Cyberspace Communication Specialist - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship – Find an apprenticeship

Summary

Cyberspace Communication Specialists ensure the RAF remains at the cutting edge of technological advances, essential for the RAF to be able to communicate effectively and move information around safely and securely. You will work as part of a highly trained and technologically skilled workforce that will be responsible for a wide variety of tasks.

Annual wage

£25,200 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

The minimum pay whilst undertaking technical training is £25,200.On completion of technical training, at least 1 years’ service and a workplace assessment, your pay will rise to £27,200, rising incrementally year on year.

Training course

Information communications technician (level 3)

Hours

Once training is completed, dependent on role and location you could be working various routines. Days and shifts to be confirmed.

40 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 1 September

Duration

3 Years

Positions available

210

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

You will work as part of a highly trained and technologically skilled workforce that will be responsible for a wide variety of tasks including:

Safeguarding our UK-based IT networks from intrusions
Coordinating the RAF’s vast array of information
Establishing overseas networks and equipment for Deployed Commanders and Air Traffic Services

The technical knowledge is challenging, but the benefits, the achievements, and the impacts are highly rewarding.

One of the many advantages of being a Cyberspace Communications Specialist is the incredible breadth and diversity of the roles that you could be employed in.

Upon completion of your training, you will graduate as an RAF ICT Tech and be sent on your first tour. Opportunities exist across the country for your first tour, but wherever you are sent you will be using your skills to immediately support the RAF’s outputs. You will join a team responsible for managing your unit’s cyberspace systems. A first tour could be as part of 90 Signals Unit, which includes the RAF’s deployable expeditionary communications team. This team deploys around the globe and a job here would have you supporting global operations by providing the cyberspace systems that enable communications back to the UK effectively. Alternatively, you could be employed on an aircraft squadron, maintaining and supporting the aircraft’s mission support system that enables the aircraft to carry out its sorties. Another current role for your first tour is to work within an information Hub, where you will be the first port of call for providing advice on software applications, information management and system administration, or repairing IT systems and installing software and hardware.

Where you’ll work

RAF Cosford

Albrighton

Wolverhampton

WV7 3EX

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

ROYAL AIR FORCE

Your training course

Information communications technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Interpret and prioritise internal or external customer's requirements in line with organisation's policy

Apply the appropriate tools and techniques to undertake fault finding and rectification

apply Continuous Professional Development to support necessary business output and technical developments

Operate safely and securely across platforms and responsibilities maintaining the security of personal data of internal and external stakeholders

Communicate with all levels of stakeholders, keeping them informed of progress and managing escalation where appropriate

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, customers and other relevant stakeholders

Manage and prioritise the allocated workload effectively making best use of time and resources

Complete documentation relevant to the task and escalate where appropriate

Install or undertake basic software upgrades,either physically or remotely

Establish and diagnose the extent of the IT support task, in line with the organisation's policies and Service Level Agreements

Provide remote/F2F support to resolve customer requirements

Maintain a safe working environment for own personal safety and others in line with Health & Safety appropriate to the task

Identify and scope the best solution informed by the system data associated with the task

Test and evaluate the system's performance and compliance with customer requirements.

Escalate non routine problems in line with procedures

Use basic scripting to execute the relevant tasks for example PowerShell, Linux

Carry out routine maintenance across systems, (such as IT, Communications), ensuring organisational compliance at all times

Apply the necessary security, in line with access and/or encryption requirements

Use a range of Cabling or Connectors equipment in line with technical requirements for example physically or remotely

Test and evaluate network environments

Monitor performance and usage of a network

Deploy applications on a network

Set up storage and data access for staff

Apply necessary security measures, in line with access requirements to a network

Carry out routine maintenance across network systems, ensuring organisational compliance

Monitor network-related workloads including DNS and firewalls

Install or undertake basic upgrades, either physically or remotely

Establish digital communication or telecommunications systems through, for example cabling and connecting equipment.

Identify a range of tools and or diagnostic equipment, for example, Hardware or Software components, to resolve Communications or Telecommunications requirements.

Undertake basic telecommunications activities, in response to an allocated task, designated responsibilities, instructions or customer’s requirements.

Use information necessary to identify operational issues and rectify or escalate accordingly in line with policy