Summary Questions and answers about the Career Transition Services
Q1. What has changed with the Career Transition Services program?
If you are a CAF Member, Veteran, spouse, common-law partner or survivor, the redesigned Career Transition Services (CTS) program could help.
The CTS now:
- Expands current eligibilities for spouses, common-law partners and CAF members,
- Removes time limits for Veterans and survivors to access benefits, and
- Simplifies the application process.
Q2. Am I eligible for the Career Transition Services program?
The CTS applies to Veterans, still-serving CAF members, survivors, spouses, and common-law partners.
To be eligible for CTS, you must be:
- a still-serving CAF member (Regular or Reserve Force) or Veteran who completed basic training;
- a Veteran who completed basic training and who was released from the CAF on or after April 1, 2006;
- a Veteran or survivor who is entitled to the Canadian Forces Income Support Benefit;
- a spouse or common-law partner of a Veteran who completed basic training and who was released from the CAF on or after April 1, 2006;
- a survivor of a member who completed basic training and who died on or after April 1, 2006; or
- a survivor of a Veteran who completed basic training and who was released from the CAF on or after April 1, 2006
Q3. Are there time limits for eligibility?
No. If you are a CAF Member, Veteran or survivor, you are eligible for CTS program at any stage of your working life.
If you have already released, your spouse or common-law partner may receive benefits from the CTS program until March 31, 2020. If you are still-serving, your spouse or common-law partner will have two years from the date of your release to access the program.
Q4. How do I apply for this program?
You can apply for the program through the ways listed below.
- If you are registered for My VAC Account, you can submit your application online. My VAC Account offers a guided web form that makes applying for the Program easier. If you aren't registered you can register now. This is the fatest and easiest way to apply for VAC CTS.
- Download the application form. Then, drop it off - or get help filling it out - at a VAC Area Office.
- You can also download the application form and then send it to us directly through the mail.
Veterans Affairs Canada
PO Box 6000
Matane, QC G4W 0E4
* Note: Survivors, spouses and common-law partners who are in direct receipt of VAC benefits can also apply online through My VAC Account with their own account. Survivors, spouses and common-law partners who have not received benefits before from VAC can contact us (number) to be able to sign up for My VAC Account.
Q5. If this is my first time applying for CTS, what can I expect after I apply?
Once you have submitted your application, you can expect a decision within 4 weeks of VAC receiving your application; which is right-away when submitted online. By mail VAC will receive your application within several business days.
Q6. I am currently a CTS participant. Do I need to re-apply for the redesigned program?
No, you do not have to re-apply. If you are currently eligible for Veterans Affairs Canada's CTS Program, reside in Canada and would like to continue to use the CTS program we can refer you to the service provider, please contact the National Client Contact Network toll free at 1-866-522-2122.
If you are approved for CTS, you will begin to work with Agilec (the National Service Provider delivering the program) to build a Career Transition Services plan.
Q7. If I am a current CTS participant, what do I need to do be referred to Agilec?
If you would like to be referred to Agilec, you will need to contact the National Client Contact Network toll free at 1-866-522-2122. Once we confirm your eligibility and interest, we will notify Agilec and they will contact you within 48 hours of receiving your referral from VAC.
Q8. When can I access or apply for this program?
You can apply for the CTS program as of April 1, 2018.
Q9. Can I use CTS more than once during my lifetime?
Yes. If you are a Veteran or survivor, you can access CTS whenever you have career transition needs, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements of the program.
Q10. If I am a still-serving member, do I have access to CTS?
If you are an active member of the CAF (Regular Forces or Reserve) who completed basic training, you have access to certain aspects while still serving. The goal is to help you understand the civilian labour market and identify the best career option before you decide to release. The intent is not to replace the existing career counselling offered by CAF Personnel Selection Officers who assist members in advancing in their military career.
Q11. How will the enhanced Career Transition Services be integrated with the Canadian Armed Forces?
Veterans Affairs Canada and Agilec are working closely with the Canadian Armed Forces to ensure you get the best possible service from both organizations. Information about the CTS program has been shared with CAF Personnel Selection Officers on bases across Canada to help them assist members in their transition. Information is also provided during information sessions delivered as part of CAF transition programs. CAF will continue to share resources, tools and information about transition with Agilec to ensure that their services are up to date and relevant.
Q12. Why is there a two-year time limit for spouses to apply for CTS?
