The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is taking a focused and deliberate approach to attracting Canadians to Your Air Force, which includes two new initiatives: the implementation of the Air Operations Support Technician (AOS Tech) trade as part of Regular Force employment, and the expansion of the paid education entry plan through the Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan (NCMSTEP) to include Aircraft Structures Technician (ACS Tech).
AOS Tech was previously a reserve career path only; however, this has now been expanded to include a Regular Force full-time career option.
Regular Force AOS Techs will begin their Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) careers as servicing technicians supporting aircraft maintenance programs (e.g., aircraft startup and parking, fueling, towing, inspections, assisting with scheduled maintenance and repairs).
After gaining experience in this role, AOS Techs can continue to progress in rank as servicing technicians or pursue other progression opportunities such as: Employment and Training, Aircraft Maintenance Control and Records, Quality Management, Project Management, Occupation Management, and more.
AOS Tech postings are located across Canada, wherever RCAF aircraft are located.
The RCAF offers paid education entry plans for technicians in three different career paths: Avionic Systems Technicians, Aviation Systems Technicians, and the newly added ACS Tech.
Opportunities also exist for other occupations in the CAF.
To become a technician in the RCAF, NCMSTEP is an entry plan option that covers college tuition and the costs for program essentials, such as tools and personal protective equipment.
Students accepted into NCMSTEP also earn an annual salary so they can focus on becoming skilled technicians. Upon graduation, accepted students will hone their skills on a specific type of aircraft in the RCAF.
NCMSTEP is available at 14 aviation colleges across Canada. In September 2024, the RCAF’s Air Maintenance Branch Air Attractions Team undertook a cross-country tour of 12 Canadian technical colleges to promote air technician career opportunities in the RCAF.
“Getting the word out on Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) career opportunities is a priority for us,” said Col Lisa Reimer, director air personnel strategy, National Capital Region.
“We have created a dedicated Attractions Team to work with our partners in recruiting and other stakeholders to find innovative ways to draw Canadians and permanent residents to the RCAF. This includes optimizing available recruiting incentives to attract new aviators. The Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan is one of the programs that we are leveraging to do just that.”
“The establishment of the Regular Force Air Operations Support Technician (AOS Tech) occupation will be a game-changing shift for us that will directly support Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) operations in Canada and around the world. It is an opportunity to swiftly join the RCAF team and contribute to air establishments across the country by working alongside aircraft technicians and aircrew, servicing aircraft on the flight line. I can’t wait to welcome our new Regular Force AOS Tech teammates to the RCAF aircraft maintenance community,” said Col Wes Cunningham, Director A4 Maintenance, 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters, Winnipeg.
“We embarked on an incredible cross-country journey in September, and it was nothing short of amazing! Our Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) team, featuring skilled aircrew and technicians from Greenwood, Bagotville, Petawawa, Moose Jaw, Cold Lake, Esquimalt and Comox, and specialist recruiters across Canada, worked seamlessly to make this tour a success. The welcome we received at every college we visited was astounding, providing us with an opportunity to engage with aviation and high school students to convey our personal career stories. This was a rare and great opportunity to showcase the RCAF, our people, and our careers,” Sgt Christine Plume, Air Maintenance Branch Air Attractions Team, Detachment Ottawa.
“Recruiting for specific occupations within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is a formidable challenge. The partnership from specialist teams like those engaged with the Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan tour has proved to be a game changer in our recruitment efforts. This operation not only caught the attention of many but also translated into a significant surge in applications to the CAF, particularly in air maintenance fields that often fall outside the conventional perceptions of military service,” said Sgt Trevor Christopherson, Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre, Detachment Regina.
“It was a great experience having my Aunt Lisa enrol me into the Royal Canadian Air Force. I’ve been enjoying the aircraft maintenance program at Fanshawe College, and I’m grateful for all that the Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan has to offer. I encourage anyone looking to get a head start on their career to consider it,” said Aviator Isaac Netherton, Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan student attending Fanshawe College, London, Ont.
Do you know someone interested in a career in the RCAF? The RCAF team is standing by to address all questions related to this program at RCAFSpecialistRecruiter-RecruteurSpecialisedeLARC@forces.gc.ca or for more information visit
https://forces.ca/en/paid-education/ncmstep
Quick Facts
- The RCAF has 28 different career paths to choose from.
- AOS Tech is a new career opportunity in the Regular Force that has existed in the Reserve Force since June 2019.
- The NCMSTEP is currently accepting applications for Avionics Systems Technicians, Aviation Systems Technicians and recently added ACS Tech.
- As of November 2024, there are 81 people enrolled in the NCMSTEP for the RCAF.
- The NCMSTEP is a competitive application process. An applicant may be a person with or without prior CAF service; or a non-commissioned member in the Regular Force or the Reserve Force. Find out more at the links below.
This press release was prepared and distributed by the Department of National Defence.
