AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 28, 2026
Base Gagetown Hosts Department of National Defence Job Fair
The 5th Canadian Support Base Gagetown is looking to hire dozens of civilians as part of an ongoing expansion and modernization effort. The Department of National Defence (DND) held a job fair in Fredericton, attracting hundreds of job seekers interested in a range of support roles at the base.
Wide Range of Civilian Job Opportunities
The job fair took place at The Cultural Centre in downtown Fredericton, where lines of hopeful applicants extended into the parking lot. Positions being recruited for include cooks, nurses, firefighters, mechanics, and teachers. The roles reflect DND’s effort to find skilled staff to support base operations as the facility grows.
Applicants Share Their Experiences
Cameron Claybourn-Scott was first in line with his resume. "I feel like there's a lot of good opportunities here," he said. Currently employed at the base with a term coming to an end, Claybourn-Scott is considering new options and is drawn to positions with the Coast Guard.
Another attendee, Ethan Trevors, a computer science student at the University of New Brunswick, said he was encouraged by the demand for information technology roles. "I'm looking mostly for IT jobs," Trevors explained. "So I gave my resume, talked with a few people, apparently I'm in high demand, so I'm glad about that."
Federal Funding Driving Job Creation
The recruitment drive comes after the federal government announced more than $1 billion in funding last spring to upgrade and modernize Gagetown's training area, range, and defence systems. Additionally, funding has been allocated for new housing in nearby communities to accommodate the anticipated growth.
The Department of National Defence has highlighted a period of accelerated growth, with a spokesperson saying, "Over the last year, the Government of Canada has moved at unprecedented speed and scale to deliver on its plan to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces." This growth has, in turn, created numerous opportunities for civilian employment at the base.
Position Categories Offered at the Hiring Event
While the department did not specify exactly how many positions it aimed to fill, an event flyer listed a broad array of target areas. These included:
- Administration, customer service, project coordination, finance
- Clinical psychologist, social worker, nurse practitioner, LPN/RN, medical doctor
- Food and kitchen services
- Forestry management
- French or English language teacher
- Information technology and engineering
- Skilled trades, heavy equipment operation, mechanic, firefighter
- Student employment and apprenticeships
- Warehouse operations and procurement
The department indicated preference would be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents in its hiring process. The job fair was designed to connect prospective employees directly with DND hiring representatives and present a wide scope of occupational opportunities.
Potential for Continued Growth
Base Gagetown's expansion and the accompanying job fair underscore the federal government's commitment to both military support and the creation of civilian job opportunities. As spending continues and projects progress, new roles in fields ranging from skilled trades and healthcare to IT and administration are expected to become available.
Source: cbc.ca.
