been decided that we will no longer be accepting applications from PR's as it would be giving false hope that an offer may be forthcoming when this cannot be completed in a timely manner.

I will update everyone when the situation changes.

In other news: some Trades have recently been opened to direct entry.

SAR Tech, Geo Tech and AESOP have all (fairly) recently been opened to direct entry (though require some specialized prerequisites ... see your local CFRC for more info) and MP has recently allowed for entry with a diploma other than Police Foundations (again, see your local CFRC for more info, as I can't remember the new allowable diploma off the top of my head)

In some NON news: FireFighter, Pilot, Logistics Officer and Image Tech trades are still closed for entry (as of today ... this could always change without notice) due to an overabundance of applicants and a lack of training facilities / resources. 

Any questions about the above can be directed to me, as I am the person responsible for attempting to keep on top of and distribute any new information coming from command WRT recruiting policies / directives for CFRC Toronto's recruiters (for now ... postings and/or job descriptions may change without notice!)

Otis

 

[British Army]

For the last few months, CFRC's have been accepting applications from Permanent Resident's of Canada as per direction from CFRGHQ.

Due to some unforeseen complications in the Background Check processes, it has been decided that we will no longer be accepting applications from PR's as it would be giving false hope that an offer may be forthcoming when this cannot be completed in a timely manner.

Do you know if this will have any affect on serving foreign mil applicants? As I understand it the applications have normally been processed even when PR is still 'pending.' Once the PR is granted (and provided the applicant is accepted by the CF) the enlistment goes ahead under a waiver of citizenship. I am not a PR yet, although I have applied, and my PLAR was started on Monday - hopefully that means it's going through OK? I wouldn't think background checks will present the same type of problems as they do for others, due to the security requirments and history from my present employment (British Army).

 

[Otis]

Do you know if this will have any affect on serving foreign mil applicants? As I understand it the applications have normally been processed even when PR is still 'pending.' Once the PR is granted (and provided the applicant is accepted by the CF) the enlistment goes ahead under a waiver of citizenship. I am not a PR yet, although I have applied, and my PLAR was started on Monday - hopefully that means it's going through OK? I wouldn't think background checks will present the same type of problems as they do for others, due to the security requirements and history from my present employment (British Army).

To tell you the truth, I'm not entirely sure of the process for Foreign Mil Applicants or if this change in policy affects them at all.

My suggestion is to contact the CFRC you've been dealing with and ask about the current status of your application.

 

[poiriernb]

Hi Otis, is it possible for you to tell us which trades are in "high" demand? I am joining as an officer and I was told the only position they could offer me was for artillery officer.  I did decide to accept it, I just found it strange how they couldn't offer me armour or infantry?  I am guessing arty was in high demand, and it did greatly speed up my recruiting process and arty turned out to be the optimal choice!  So if there is anything in demand, is it possible to notify us?

 

[foxtrot]

Hi Otis, is it possible for you to tell us which trades are in "high" demand? I am joining as an officer and I was told the only position they could offer me was for artillery officer.  I did decide to accept it, I just found it strange how they couldn't offer me armour or infantry?  I am guessing arty was in high demand, and it did greatly speed up my recruiting process and arty turned out to be the optimal choice!  So if there is anything in demand, is it possible to notify us?

I'm not Otis but I would think it would be safe to assume that their the hot jobs on the forces recruiting site

 

[Otis]

Hi Otis, is it possible for you to tell us which trades are in "high" demand? I am joining as an officer and I was told the only position they could offer me was for artillery officer.  I did decide to accept it, I just found it strange how they couldn't offer me armour or infantry?  I am guessing arty was in high demand, and it did greatly speed up my recruiting process and arty turned out to be the optimal choice!  So if there is anything in demand, is it possible to notify us?

Foxtrot is correct that the website WOULD be a good place to start, but it isn't kept as up-to-date as the CFRC's information.

Having said that, I don't have the information here at home, and I am reluctant to say, as I wouldn't want to mislead someone reading this thread five months from now ...


I do question however poiriernb, what CFRC are you dealing with? Not having access to your file, I question why you would be told that Arty was the only thing available to you... are you joining RegF or Res? If you are joining a Res unit, then you would be expected to be an officer OF the trade of that unit (you can't be an Infantry Officer in an Armoured unit) ...  but all of the Operational Officer trades are currently in demand in the RegF ...

The BEST thing to do is either call the CFRC or the 1-800 number to get the most up-to-date information, OR go to the website and chat online with a live recruiter (you'll be talking to the guys in the Call Centre in North Bay if you go online)

Failing that ... you could always call us in Toronto ... we're very straight up and forthcoming with people and we'll tell you what's what and why ... if there's a reason you're only eligible for ArtyO, we'll tell you (IF we can see your file to be able to give you an honest answer) ... we'll also very bluntly tell you if trades are available or not.

 

[British Army]

To tell you the truth, I'm not entirely sure of the process for Foreign Mil Applicants or if this change in policy affects them at all.

