Post-Military Employment
Every year, approximately 5,000 military members transition out of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). While the CAF tries to retain as many members as possible, the CAF Transition Services Program assist CAF members in making the transition to the civilian workforce.
CAF Transition Services Program
The Program consists of a wide variety of initiatives and is focused on preparing members for a second career. The Transition Services Program also connects releasing military members with potential civilian employers, continuing education, vocational training, entrepreneurial opportunities, and other second career possibilities.
For more information please visit CAF Transition Services Program website.
Several Not-For-Profit Organizations offer transition employment assistance:
- Military Employment Transition Program– Provided in cooperation with Canada Company, the Military Employment Transition Program serves as a one-stop web portal for all things related to transition for serving CAF members and veterans. The Military Employment Transition Program educates prospective employers, including private and public sector organizations on the benefits of hiring veterans. It also connects employers to the retiring CAF population and potential employees. Any CAF member or veteran can open an account on the Military Employment Transition Program website and search for relevant programs, services, and employment opportunities.
- Prince’s Charities (Operation Entrepreneur)– As part of the Prince’s Charities Canada, Operation Entrepreneur is for transitioning CAF members interested in realizing their dreams of entrepreneurship. It offers CAF members the education, financing, and mentoring needed to start and sustain their own successful business. For more information, visit the Operation Entrepreneur
- Helmets to Hardhats– Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) Canada is a partnership with Canada’s Building Trades Unions, including many employers across Canada, and government stakeholders. The program offers apprenticeship opportunities to achieve a journeyperson qualification in the building and construction trade of one’s choice, as well as potential opportunities in other management positions within this industry, all-leading to a promising new career. For more information, please visit the Helmets to Hardhats
- Canadian Franchise Association– Canadian Franchise Association is working with the CAF to launch a veterans program assisting military personnel transitioning out of the military who are interested in becoming a franchise owner. For more information, please visit the Canadian Franchise Association
- Forces @ Work: Sustainable Job Placement Trial Project– Managed by the Calgary-based non-profit organization, Prospect Human Services, Forces @ Work is a hands on personal career service designed to explore career goals, assess a member’s ‘wants and needs’ for a second career, identify gaps in training, manage expectations, and match transitioning CAF members with civilian careers. While a two-year trial is currently being conducted in Edmonton, the intent is to expand the service nationally. The project offers placement services, retention services, as well as ongoing career and cultural transition support. The program was developed with input from military members for military members. For more information please visit the Forces @ Work