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Canadian Armed Forces (paid trade training)

Forces armées canadiennes, paid trade training (national pay; Valcartier, Bagotville, Saint-Jean)

22 of 30 verified for Quebec; "start something" routes use national figures · How we verify
Quebec works differently: trades are a nearly free DEP then a CCQ apprenticeship; college is a 3-year DEC at a cégep (tuition-free for residents); university is 3 years after a 2-year pre-university DEC. Numbers from IMT en ligne, CCQ, FIQ scales and the Relance surveys.
Years to credential0
First real paycheque~a month
Time in a classroom30%
Total cost$0
Typical debt after$0
Demand in QuebecHigh

The first ten years

earnearnearnearnearnearnearnearnearnearn
Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

What's in "net by year 10"
Earnings, years 1 to 10$773k$52,000 rising to $84,000 by year five, flat after
Program cost−$0ktuition and fees
Typical (medians)$773kthe number on the card
Low to high$657k to $889kpay 15% under or over the median, cost 15% more or 10% less

Not counted: income tax, rent, food, loan interest, inflation, and unemployment gaps. They apply to every route, so they change the size of each number more than the order. Pay is the Quebec median before tax from the sources on this page.

The picture

What the day-to-day isBasic training, then paid trade school (vehicle tech, electrician, medic, cook, IT and dozens more), then working in the trade on a base.
What actually stops peopleMedical and fitness screening, and a multi-year service commitment.
The downsideYou go where they post you. Deployments are possible. Leaving early is not simple.
If you're the parentFully paid training, a salary from day one, and a pension. The trade-off is control over where your child lives for several years.
Local opportunities in Quebec

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Eight quick questions about whether this route fits your life, not just your grades. You'll get a readiness check, and if you want, we'll introduce you to employers, unions or programs in your region.

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How to enter

What you need
  • No specific courses or average; Grade 12 (or equivalent) and a willingness to show up
Deadlines in Quebec
  • Depends on the program

Next steps in Quebec

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In QuebecNational pay. Year-5 is an estimate (Corporal mid-increment). Basic training at Saint-Jean.
www.canada.ca

◐ Partly verified DND Regular Force pay table effective April 1, 2025

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