My suggestion is to contact the CFRC you've been dealing with and ask about the current status of your application.

I took your advice today and spoke to my recruiter:

Quote: 'as a serving UK NCO with security clearance you will not be effected........ 

.............The problem comes with trying to get security clearance for non Canadian from countries that Canada does not have close relationships with in the security world.'

 

[Otis]

SO, I've decided to list some hot jobs as requested, with a few caveats:

1) These are jobs that I have a reasonable expectation will have spots available for a while - it is not an extensive list of jobs available;

2) This list is effective 19 JUNE 2009 and may or may not be accurate any other day; and,

3) I don't want to hear back that you asked for a trade based on this list and couldn't get it!

NCM Hot Jobs:

Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Tech
Artillery (Field)
Combat Engineer
Armoured Crewman
Infantry Soldier (all three regiments)
Land Communication and Information Tech
Marine Engineering Mechanic
Medical Technician
Mobile Equipment Support Operator
Naval Communicator
Naval Weapons tech
Resource Management Support Clerk
Supply technician
Vehicle technician

Officer Trades (Direct Entry)

Aerospace Control
Air Combat Systems
Artillery
Construction Engineer
Land Engineer
Marine Systems Engineer
Maritime Surface and SubSurface
Naval Combat Systems Engineer
Nurse
Pharmacy
Signals

Good Luck, and remember that the most up-to-date information will be at your local CFRC!

Otis

 

[Doom]

NCM Hot Jobs:

Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Tech
Artillery (Field)
Combat Engineer
Armoured Crewman
Infantry Soldier (all three regiments)
Land Communication and Information Tech
Marine Engineering Mechanic
Medical Technician
Mobile Equipment Support Operator
Naval Communicator
Naval Weapons tech
Resource Management Support Clerk
Supply technician
Vehicle technician

Officer Trades (Direct Entry)

Aerospace Control
Air Combat Systems
Artillery
Construction Engineer
Land Engineer
Marine Systems Engineer
Maritime Surface and SubSurface
Naval Combat Systems Engineer
Nurse
Pharmacy
Signals

Curious, what determines a hot job? how many people are entering the trade Via bmq?

 

[George Wallace]

Hot Jobs are those that are open and crying for people.  If they have lots of applicants, and have filled their "quota", then they need not be recruiting and are no longer "Hot".

 

[Doom]

ah so its one of those things, you can only feed the fire until there is no more wood.

 

[Dejo]

Hi,
Thanks for the piece of advise about PR, and some other trades, like Pilot which I am pursuing at the moment. I applied thr' ceotp, apt done and Pre-sec but the moment the Pilot trades is closed, 2009. Although I have been advise to pick another option that I have good chances, I am in final yr of BSc Elec Eng. My question are
1) if I pick any trade now, will I be able to move back to Pilot trades later on and how long will that be. Also which trades is good that will allow transfer probably within Airforce component.
2) About Pilot being closed, pls enlighten me how it is being implemented. say there is opening for Pilot this year 2009, when will the announcement comes out. I want to know whether it will be implemented immediately, this year or next year. How is the trade being opened distributed as to when it is announce and when it is implemented.
3) When is the next Trades opening be announced, I am preparing for next year 2010 as I will finish my degree in April 2010, and I can still wait till then. I love the Pilot job that I am not too please to take another option. That is what I want to do and be.
I will appreciate your good advise, thanks

 

[Otis]

If you pick another trade now, there IS the possibility of switching later on (it's called a re-muster) HOWEVER, remuster's are not automatic, not guaranteed, there is a selection process involved and you usually have to complete the initial contract prior to being able to apply.

I wish I could tell you how the implementation of selection for closed trades works. I WORK in a CFRC and I don't exactly understand the process. Having said that however, I can confidently say that there will be no openings for pilot. We haven't enrolled anyone as a DEO Pilot in three years ... just ROTP applicants.

Trade numbers come out in April and are usually revised in June/July. again, I highly doubt Pilot will be open any time in the next few years.

 

[PuckChaser]

NCM Hot Jobs:

Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Tech
Artillery (Field)
Combat Engineer
Armoured Crewman
Infantry Soldier (all three regiments)
Land Communication and Information Tech
Marine Engineering Mechanic
Medical Technician
Mobile Equipment Support Operator
Naval Communicator
Naval Weapons tech
Resource Management Support Clerk
Supply technician
Vehicle technician

SigOp isn't on there? We're so red I'm fairly certain only 2 or 3 people can OT out a year. We're in the same boat as LCIS.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

Maybe Sig Op has a whack of folks on the BTL list (somewhere between *accepted the offer at CFRC and part of the TES #s*)?

Its a complete guess on my part but maybe they are closer to reaching the #s for Sig Op on this years SIP than the other MOCs listed, so they list those on the "hot jobs" instead?

 

[gcclarke]

Yes, I was also rather suprised to not see any of the Naval Engineering Tech trades on there, especially the Sonar Techs, who were at the end of the last fiscal year at 35.7% below PML, and only hit 41% of their recruiting target for 08/09.

