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What They Do
Plumbing and Heating Technicians provide plumbing and heating engineering support to operational units at home and abroad.
The Plumbing and Heating Technician job is one of seven Construction Engineering positions involved in the supply of all construction, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering services in support of Canadian Forces operations worldwide. The primary responsibilities of the Plumbing and Heating Technician are to:
- Install and maintain interior plumbing systems
- Install and maintain interior water supply systems
- Install and maintain heating systems
- Install and maintain fire suppression systems
- Install and maintain gaseous fuel systems
- Install and maintain oil burning equipment
- Produce related designs and specifications
- Produce related drawings
- Install and maintain field ablution facilities
Career Development
The starting salary for a fully-trained Plumbing and Heating Technician is $49,400 per year; however, depending on previous experience and training the starting salary may be higher. Plumbing and Heating Technicians who demonstrate the required ability, dedication and potential are selected for opportunities for career progression, promotion and advanced training.
The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Forces physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.
Plumbing and Heating Technicians attend the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Gagetown, New Brunswick. Training takes approximately 22 weeks and includes:
- Environmental skills such as defensive tactics and firearms
- Care and use of common and special purpose tools and test equipment
- Application of occupational codes and regulations
- Interpretation of drawings and schematics
- Brazing and welding techniques
- Low pressure hot water heating systems
- Forced hot air heating systems
- Plumbing systems
- Interior water and sewage systems
- Low pressure natural gas fuel systems
- Chemistry, fluids, heating and mechanics
Plumbing and Heating Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:
- Specialty Heating Systems
- Water Distribution Systems
- Instructional Techniques
The minimum required education to apply for this position is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondaire IV in Canada. Foreign education may be accepted.
* This occupation is available part-time online within the Air Force.
This position is available for part-time employment through the Reserves. Reservists generally work part-time for a Reserve unit in their community. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.
Reservists train with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required professional standards of the job. If additional training is required in order to specialize skills, arrangements will be made by the home unit.
It is also possible to set up an “Individual Learning Plan” to take courses leading to a college diploma related to this job, and upon successful completion, be reimbursed for up to 50% of tuition and other mandatory costs. Education fees for successfully completed courses are reimbursed as long as the student was a Reservist during the entire duration of the course.
Typically, Reservists work or train with their home unit for at least four evenings and one weekend per month, from September to May of each year. They are paid 85% of Regular Force rates of pay and receive a reasonable benefits package.