CTS helps spouses and common-law partners because their careers are often impacted during members' service for reasons such as deployments and frequent moves. Spouses may not necessarily experience the same challenges as Veterans who transition to the civilian workforce, but they may still need help establishing a permanent career. The two year time frame recognizes these challenges and builds upon services through federal and provincial programs that are available to all Canadians, including spouses and common-law partners.
Q13. Are there different levels of access depending on if I am a Veteran, CAF member or spouse?
Yes. If you are a serving CAF member (Regular Force or Reserve), you have access to:
- career counsellors who will complete an intake assessment with you which will address career exploration;
- develop an Individualized Career Transition Plan; and
- access will be provided to on-line, self-directed CTS modules covering topics such as: self assessment, interest inventory, resumes, cover letters, job banks, self-marketing and interviews.
If you are a serving CAF member who is in the release process, you have access to:
- career counsellors who will complete an intake assessment with you which will focus on career transition into a civilian career;
- develop an Individualized Career Transition Plan;
- educational counselling;
- labour market information services;
- access will be provided to on-line, self-directed CTS modules covering topics such as: self assessment, interest inventory, resumes, cover letters, job banks, self-marketing and interviews;
- one-on-one career counselling addressing module content and issues such as military to civilian transferable skill sets.
If you are a CAF Veteran, a spouse, or common-law partner of a CAF Veteran (note restrictions below), you have access to:
- career counsellors who will complete an intake assessment with you which will focus on career transition into a civilian career;
- develop an Individualized Career Transition Plan;
- educational counselling;
- labour market information services;
- access will be provided to on-line, self-directed CTS modules covering topics such as: self assessment, interest inventory, resumes, cover letters, job banks, self-marketing and interviews;
- one-on-one career counselling addressing module content and issues such as military to civilian transferable skill sets.
Note that spouses and common-law partners of Veterans are eligible for CTS to the later of:
- March 31, 2020, or
- The second anniversary of the day on which the Veteran was released.
If you are a survivor of a CAF Member or Veteran, you have access throughout your lifetime to all of the above services throughout your adult life as well as job finding assistance and follow up transition support through an end of a CTS plan.
Q14. If I live outside Canada, do I have access to CTS?
There is a residency requirement to be eligible for CTS. You must live in Canada for 183 days or more within the calendar year to be considered a resident of Canada and qualify for CTS. Eligible serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces will also have access to the Career Transition Services Program while on deployment outside of Canada.
Q15. Why did VAC decide to not provide this program to Veterans outside of Canada?
The aim of the CTS program is to support those who are transitioning to civilian employment in Canada.
Q16. If I am enrolled in an international school as part of my Education and Training Benefit, do I still qualify for CTS?
You would qualify only if you met the eligibility criteria for CTS, including the Canadian residency requirement.
Q17. Is there any cost to me for Career Transition Services?
No. Career Transition Services are provided by a national CTS service provider. There is no cost to you.
Q18. Is CTS run by the government, or is it contracted to a third party?
CTS is delivered by a third-party contractor on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada.
Q19. Who is the third party that is administering the contract?
Agilec is delivering the CTS program on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada. For more information:
- Visit Agilec, or
- Link to Agilec's secure portal within My VAC Account.
Q20. Do I apply through VAC or the third-party contractor?
Applications for the program must go through VAC. The fatest and easiest way to apply is through My VAC Account.
Q21. I would like to apply for a job within the Public Service, will VAC CTS help?
The CTS program is part of a comprehensive suite of benefits offered by VAC. It is not linked directly to the Priority Hiring initiative. We encourage you to take full advantage of both programs.
Q22. Why didn't CTS focus on Priority Hiring as part of job placement?
The tips, tools, and support a Veteran needs to be able to successfully get screened in to and compete for jobs within the Public Service will be one element of the Career Transition Services program.
The Career Transition Services program will build on the work that Veterans Affairs Canada has undertaken with the Canadian Armed Forces and Employment and Social Development Canada.
Q23. Why is my Career Transition Services application status in My VAC Account showing as withdrawn?
Your application shows as withdrawn if you have already submitted an application for that program. Any subsequent application for the same program is automatically considered a duplicate. Your initial application will continue for review.
Q24. Why is my CTS application being withdrawn?
You can only submit one application for this program. Since you already submitted one, your subsequent application is considered a duplicate and is automatically withdrawn by our system.
Q25. How can I make a change to my initial application?
If you would like to make a change to your CTS application, you can let us know by sending a secure message through My VAC Account or calling us at 1-866-522-2122 and we will have it updated.
We are working to improve this process so that you can make these changes more easily.