Why is my occupation of choice not listed on occupations selections?

[canadian32]

I started researching the Imagery Technician position and it is my dream job. However when I went to fill out my online CAF application and I had to select my preference occupations it was not listed. Is this a hard occupation to get into? One of the other occupations I selected was an "In demand" job. Does that mean they're going to get me to do the in demand job? Or do I still have a chance to do the occupation I really want to do, even though it is not listed. Can you switch careers within the Forces? Or are you stuck doing the job you were selected for.

 

[Winds]

canadian32, Image Tech was not listed as the CAF does not plan to hire any RegF Image Techs during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020/2021. It is a small trade and the number of positions available each year varies. This year (FY 2019/2020) there was a total of 9 positions, which have all been filled.

It is possible to change occupations after joining but members are not eligible to apply for a "Voluntary Occupation Transfer" until after 4 years of service. It is not recommended to join in an occupation unless you could see yourself staying in that trade.

 

[canadian32]

canadian32, Image Tech was not listed as the CAF does not plan to hire any RegF Image Techs during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020/2021. It is a small trade and the number of positions available each year varies. This year (FY 2019/2020) there was a total of 9 positions, which have all been filled.

It is possible to change occupations after joining but members are not eligible to apply for a "Voluntary Occupation Transfer" until after 4 years of service. It is not recommended to join in an occupation unless you could see yourself staying in that trade.

Thank you for the reply, that was very helpful!

 

[TheSnake]

canadian32, Image Tech was not listed as the CAF does not plan to hire any RegF Image Techs during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020/2021. It is a small trade and the number of positions available each year varies. This year (FY 2019/2020) there was a total of 9 positions, which have all been filled.

It is possible to change occupations after joining but members are not eligible to apply for a "Voluntary Occupation Transfer" until after 4 years of service. It is not recommended to join in an occupation unless you could see yourself staying in that trade.

wait you need to be in for 4 years for a VOT I've never herd that I seen people go to different trades after BMQ (unless your talking about after someone does there DP1/Main trade )

 

[Winds]

Yes, 4 years for a regular VOT. It is possible to do a VOT-U prior to becoming trade qualified but it is a reduced list of trades that is offered.

The CAF is currently over-strength for IMAGE TECHs, so the likelihood of transferring through a VOT-U is extemely doubtful.

 

[macarena]

(...) the CAF does not plan to hire any RegF Image Techs during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020/2021. (...) This year (FY 2019/2020) there was a total of 9 positions, which have all been filled. (...)

I beg your pardon!
I've posted a question here, and then I've found another topic, then I've moved my question to there:
https://army.ca/forums/threads/130459.50.html

 

[Eye In The Sky]

wait you need to be in for 4 years for a VOT I've never herd that I seen people go to different trades after BMQ (unless your talking about after someone does there DP1/Main trade )

Actually, for a VOT, you can be combat arms and apply after 3 years (LOTP).  The term VOT-U comes from a draft 5002-series DAOD that was supposed to supersede 6 x CFAos, but never happened.  VOT-U is technically a MOC Reassignment (refer to CFAO 11-5, Occupation Assignment and Reassignment of Non-Commissioned Members & CFAO 11-12, Occupation Transfer of Non-Commissioned Members for current reg's o).

The 16 page draft DAOD (5002- Occupation Transfer) actually did a good job of breaking OTs down:

Categories and Sub-categories
An OT is categorized as follows:
• voluntary occupation transfer (VOT) which includes:
- voluntary occupation transfer – untrained (VOT-U); and
- voluntary occupation transfer – trained (VOT-T); and
• compulsory occupation transfer (COT) which includes:
- compulsory occupation transfer – untrained (COT-U); and
- compulsory occupation transfer – trained (COT-T).

The untrained sub-category refers to a CF member who has not attained the:
• Basic Military Qualification; or
• Basic Military Officer Qualification; and
• Basic Occupational Qualification and reached the operationally functional point for the assigned military occupation.

The trained sub-category refers to a CF member who is qualified in the assigned military occupation and has attained the operationally functional point.

Note – The operationally functional point is defined in the military occupation specification.