Education & Employment
Building a next chapter around your health, strengths and goals.
There is no single 'right' post-military career
Start with capacity before choosing a program
Many veterans jump directly to program applications without asking whether the program fits their current health and life. These questions can help you choose well.
Education and Training Benefit (ETB)
VAC's ETB can help eligible veterans pursue formal education or shorter courses. It is a taxable benefit. Eligibility and maximum funding are tied to length of CAF service.
Official Information
Since the ETB is taxable, plan for the tax impact in the year the education funding is paid. Withholding may not cover the full annual tax. See the Money, Taxes & Disability Supports chapter for more.
Career Transition Services (CTS)
CTS can complement the ETB by helping with career direction, job-search skills, resumes, interviews and choosing education that fits a specific goal. Using career counselling before committing a large amount of funding can prevent an expensive mismatch.
If you are unsure what field or credential to pursue, consider using CTS before applying for ETB funding.
Rehabilitation and vocational pathways
For eligible participants, vocational services may include employability assessments, career counselling, training, job-search assistance and job-finding assistance.
Key change since April 2024
Translate military experience into civilian language
Civilian employers may not understand ranks, trades or military acronyms. Translate your duties into outcomes and scope. The table below shows common examples.
| Military wording | Civilian wording |
|---|---|
| Supervised section personnel | Led and coached a team; assigned work, managed performance and supported training. |
| Managed unit administration | Coordinated confidential records, deadlines, policy compliance and client service. |
| Operational planning | Planned complex work under time pressure, assessed risk and coordinated resources. |
| Military course qualification | Completed competency-based technical and leadership training; identify civilian equivalencies where available. |
Credential recognition
Use the CAF Education and Accreditation Equivalency Database and provincial regulatory bodies to identify civilian equivalents. Some occupations are regulated and require licensing even when the member has substantial experience.
Confirm requirements before paying tuition or application fees for regulated programs.
A staged education plan
Define the work or life goal in plain language.
Check health fit, hours, physical demands, cognitive load and accommodations.
Research two or three credible programs — not twenty.
Confirm admission requirements, recognition, tuition, equipment and total completion time.
Confirm funding approval before enrolling or paying non-refundable fees.
Build a lighter first term where possible and identify disability or accessibility services on campus.
Review progress after the first course or term and adjust without treating a change as failure.
Example
Example: A staged approach to education
Morgan wants a technology career but has cognitive fatigue. Instead of enrolling immediately in a full-time diploma, Morgan takes a staged approach:
- 1. Uses career counselling to identify a specific goal
- 2. Checks civilian demand for that field
- 3. Takes one introductory course to test capacity
- 4. Meets the school accessibility office
- 5. Confirms ETB approval before committing to a full program
The slower start protects both funding and health. If the first course goes well, Morgan can increase course load. If not, the plan can be adjusted without having spent the full ETB amount.
Every person's circumstances are unique. This example is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or career advice.
Employment does not have to mean full-time immediately
A sustainable return may include part-time work, gradual hours, modified duties, remote work, self-employment, volunteering or work trials.
Important: Income can affect LTD, IRB, CPP disability or provincial benefits. Report work activity and earnings to the relevant program as required, and ask how income will be treated before accepting a new arrangement. Ask for the answer in writing.
Your Next Step
Related Benefits
Related Claim Tools
Related Glossary Terms
ETB
Education and Training Benefit — a VAC benefit providing funding for formal education or shorter courses. Taxable. Eligibility tied to length of CAF service.
CTS
Career Transition Services — VAC services including career counselling, resume help, and job-search assistance.
Vocational Rehabilitation
A structured program addressing vocational barriers through assessment, counselling, training, and job-search assistance.
Credential Recognition
The process of identifying civilian equivalents for military qualifications. Some occupations require provincial licensing even with extensive military experience.
Accommodations
Adjustments to a learning or work environment that enable a person with a disability to participate. Examples include extended test time, reduced course load, or modified duties.
CAF LTD
Canadian Armed Forces Long Term Disability — the insurance program administered by SISIP for releasing members. May include vocational rehabilitation.
Official Sources
We review these links at least annually. Dates, amounts and eligibility rules can change.
This page provides navigation and education only. It is not legal, financial, or tax advice. ETB amounts and program rules can change — always verify current information on the VAC website before making enrollment or financial decisions.
Last reviewed: July 2026