Electrical Generation Systems Technician

Overview

As a member of the military, Electrical Generation Systems Technicians provides electrical power generation support to operational units.

The Electrical Generation Systems Technician is one of the seven Construction Engineering occupations involved in the supply of all construction, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering services in support of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations worldwide. The primary responsibilities of the Electrical Generation Systems Technicians are to:

• Install, operate, maintain and repair mobile electrical generators and associated control equipment
• Install, operate, maintain and repair power plant electrical generators and associated control equipment
• Install, operate and maintain engine prime movers associated with equipment driven by Construction Engineers
• Install, operate, maintain and repair Static Uninterruptable Power Systems and Rotary Uninterruptable Power Systems
• Overhaul electrical generation systems and equipment
• Produce designs and specifications
• Produce mechanical and electrical drawings
• Perform brazing/welding and machining work

Work environment

Electrical Generation Systems Technicians are members of the Air Force but may be assigned to work in the Army or Navy environment as members of the Construction Engineering team.

If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

Entry plans

• Direct Entry Options

No previous work experience or career related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help you decide if your personal interests and attributes match the criteria for this occupation.

The minimum required education to apply for this occupation is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec including Grade 10 applied math or math 416 / CST 4 in Quebec.

Foreign education may be accepted.

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 Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.

Electrical Generation Systems 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 drawing and schematics
• Physics, mechanical, electrical and electronic principles
• Uninterruptable power systems
• Mobile and fixed electrical generators
• Electrical generation control and monitoring systems
• Prime movers (engines)
• Engine controllers
• Brazing and welding techniques

Electrical Generation Systems Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:

• Operation, maintenance and repair of Uninterruptable power systems
• Electrical switchgear and Programmable logic controllers
• Relocatable temporary camp generator course

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 with a military unit in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during their training. 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.

Electrical Generation Systems Technicians may serve with the Canadian Army or the Royal Canadian Air Force. They are employed to provide electrical power generation support for CAF training and operations. Those employed on a part-time or casual full-time basis usually serve at a military base, wing or unit located within Canada.

Find a Recruiting Centre

Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. They usually begin training with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required basic professional military standards. Following basic military training, occupational training for Electrical Generation Systems Technicians takes approximately 22 weeks and is conducted at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Gagetown, New Brunswick.

Reserve Force members usually serve part-time with their home unit for scheduled evenings and weekends (Air Reserve Electrical Generation Systems Technicians usually serve up to 12 days per month in a regular work day), although they may also serve in full-time positions at some units for fixed terms, depending on the type of work that they do. They are paid 92.8 percent of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.

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