RAF Weapon Technician - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship
Royal Air Force
Lincoln, LN4 4SY
Closes on Saturday 30 August
Posted on 8 August 2024
Contents
Summary
A unique opportunity to complete an advanced engineering apprenticeship as a Weapon Technician with an Ofsted outstanding training provider. You'll be working with some of the most advanced weapons and aircraft in the world and play a key part in the UK's defence. With over 100 places available across the year, Apply today!
- Annual wage
-
£25,200 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
The minimum pay in your first year is £25,200. On completion of technical training, at least 1 years' service and a workplace assessment, your pay will rise to £27,200, increasing incrementally year on year.
- Training course
- Engineering technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Shifts to be confirmed on assignment to your first station after training (TBC).
40 hours a week
- Possible start date
-
Monday 1 September
- Duration
-
3 Years
- Positions available
-
130
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
As an RAF Weapon Technician, you will be responsible for the weapons, explosives, and associated equipment used by the RAF including:
- Ejection seat removal/fit/maintenance
- Canopy/Pylon/Role equipment removal/fit
- Smart bombs/Guided missiles/Weapon aiming systems/Gun ammunition and Decoy Flares
- Explosive Safety/Storage of explosives
There is also plenty of variety; from quite early in your career, you could be arming aircraft with bombs, guided weapons, missiles, loading aircraft guns or working on an aircraft flight line, servicing aircraft and preparing them for flight.
You will be responsible for the servicing, maintenance and repair of ejection seats, aircraft gun systems and missile launchers.
You will have other responsibilities too such as the maintenance, care and issue of the weapons used by your station, including rifles, pistols and machine guns, as well as heavier weapons.
You could be responsible for the safe storage and control of aircraft weapons and flares and also the building and the fitment of smart weapons and flares to the aircraft.
Like most people in the RAF, you could move jobs every few years as part of your service career management and have the opportunity to diversify and experience a wide range of jobs and equipment.
You will be able to set preferences for the location and type of employment you would like to undertake and there is also the opportunity to undertake roles outside of your specialisation.
Within your first few years, you will get the opportunity to deploy overseas in support of the RAF’s mission.
Where you’ll work
Raf Coningsby
Lincoln
LN4 4SY
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
Engineering technician (level 3)
Equal to A level
Course contents
Your training plan
- Whilst completing your Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship, you will also gain a Level 3 Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance (Military) delivered entirely in training and a Level 3 Diploma in Aviation Maintenance, the portfolio element completed after training in the workplace
- On successful completion of the application and selection process, your apprenticeship will start with a 10-week Basic Recruit Training Course at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you will also learn about the RAF lifestyle
- The next step is a specialist training course at the Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering Cosford, near Wolverhampton, which lasts about 12 months. This course is designed to give you a basic understanding of your role as an RAF Armament Specialist, including the awareness of explosive safety requirements and the maintenance and repair skills of aircraft weapon systems, weapon launching systems and aircraft escape systems
- You could also have opportunities for management and leadership training. The qualifications and experience you will gain in your RAF career can support accreditation and membership in industry recognised professional bodies
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
- an approved Science/Technology-based subject (grade C/4 or above)
- English Language (grade C/4 or above)
- Mathematics (grade C/4 or above)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
It is a job with a great deal of responsibility as the equipment you handle is often extremely dangerous and safety is always crucial. The role may require deployments overseas, working on flight lines or maintaining weapons in bays. The role is varied and, after training, you could be stationed across the UK and beyond.
About this company
The Royal Air Force work with our UK and international partners to watch the skies, respond to threats, prevent conflict, and provide assistance in an uncertain world. We provide all personnel with a varied range of training and activities to make sure you're ready for anything. A career in the Royal Air Force will provide you with a whole host of possibilities. You will receive world class training, allowing you to learn and develop throughout your career. We recruit throughout the year, so please ignore the closing and start dates.
After this apprenticeship
- The apprenticeship is a gateway to a full-time career in the Royal Air Force
- Promotion to the rank of Corporal and beyond is dependent on successful completion of the Engineering Technician apprenticeship and then on merit by competitive selection
- As you advance through the ranks, you will have the increased opportunity to lead and direct people, managing resources and workforce within your area of work to deliver the required outputs whilst maintaining and instilling the highest standards expected within the RAF
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ROYAL AIR FORCE
0345 6055555
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000270111.
Apply now
Closes on Saturday 30 August
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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.