Overview
As a member of the military, Vehicle Technicians maintain, repair, and overhaul land vehicles and related equipment to keep them in top condition. Vehicle Technicians belong to the Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Responsibilities

Inspect, repair, overhaul and modify all types of automotive equipment and components

Repair, adjust and modify automotive systems

Repair, adjust, overhaul and modify powered equipment such as electrical generators and fuel‑fired heating devices

Use and maintain common and specialized tools, basic garage hydraulic, mechanical and pneumatic equipment, and oxyacetylene welding equipment

Carry out the recovery of all types of vehicles used in the land forces, utilizing standard towing trucks and specialized tracked and wheeled recovery vehicles

Drive all types of vehicles ranging from small support wheel vehicles to tank transporters

Prepare and process maintenance documentation dealing with work orders, individual time cards and parts request forms

Perform in land operations, when necessary, fight as infantry

Work Environment
Vehicle Technicians experience the unique adventures and challenges that come with working in different environments. They are employed at bases and stations across Canada and in deployed operations around the world. Workspaces vary from small workshops to outdoor field operations and temporary accommodations. On a base, work may be in confined spaces; in the field or on deployment, work is typically outdoors.

If you choose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. Some flexibility with postings exists, but relocations may be required over a career. If you join the Primary Reserve Force, you will work through a specific reserve unit on a part‑time basis, typically one night per week and some weekends,



with the possibility of full‑time employment.

Vehicle Technicians serve with the Canadian Army, maintaining, repairing, and overhauling land vehicles and related equipment for CAF training and operations.

Entry Plan
Minimum required education: completion of provincial Grade 10 (Secondary 4 in Quebec), including Grade 10 Applied Math or Math 416/CST 4 in Quebec, and Grade 10 Science or equivalent. The ideal candidate will hold a college diploma; the CAF will assess whether the academic program matches training criteria and may place the applicant directly into an on‑the‑job training program following basic training.

Foreign education may be accepted. The CAF may pay successful recruits to attend a diploma program at an approved Canadian college through the Non‑Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Program (NCMSTEP). Students receive a full‑time salary, medical and dental care, and vacation time with full pay in exchange for working with the CAF for a period of time.

Training
Basic Military Qualification (Basic Training) is held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu, Quebec. This course provides core skills common to all trades and ensures recruits meet CAF physical fitness standards.

Vehicle Technicians then attend the Canadian Forces Logistic Training Centre in Borden, Ontario for four weeks of driver training, covering a wide range of commercial and military‑pattern vehicles up to a three‑ton capacity.

Following driver training,



technicians attend the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers School for approximately 30 weeks, receiving instruction, demonstration, and practical work in:

Principles and operating characteristics of internal combustion engines

Repair and overhaul of typical engines and vehicle components

Common and special tools and electronic test equipment

Basic garage equipment

Oxyacetylene welding equipment

Automotive systems

Operating light tracked vehicles

Applicants enrolled under NCMSTEP may complete part or all of their Basic Occupational Qualification Training at an approved Canadian college.

Vehicle Technicians can develop specialized skills through formal courses and on‑the‑job training, including advanced training courses such as:

Instructional techniques

Northern terrain vehicle maintenance

Engineering and ground support equipment maintenance

Armoured vehicle launched bridge/armoured engineering vehicle maintenance

Recovery vehicle maintenance

Leopard C1/A2 main battle tank

Leopard armoured recovery vehicle maintenance and recovery

Part‑Time Options
This position is available for part‑time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time at a military unit in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during training and are not required to relocate, though they may volunteer to move to another base or deploy on a military mission within or outside Canada.

Part‑time Reserve members receive 92.8% of Regular Force pay rates, a reasonable advantages package, and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.

Related Careers

Mobile Support Equipment Operator

Aviation Systems Technician

Avionics Systems Technician

#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Vehicle Technician (British Columbia)
🏢 Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes
📍 British Columbia