Providing skills acquisition and job opportunities for Canadian youth At DND, we pride ourselves in helping youth acquire skills and develop qualities of good citizenship through the Cadet Program , and through career opportunities in both the regular forces and the reserves. Nearly 21,000 of these cadets continue their training at more than 28 cadet summer camps located across Canada. Cadets are not members of the Canadian Forces, but participants must adopt a high standard of personal dress and behaviour similar to CF Standards. Cadet training develops the attributes of good citizenship and leadership, and promotes physical fitness. Many cadets learn skills and qualifications which may lead to careers later in life in jobs as diverse as diesel mechanics and aircraft pilots.
Cadets also learn lifelong skills such as first aid, outdoor survival, and firearms safety.
The CF also provides many career opportunities for young men and women through its recruitment programs. In April 1997, the Minister of National Defence announced that about 12,000 young Canadian men and women would be recruited into a variety of positions within the regular and reserve forces. Recruits, both unskilled and skilled, are required for such jobs as sailor, infanteer, pilot, field engineer, vehicle technician, radar technician, communication technician, and aviation system technician. Supporting regional economies Building and maintaining DND's many facilities across the country bring economic benefits to Canadians and their communities. These facilities provide the reserves with dedicated vehicles and technical service support for individual and collective training.