Patrick H,
Yes you can write your ticket 1 1/2 years after completion of QL5 (journeyman level). The cost of the test (250 bucks in NB) is reimbursed by the BPSO (80% of the cost). Being a tradesman in the military is good because you can be involved with different projects. (you on civvies street ,you may work in the residential only, or being a skilled pipe bender, but no troubleshooting to do, you might be working on large scale projects (doing the same stuff all the time).
We are involved with estimating, project management, execution of the work, from A to Z basically... Most of the time, if you're in charge of the project, you decide of the way to go, type of material... ED Techs do the pole climbing course ,high voltage, fire alarm, runway lighting systems , drafting ,plus the regular electrician training
Two types of posting: Air Force bases, where you do mostly maintenance, and Army bases, mostly projects (building upgrades, new construction, some community involvements "charity causes" like Habitat for Humanity, and the like.
You go overseas too. Camp building (roto 0), maintenance on existing camps, you could go to CFS ALERT (not overseas, but a good experience, to maintain the station up there).
You might deploy with your buddies (Carpenters ,Plumbers, Refrigeration mechanics EGS Techs...) or on your own ,to replace somebody who's ending his 6 months ROTO.
The School (CFB GAGETOWN, NB) has a lot of facilities ,the indoor training area is good to go...
I assume that if you complete your level 1 and you join as ED TECH, they might write off a part of the QL3 course. Then you go back to the School for you QL5 (journeyman), then QL6A (MCPL or SGT, section commander/project supervisor) then QL6B (Warrant officer-Project manager).
The tradesmens belongs to the Engineers ,not the EMEs though.
FCS TECH seems to be a god job too, your electrical back ground would help you, but get the facts from them dudes...
Hope it helps!
Delavan
