Canadian Forces accepting fewer recruits
CBC News
Posted: Oct 13, 2011 1:37 PM AT Last Updated: Oct 13, 2011 3:51 PM AT
The Canadian Forces are accepting just over half the applications they normally would in a year, and unless the applicants have certain specific skills, they are being told to try again later.
Out of 100 categories of jobs or trades in the Forces, only 13 list current openings, including dentists, musicians and social workers.
The military normally recruits around 5,000 people in a year. This year, it expects to recruit only 2,800.
“For this year we have pretty much accomplished our raw numbers,” Lt.-Cmdr. Robert Bedard, a military recruiter, said Wednesday.
Fewer recruits are needed because fewer members are leaving the military and more reservists are switching to regular forces.
The application process is also highly competitive.
Kyle Warkington, who is studying to be a nurse, said he knows his application may not be accepted for as much as a year.
“It’s not just come sign up and you are on your way,” he said.
Bedard offered a suggestion to applicants such as Warkington.
“The thing to do is to keep continuing their education and improve the skills that we’re looking for,” he said.
