Cyberspace Communication Specialist - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship

Royal Air Force

Wolverhampton, WV7 3EX

Closes on Saturday 30 August

Posted on 8 August 2024

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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
  • 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

Your training plan

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 No 1 Radio School, Cosford, near Wolverhampton; a first-class training establishment. This foundation course is approx. 35 Weeks long and is designed to prepare you for your first tours by giving you a breadth of skills and knowledge across the full range of duties you may be employed in. You will study a range of subjects, including: electronic and radio principles; mathematics; Cisco Academy IT Essentials; Cisco Introduction to Networks; Microsoft Server 2K12, Relational Databases, Programming Techniques, satellite and data communications; information systems and network administration and Cyber security. In addition, you will also be instructed in health and safety, maintenance practices and procedures giving you the skills required to deploy and maintain our range of communications information networks and sensors.

The training you will receive at No 1 Radio School is recognised by a wide range of civilian employers and backed by transferable qualifications. During your specialist training as a Cyberspace Communication Specialist, where eligible, you will be enrolled on a Information Communication Technician Apprenticeship Standard which is a Level 3 qualification; all knowledge requirements will be completed during your technical training, skills & behaviours will be captured within the work place during your first tour. You can also gain a Foundation Degree in Computing Science from Staffordshire University.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • 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
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

If you lack either GCSE English or Maths (not both), you are to complete the DAA but must then achieve Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths or English during Phase 1 training at RAF Halton, before entry on to Phase 2. Failure to achieve the required academic standard may lead to you being discharged from the Service.

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 also a gateway to a full-time career in the Royal Air Force. 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. Further specialist training is available to you to ensure that you are properly trained for your roles. Some personnel may undertake specialist training to work on the new solid state radar or deployable navigation aids. If required, specialist training will be given in application support, web-skills, database and network management, software and application development, coding and cyberspace security to assure the integrity and efficient operation and management of the RAF’s and other military networks.

After completing one year’s total service, you will be eligible for promotion to Air Specialist Class 1, providing you pass Basic Specialisation Training and Professional Workplace Assessment (PWA). Following completion of PWA, 18 months in rank and your apprenticeship you may advance to Air Specialist Class 1 Technician.

Further promotion to the rank of Corporal and beyond is on merit by competitive selection and will require the completion of further periods of Command and Management Training to prepare you for the demands of your new rank.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ROYAL AIR FORCE

0345 6055555

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000269899.

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 fitness test. More details of the requirement can be found at the application link.