 

[Otis]

Like I said, the list was not meant to be extensive ... I took a very quick look at the list and gave a sampling.

In reality, Sig Op is still in high demand.

NET's are short trade-wise, but the intake is limited due to the bottle-neck in the training system. We are however actively recruiting NCM SEP NET's, to try to alleviate the strain on the trade (bring in skilled electronics people who only need Military training and training on the specific kit)

I am still not wasting band-width with an extensive list ... if you or friends are interested in certain trades, go see a recruiter.

Otis

 

[Good2Go]

Hi,
Thanks for the piece of advise about PR, and some other trades, like Pilot which I am pursuing at the moment. I applied thr' ceotp, apt done and Pre-sec but the moment the Pilot trades is closed, 2009. Although I have been advise to pick another option that I have good chances, I am in final yr of BSc Elec Eng. My question are
1) if I pick any trade now, will I be able to move back to Pilot trades later on and how long will that be. Also which trades is good that will allow transfer probably within Airforce component.
2) About Pilot being closed, pls enlighten me how it is being implemented. say there is opening for Pilot this year 2009, when will the announcement comes out. I want to know whether it will be implemented immediately, this year or next year. How is the trade being opened distributed as to when it is announce and when it is implemented.
3) When is the next Trades opening be announced, I am preparing for next year 2010 as I will finish my degree in April 2010, and I can still wait till then. I love the Pilot job that I am not too please to take another option. That is what I want to do and be.
I will appreciate your good advise, thanks

I'm NOT a recruiter NOR am I privy to current stats, HOWEVER I can tell you that CFLRS is full of ROTP (RMC / civ uni) recruits right now.  On the ROTP civ uni side of things there are plt with about 50% airforce (pilots) and these OCdts do NOT yet have a set occ.  The grand majority are cat as "General Officers" with an initial element based on what they WANT to be (about 50% airforce as stated above). 

No word as to when they will actually get their occ decided and much discussion as to how this will be determined (eg uni transcripts/performance at BMOQ/coin toss).  As such, these airforce beret wearing OCdts are at CFLRS doing the entire BMOQ on blind faith that they will get the coveted pilot positions.  Believe me when I say that there are far more pilot candidates at CFLRS right now than the CF has aviation apparatus to deal with said candidates.  It is well known amongst these OCdts that they are not all getting pilot.  When the decision finally comes down fr the highers there will be more than a few tears and VRs.

I reiterate I am NOT a recruiter.  But this situation is well known at CFLRS.  I have no idea what is going on with the RMC recruits; I suspect that the OCdts that signed "pilot" paperwork at enrollment are G2G.

FYI CF fiscal year ends 31 Mar.  New numbers (generally) come out in Apr.  However, and please note that I am NOT a recruiter, this summer's mess up with all of the pilot OCdts and not enough spots may spill over into the next fiscal year's numbers (remember that many of these OCdts have just finished yr 1 of a 4 yr degree).

You have a very, very good forthcoming degree.  Have you not considered some of the extremely interesting engineering trades in the CF?  I can't imagine anything more fascinating (prolly cause I'm in it!).  But enough of the recruiting speil since I am NOT a recruiter.

To sum up:  I am NOT trying to discourage you fr being a pilot; however, I am pointing out that it is extremely difficult at this time due to the (seemingly) over enrolment.  Why not explore the engineering options a bit more closely?  You will well be able to afford learning how to fly a helicopter on the side (wink!).

Just my 2p.

 

[Otis]

I'm NOT a recruiter NOR am I privy to current stats, HOWEVER I can tell you that CFLRS is full of ROTP (RMC / civ uni) recruits right now.  On the ROTP civ uni side of things there are plt with about 50% airforce (pilots) and these OCdts do NOT yet have a set occ.  The grand majority are cat as "General Officers" with an initial element based on what they WANT to be (about 50% airforce as stated above). 
{quote edited for brevity}

Thank-you Thank-you Thank-you! I AM a recruiter, and after only one year, I am SO sick of saying, "no, you cannot be a {select trade name / job / tasking from list - Pilot, Firefighter, Intelligence Officer, Public Affairs Officer, Personnel Selection Officer, Sniper, JTF2-Super-Soldier-Attack-Team-Superhero}"

As a Recruiter, if someone insists, we have to let them apply, regardless of how hopeless their chances - those are the rules. Of course, when that someone then complains two years later because they still haven't been offered a job, the Recruiters are the ones to blame, because WE 'lied' to them ... they always seem to forget the hours-long conversation about how the trade is closed and won't have any openings anytime in the near future ...

OK, I'm done ... thanks for letting me rant! Back to the topic at hand - Who wants to become a Naval Electronics Tech?? Anyone? Bueller?

 

[Magic]

I watched my ROTP hopes crumble this year due to some administrative carelessness. Is pilot still open for ROTP but closed for DEO?

I am starting the CAMP program at Western this coming September. Will my application be treated seriously since this program is heavily favored by the DND for ROTP pilot cadets when/if pilot becomes open?