I want to build a case and submit a request to my Subsidized Education Manager to complete a co-op engineering degree (as opposed to an engineering degree without co-op work terms), which would delay my graduation and achievement of OFP by one year.
I would appreciate feedback on presenting a clear, concise, and persuasive request.
Below are descriptions of the circumstances for my trade which detail a potential deficiency in my early career development, reference to a policy which states that a subsidized education student in my trade (AERE) may be allowed to enter a co-op program, arguments which I think may be persuasive, why I want to do this, and what my past experience in and out of the CAF is.
I have been advised that:
1) there are minimal positions available for a first posting at a flying unit or 2nd line unit where I would gain familiarity with the shop floor and technicians working on aircraft.
2) My prior experience may make it less likely for me to get posted to one of these roles, instead going to Ottawa.
3) AERE is among the trades in which students may be approved for co-op
I see my case as:
1) My career will benefit from greater familiarity with airframes, project work, and working with aerospace-related companies.
2) My university's engineering co-op has a significant track-record of aerospace engineering co-op placements
3) Following completion of all of my university's aerospace-related tech electives this academic year with over 12 months of co-op employment at an aerospace company will both improve my potential learning on APP1 and help me excel in my aerospace engineering year-long capstone project in my final year of studies. Getting more out of my last year of engineering school will, in turn, make me a better aerospace engineering officer.
4) While I have no guarantees of specific co-op placements for May 2026 (when I would start approximately one year of work experience) a year in advance, I do have one explicit message from a local aerospace company expressing that "my experience could be a valuable asset to their team" and encouraging me to consider them for my placement next year. I am seeking another such statement from Cascade Aerospace, which performs life extension and overhaul work on Hercs.
5) I have a competitive advantage over all of my peers in co-op, in that I am the only candidate that employers do not have to pay. The CAF pays me, which combined with my transferrable skills from my prior career and doing all of my work terms in one shot, giving companies a free employee that can be productive with minimal supervision.
My reasoning for pushing this:
As there is a significant chance that I'll never get to a flying unit, I'd like whatever experience I can closer to airframes to inform my roles supporting them and aircrew.
Context:
I am UTPNCM AERE (civilian university) with at least 2 academic years of coursework left to complete, with no outstanding military courses or other requirements beyond APP1 (OJE, restricted to the summer prior to my last year of university), APP2 (OJE, restricted to the summer after completing university), and AOBC (6 month AERE Officer Basic Course, which I will take after APP2).
I'm otherwise doing OJE unrelated to my trade. Last year, my BTL-assigned role was supernumerary to an OR, which at least allowed me to knock off my CAFJODs and every relevant DL I or BTL could identify. This year, I was more effective in advocating for a responsible role, and I'm able to run a couple of key technical projects.
My prior service is as an army Signal Operator. Deployment in-trade, former course director with experience instructing trades, leadership, recruit, first aid, and driver wheel courses. My responsibilities within CAF have included project management, requests for proposals, evaluation of bids, estimating, quartermaster tasks, and staffwork. Outside of CAF, drafting, machining, welding, electronics troubleshooting, documentation, and technical communications.
I believe I can sell my experience to potential employers which can benefit the CAF, including ex-AERE senior staff at Cascade, if I can just get permission to join the co-op program.
I would appreciate feedback on presenting a clear, concise, and persuasive request.
Below are descriptions of the circumstances for my trade which detail a potential deficiency in my early career development, reference to a policy which states that a subsidized education student in my trade (AERE) may be allowed to enter a co-op program, arguments which I think may be persuasive, why I want to do this, and what my past experience in and out of the CAF is.
I have been advised that:
1) there are minimal positions available for a first posting at a flying unit or 2nd line unit where I would gain familiarity with the shop floor and technicians working on aircraft.
2) My prior experience may make it less likely for me to get posted to one of these roles, instead going to Ottawa.
3) AERE is among the trades in which students may be approved for co-op
I see my case as:
1) My career will benefit from greater familiarity with airframes, project work, and working with aerospace-related companies.
2) My university's engineering co-op has a significant track-record of aerospace engineering co-op placements
3) Following completion of all of my university's aerospace-related tech electives this academic year with over 12 months of co-op employment at an aerospace company will both improve my potential learning on APP1 and help me excel in my aerospace engineering year-long capstone project in my final year of studies. Getting more out of my last year of engineering school will, in turn, make me a better aerospace engineering officer.
4) While I have no guarantees of specific co-op placements for May 2026 (when I would start approximately one year of work experience) a year in advance, I do have one explicit message from a local aerospace company expressing that "my experience could be a valuable asset to their team" and encouraging me to consider them for my placement next year. I am seeking another such statement from Cascade Aerospace, which performs life extension and overhaul work on Hercs.
5) I have a competitive advantage over all of my peers in co-op, in that I am the only candidate that employers do not have to pay. The CAF pays me, which combined with my transferrable skills from my prior career and doing all of my work terms in one shot, giving companies a free employee that can be productive with minimal supervision.
My reasoning for pushing this:
As there is a significant chance that I'll never get to a flying unit, I'd like whatever experience I can closer to airframes to inform my roles supporting them and aircrew.
Context:
I am UTPNCM AERE (civilian university) with at least 2 academic years of coursework left to complete, with no outstanding military courses or other requirements beyond APP1 (OJE, restricted to the summer prior to my last year of university), APP2 (OJE, restricted to the summer after completing university), and AOBC (6 month AERE Officer Basic Course, which I will take after APP2).
I'm otherwise doing OJE unrelated to my trade. Last year, my BTL-assigned role was supernumerary to an OR, which at least allowed me to knock off my CAFJODs and every relevant DL I or BTL could identify. This year, I was more effective in advocating for a responsible role, and I'm able to run a couple of key technical projects.
My prior service is as an army Signal Operator. Deployment in-trade, former course director with experience instructing trades, leadership, recruit, first aid, and driver wheel courses. My responsibilities within CAF have included project management, requests for proposals, evaluation of bids, estimating, quartermaster tasks, and staffwork. Outside of CAF, drafting, machining, welding, electronics troubleshooting, documentation, and technical communications.
I believe I can sell my experience to potential employers which can benefit the CAF, including ex-AERE senior staff at Cascade, if I can just get permission to join the co-op program.
