RAF Driver - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship – Find an apprenticeship

Summary

An opportunity to complete an intermediate apprenticeship as an RAF Driver. You'll will be working with some of the most interesting vehicles in the world and play a key part in the UK's defence. With places available throughout the year, apply today!

Annual wage

£25,200 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Pay will increase incrementally each year.

Training course

Large goods vehicle (LGV) driver C + E (level 2)

Hours

Shifts to be confirmed on assignment to your first station after training.

40 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 1 September

Duration

2 years

Positions available

85

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

RAF Drivers are required to drive and operate a wide range of general and specialist vehicles, from Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCV, which include cars, minibuses and coaches), to both rigid and articulated Large Goods Vehicles (LGV) and mobile cranes; you will also refuel aircraft using tankers, clear runways using specialist de-icing vehicles and move specialist freight with complex trailers. It will be your responsibility to make sure that RAF personnel, equipment and vehicles get to the right place, at the right time to meet Defence's operational output. You will be driving or operating on exercises, operational deployments, on and off airfields throughout the world, both on roads or rough terrain.

You will drive an array of different passengers (including VIPs), LGVs containing equipment, which will include hazardous materials using the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) qualification you gained during your Initial Trade Training. Within your first few years, you will probably be detached overseas from a few days, up to several months.

As a specialist and professional vocational driver, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of dress, deportment and driving technique. You must work as part of a team, whilst having the capability and confidence to work and make decisions independently. Full training and support is available to RAF Drivers throughout their career.

Where you’ll work

Gateshead

NE8 2BE

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

BRITISH ARMY

Your training course

Large goods vehicle (LGV) driver C + E (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

Drive safely and efficiently on public and private roads, and manoeuvre the vehicle in restricted spaces; safely use and position vehicle fitted equipment (eg mobile cranes)
Proficiently control the vehicle taking into account the size and type of vehicle and trailer
Use relevant equipment and machinery safely and efficiently to ensure the safe handling of customer goods, safely open and restrain trailer and vehicle body doors.
Carry out delivery and other relevant activities in a safe and efficient manner complying with relevant systems and processes, following instructions and organisational policy
Prepare the vehicle and the load for deliveries, including safely using and positioning vehicle fitted equipment; carry out vehicle safety checks and deal with or report any defects or maintenance issues to the appropriate person; complete daily walk round check sheets
Ensure the vehicle is correctly loaded and is safely secured to minimize chances of damage or load shifting
Ensure techniques are used to protect the vehicle and load from theft and damage.
Effectively plan the most economical route to be used, minimising waste and loss; plan, prioritise and adapt accordingly when situations arise out of the normal routine
Use relevant IT systems appropriately and in line with organisational requirements.
Fully comply with appropriate legislation and regulation within the transport industry
Work safely adhering to the health, safety guidelines e.g. manual handling
Use Appropriate methods to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues in line with organisational standards
Work independently using own initiative.
Work closely with suppliers and customers to ensure any problems, damages or anomalies are corrected.
Work as part of a team, showing an ability to work under pressure and to agreed deadlines.
Support colleagues and contribute to achieving objectives or goals.
Use and connect to the correct type of trailer and its operating systems
Drive safely and efficiently on public and private roads, and manoeuvre the vehicle in restricted spaces; safely use and position vehicle fitted equipment (eg mobile cranes)
Proficiently control the vehicle taking into account the size and type of vehicle and trailer
Use relevant equipment and machinery safely and efficiently to ensure the safe handling of customer goods, safely open and restrain trailer and vehicle body doors.
Carry out delivery and other relevant activities in a safe and efficient manner complying with relevant systems and processes, following instructions and organisational policy
Prepare the vehicle and the load for deliveries, including safely using and positioning vehicle fitted equipment; carry out vehicle safety checks and deal with or report any defects or maintenance issues to the appropriate person; complete daily walk round check sheets
Ensure the vehicle is correctly loaded and is safely secured to minimize chances of damage or load shifting
Ensure techniques are used to protect the vehicle and load from theft and damage.
Effectively plan the most economical route to be used, minimising waste and loss; plan, prioritise and adapt accordingly when situations arise out of the normal routine
Use relevant IT systems appropriately and in line with organisational requirements.
Fully comply with appropriate legislation and regulation within the transport industry
Work safely adhering to the health, safety guidelines e.g. manual handling
Use Appropriate methods to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues in line with organisational standards
Work independently using own initiative.
Work closely with suppliers and customers to ensure any problems, damages or anomalies are corrected.
Work as part of a team, showing an ability to work under pressure and to agreed deadlines.
Use and connect to the correct type of trailer and its operating systems

Your training plan

On successful completion of the application and selection process, your apprenticeship will start with a 10-week Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) 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’ll also learn about the RAF lifestyle.

Your next step will be the specialist driving course at the Defence School of Transport at Leconfield in East Yorkshire, which takes up to four months. During this course you will be trained to pass driving tests in Categories B, C, C+E and D; you will also learn additional military
driving skills such as Vehicle Loading and Restraint, Off Road Driving, Skid Avoidance and Recovery Techniques as well as the procedures and regulations for carrying dangerous goods by road (ADR).

At the end of the course, you will have passed your driving tests (if you haven’t already done so before you join) and earned the SQA ADR Driver Training Certificate for Carrying Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). You will also be well on the way to achieving an Intermediate Apprenticeship (L2) in Driving Goods Vehicles.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

Other in:

No requirement (grade No requirement)

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

Organisation skills
Number skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Patience
Physical fitness

Other requirements

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.

https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/ (opens in new tab)

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 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:

BRITISH ARMY

0345 6055555

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000272912.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 30 August

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

You'll be directed through to the RAF Recruitment Website where more detail on the role is available. We have positions available for this role throughout the year and the process can take a few months. Once you have completed an application you will be invited to complete an aptitude assessment, selection interview, health assessment and a fitness test. More details of the requirement can be found at the application link.

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RAF Driver - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship

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