Building a Career as a Construction Technician

Magazine Article / March 11, 2021 / Project number: RCAF-Excelsior-Winter-2021-03

Corporal Jeff Pesklevits joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2003 as a Reserve Armoured Reconnaissance Crewman with the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own). In 2016 he completed an occupational transfer to Construction Technician and now is employed full-time (Class B) as a carpenter at 192 Construction Engineering Flight (CEF) in Aldergrove, British Columbia.

When I was younger I used to help my dad with work around the house, and I always enjoyed working with my hands. I had thought of becoming a Construction Tech when I first joined, but unfortunately the trade was closed at the time. After my dad passed away in 2013, my wife and I decided to completely renovate my childhood home. I learned a lot during that process.

While I was in the Army I also went to school for Interior Design at the BC Institute of Technology. People are always surprised to hear that, but the things I learned there are completely transferable to my new trade. Interior design is much more technical than just paint colours and frilly cushions.

When a close friend of mine mentioned that he knew Master Warrant Officer Tom Bentley at 192 CEF, I asked that he let him know I was interested. I paid him a visit to check it out and was instantly sold. I put in my transfer memo that week.

The thing I enjoy most, but is also the most challenging, is the variety of tasks in the trade. One day I may be framing or roofing, and the next I’m doing intricate woodwork in the shop. I rarely do the same thing twice, and I enjoy the process of researching, designing, testing and creating something with professional results. Another great opportunity is that we also work with the other trades, such as plumbers and electricians, either through evening and weekend training, or on the job, and vice versa.

Some special projects I have done are building cabins for BC Parks, renovating a bar for a local Army Reserve unit’s Senior NCO’s [Non-Commissioned Officers] Mess, and a drill cane presentation stand in memory of SAR [Search and Rescue] Tech Sergeant Mark Salesse, who was tragically killed in a training accident. Sgt Salesse also was previously a member of the British Columbia Regiment, and his drill cane is presented annually to the Top Master Corporal.

I’m married with two young children, so work doesn’t stop when I get home. We try to enjoy the local mountains as much as we can, and we love taking trips to the dry interior of BC in the summer. That’s our happy place. Must be the wine!

My wife was five months pregnant with our daughter when I went on my eight-month QL3 course on the other side of the country. Luckily, I was able to make it home for the birth, but had to go back after a couple days. Later, I left for my two-month QL5 course when my son was only two months old. I am forever grateful to my family for their sacrifice in the pursuit of my passion.

For anyone that’s considering becoming a Construction Technician, I would say that it’s one of the only places that you can hone your skills in a variety of areas, without the stress of just “getting it done” in order to turn a profit. Doing something different all the time keeps it fresh. I’m incredibly lucky to work with such a multitalented group of people here at 192 CEF, and I wish any future Construction Techs the best of luck!

The Construction Technician job is one of seven Construction Engineering positions that provide all construction, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering services to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations. Construction Technicians may serve with the Royal Canadian Air Force or the Canadian Army, where they provide structural engineering support to operational units at home and abroad. Their primary responsibilities are:

• Construct, repair and maintain buildings for the protection of personnel and equipment
• Produce related structural designs and specifications
• Produce related structural drawings
• Construct field defences
• Harden field structures
• Erect prefabricated structures

Construction Technicians attend the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Gagetown, New Brunswick. Training takes approximately 29 weeks and includes:

• Environmental skills such as defensive tactics and firearms
• Care and use of common and special purpose tools and test equipment
• Application of occupational codes and regulations
• Interpretation of drawings and schematics
• Constructing/hardening structures
• Concrete/masonry
• Roofing systems
• Wood and steel framing
• Painting
• Construction survey
• Physics principles

• 192 Construction Engineering Flight (Aldergrove, BC)
• 4 Construction Engineering Squadron (Cold Lake, AB)
• 8 Air Construction Engineering Squadron (Trenton, ON)
• 14 Construction Engineering Squadron (at Bridgewater, NS)
• 91 Construction Engineering Flight (at Gander, NL)
• 143 Construction Engineering Flight (at Lunenburg, NS)
• 144 Construction Engineering Flight (at Pictou, NS)

• Carpenter
• Roofer
• Mason
• Certified Engineering Technician (Civil/Construction)

Construction Technicians may serve with the Canadian Army or the Royal Canadian Air Force. Those employed on a part-time or casual full-time basis usually serve at a military base, wing or unit located within Canada.