There are changes coming for the Aircraft Technician trade to better reflect the management skill-sets of Warrant Officers (WOs) and above, as well as enhance specialization and alleviate the stress on the Aviation (AVN) occupation.
The Aircraft Occupation Enhancement Working Group (AOE WG) has given three main recommendations:
- Consolidate all Aircraft Technicians with the rank of Warrant Office (WO) and above into a new Aircraft Maintenance Superintendent (AMSup) occupation.
- Create a new Air Weapons (AWS) occupation by removing all maintenance tasks and responsibilities associated with kill stores from the AVN occupation.
- Transfer the work associated with Aircraft Life Support Equipment (ALSE) from AVN to the Aircraft Structures (ACS) occupation.
There was a Canada Wide Road Show by the Senior Occupation Advisors in Moose Jaw on Friday, June 27th to provide more information. It included the history of the trade structure, lessons learned, and the plan for the way ahead. They briefed on the changes ahead for each of the Air Trades and then finished with a Question and Answer session.
More information is available on the DND Intranet (DIN) at: http://winnipeg.mil.ca/a4maint/Sections/A4OccRdns/subjects/AOE.htm
As well, an article in “The Maple Leaf” summarizing the upcoming changes can be found online at: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/Commun/ml-fe/article-eng.asp?id=4536
