Main content
What They Do
Vehicle Technicians maintain, repair, and overhaul land vehicles and related equipment to keep them in top condition. Vehicle Technicians belong to the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Branch of the Canadian Forces.
A Vehicle Technician has the following 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 jeeps 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
Working Environment
Vehicle Technicians experience the unique adventures and challenges that come with working in different environments. Vehicle Technicians are employed at bases and stations across Canada and on deployed operations around the world. While on a base, they may be working in small spaces, like a workshop. In the field or on deployment they may work outdoors most of the time or in temporary accommodations.
Career Development
The starting salary for a fully-trained Vehicle Technician is $49,400 per year; however, depending on previous experience and training the starting salary may be higher. Vehicle 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.
After Basic Training, Army recruits go to a Military Training centre for the Soldier Qualification course for approximately one month, which covers the following topics:
- Army Physical Fitness
- Dismounted Offensive and Defensive Operations
- Reconnaissance Patrolling
- Advanced Weapons Handling
- Individual Field Craft
Vehicle Technicians attend the Canadian Forces School of Administration and Logistics in Borden, Ontario for four weeks of Driver Training. Driver Training for Vehicle Technicians covers a wide range of commercial and military-pattern vehicles up to a three-ton capacity.
Following Driver Training, they attend the Canadian Forces School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Over approximately 30 weeks to receive a combination of theory instruction, demonstrations and practical work, on the following subjects:
- 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
Vehicle Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including further technical training. Supervisor and Manager level training is also available.
As they progress in their career, Vehicle Technicians who demonstrate the required ability and potential will be offered advanced training. Available courses include:
- 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 Main Battle Tank
- Leopard ArmouredRecovery Vehicle Maintenance and Recovery
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.
If you already have a college diploma, the Canadian Forces will decide if your academic program matches the training criteria for this job and may place you directly into the any required on-the-job training program following basic training. Basic training and military occupation training is required before being assigned.
Non-commissioned Member Subsidized Education Program.
Because this position requires specialty training, the Canadian Forces will pay successful recruits to attend the diploma program at an approved Canadian college. NCM SEP students attend basic training and on-the-job training during the summer months. They receive full-time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full-pay in exchange for working with the Canadian Forces for a period of time. If you choose to apply to this program, you must apply both to the Canadian Forces and the appropriate college. For more information, click on Paid College.
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.
