Become a Naval Communicator
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Turn Your Interest in Technology Into a Career With The RCN
Study Information Technology at Academy Canada and follow a recognized pathway toward a career as a Naval Communicator with the Royal Canadian Navy.
A New Partnership With the Royal Canadian Navy
Our Information Technology Associate program is now a recognized pathway toward the Naval Communicator trade under the Canadian Armed Forces' Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan (NCMSTEP). This means that eligible students can study IT at Academy Canada with education costs subsidized, while working toward a career that combines hands-on technology, leadership, and purpose.
This partnership gives Newfoundland and Labrador students a new option: get a practical, in-demand IT education close to home, and open the door to a technology career with the Royal Canadian Navy.
ITA Program Overview
Academy Canada's IT Associate program builds the practical, in-demand skills that the Royal Canadian Navy are looking for.
Duration: 81 weeks total (73 weeks theory-based training, 8 weeks work term)
Certification: Diploma of Technology
Entrance requirement: High school diploma or equivalent credential
Next start date: January 2027, at the Kenmount Road Campus in St. John's
Over the course of the program, students build hands-on skills across:
- Networking
- Computer hardware and troubleshooting
- Cybersecurity fundamentals
- Linux systems and Cisco networking
- Cloud computing, Microsoft Azure, and Microsoft 365 administration
- IT project management
- An 8-week work term placement to apply skills in a real workplace
Graduates leave prepared for roles such as Network Administrator, Security Analyst, and, through this partnership, Naval Communicator.
Become a Naval Communicator
Naval Communicators are the Royal Canadian Navy's technology and communications specialists. As a Naval Communicator, you'll:
- Work hands-on with communications and computer network systems
- Manage classified and unclassified data circuits
- Take on responsibility, leadership, and technical expertise early in your career
- Serve alongside a team with a strong sense of purpose, both at sea and ashore
Graduates of Academy Canada's IT Associate program pursuing this pathway have the opportunity to move from student to skilled technology specialist with training, salary, and career progression built in.
Paid Education Through NCMSTEP
Eligible applicants may qualify for paid education through NCMSTEP, the Canadian Armed Forces' Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan.
If approved, NCMSTEP can cover:
- Full tuition, books, and academic equipment
- A salary while you study
- Benefits including health, dental, and vision coverage
In exchange, NCMSTEP participants commit to a service obligation with the Canadian Armed Forces following graduation. An Advisor can walk you through exact eligibility criteria and what this commitment looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. No. The Information Technology Associate program is open to all students. The NCMSTEP pathway is an additional option for students interested in combining their studies with a career in the Royal Canadian Navy.
Talk to an Advisor Today
Speak with an Academy Canada Advisor to learn more about the IT Associate program, the NCMSTEP opportunity, and what a career as a Naval Communicator could look like for you.
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