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Education Requirements for Canadian Forces


When exploring law enforcement options as a career, one of the most rewarding and beneficial careers is becoming a Canadian Armed Forces (or CAF) member. 
 
Your reasons for joining the Canadian Forces might be to serve your country, or it might be to have a meaningful career that will train you for another job after separating from the Forces. Whatever the reason for joining, you probably have some questions.
 
One of the most common questions about joining the Canadian Armed Forces is what type of training or education is required to enlist. We have the answers below!

How Do You Join the Canadian Forces?

Perhaps you have a family member in the Canadian Forces, or you are patriotic and want to serve your country. To join the Canadian Forces, you need to talk to a recruiter.
 
There are two paths in the CAF, joining as an enlisted member or joining as an officer. The path is relatively the same, but the education requirement is different.
 
When deciding to join the Canadian Forces, the first thing to do is see if you are eligible. You can join the CAF as a 16-year-old, but you will need a parent or guardian to give permission; otherwise, you may enter the Forces if you are between 18 and 57. You must also be a Canadian citizen or have the authorization to work in Canada (such as a permanent resident status).
 
The next steps are as follows:

What Education Do You Need?

To join the Canadian Forces, you need a minimum of Secondary IV in Quebec or grade 10 education for the rest of Canada. If you wish to join the Forces as an officer, you need to have or be working toward a Bachelor's Degree.
 
In the case of enlisted members of the CAF, even though a Secondary IV or grade 10 education is the minimum, that will limit the jobs you qualify for.
 
When you meet with a military career counsellor, you will discuss the available positions in the Canadian Forces, and you can choose a job based on your preferences.

Gain Skills in the Canadian Forces

When you become a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, the skills you will gain are sought-after once your contract is over. After you leave basic training, you will be able to take advantage of courses and training possibilities. The technical and analytical skills you acquire during your time in the Forces can be transferred to the civilian world. Your skills could be used for a specific function or career, like intelligence or even plumbing and heating technicians depending upon your job choice.
 
A military career is an excellent choice if you have struggled to find work in your area. The CAF offers a regular paycheque which is a relief when you can't find employment. When you find a CAF job that affords you transferrable skills, you can use them to find another career if you choose to leave the Forces after your contract is finished.

The Benefits of a Canadian Forces Career

A career in the Canadian Forces has many benefits that other occupations, even those in law enforcement, do not offer.
 
You will have access to medical and dental practitioners that provide service to only CAF members or provide preferential treatment. Housing is available in most postings. You will also contribute to a pension and enjoy vacation time, among other benefits. A career in the military is also recession-proof. This means your lifestyle will be secure, no matter how the economy is.
 
Thinking ahead to the future, you can retire with a full pension after 25 years with the CAF. For a 20-year-old, that means you can retire at age 45. This means you have lots of time to start a new career or settle down and enjoy retirement.

How to Get the Trade You Want in the Canadian Armed Forces

When considering a career in the Canadian Armed Forces, you should consider the level of education you have and the job you want to do. The Canadian Forces website is a great resource to discover available jobs and the educational requirement for each open position. If you need to upgrade your education, you can speak to a recruiter to find out exactly how to go about doing so, and you can be on your way to enjoying the great benefits and opportunities that only the Canadian Forces can offer.
 
But, before you can get into job choosing, skill-building, and benefits, you must pass the Canadian Forces Aptitude Test or CFAT. Along with your highest level of education, the aptitude test will determine exactly what military trade or profession you are best suited to in the CAF. Every member of the CAF must pass the CFAT.
 
The higher your CFAT score, the better choice of military trades you will have.
 
The CFAT is a multiple-choice test that measures your verbal skills, problem-solving, and spatial ability. You will also need to answer some mathematical problems.
 
To do as well as you can on the CFAT, you will need to prepare. Police Test Tutor has an online test preparation package containing 1200 practice questions, with tutoring material and solutions that will help you get your best score on the CFAT so that you can have a good choice of Canadian Forces trades.