RAF Chef - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship Royal Air Force

An opportunity to complete an apprenticeship as an RAF Chef with an OFSTED outstanding training provider. You'll be working in kitchens across the UK and around the world that play a key part in the UKs defence. Working as part of a team in time-bound and often challenging kitchen environments.

This apprenticeship requires you to apply through the employer's website.

Apply now

Closing date: 01 Jun 2023

Apprenticeship summary

  • Annual wage

    £19,100.00

    The minimum pay in your first year is £19,100. On completion of training and one years’ service you will earn £22,286, increasing incrementally year on year.

  • Working week

    Days and shifts to be confirmed on assignment to your first station after training.

    Total hours per week: 40.0

  • Expected duration

    24 Months

  • Possible start date

    02 Jun 2023

  • Date posted

    13 Apr 2023

  • Apprenticeship level

    Intermediate
    Level 2 (GCSE)

  • Reference number

    VAC1000154430

  • Positions

    30 available

What will the apprentice be doing?

The RAF Chef training programme will provide you with the required organisational, time management, communication and number skills you require to stay calm under pressure.

You can be employed in various environments; in military kitchens where you will work with the industrial partner to prepare hotel standard fare and provide gastronomy dining experiences for military personnel, in a field kitchen providing catering support for exercises and operations worldwide, or in an in-flight catering production kitchen producing meals for fast jet pilots, helicopter crews and large aircraft crew and passengers travelling to all corners of the globe.

With experience, you could volunteer to work in our VIP team and cook for high-ranking officers, government ministers and even members of the Royal Family. If selected, you could compete in culinary competitions and eventually gain an invitation to represent the Royal Air Force on the Combined Services Culinary Arts Team who compete internationally against the best industry chefs in the world.

Your day-to-day tasks will vary dependent on your role, but they will include:

  • Working with the strategies of our industrial partners to prepare attractive menus that meet set standards
  • Produce food meeting portion controls, and budgetary constraints
  • Adapting and produce dishes to meet special dietary, religious and allergenic requirements
  • Following specifications to maintain quality and control, adhering to hygiene, health and safety regulations whilst instilling a knowledge of allergens, nutrition and diets so you can cater to the diverse Royal Air Force family

What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?

Production chef Level 2 including Functional Skills if required.

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 specialist training will begin at the Food Services Training Wing at Worthy Down. This 14-week course will train you to maintain excellent standards of personal, food and kitchen hygiene whilst using specialist kitchen equipment to produce a variety of dishes.

You will also undertake a 10-day Introduction to Deployed Operations with No 3 Mobile Catering Squadron (3 MCS) where you will be trained to set up field kitchens under canvas. This skill will enable you to provide catering support to deployed operations worldwide as well as supporting exercises both based in the UK and abroad.

What is the expected career progression 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, manage resources and workforce within your area of work to deliver the required outputs whilst maintaining and instilling the highest standards expected within the RAF. 

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills and personal qualities

Communication skills, Attention to detail, Organisation skills, Customer care skills, Presentation skills, Number skills, Team working, Creative, Initiative, Physical fitness

Qualifications

Other None (Grade None) Desired

Things to consider

The role is varied and, after training, you could be stationed across the UK and beyond.

About the employer

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.

Employer

Royal Air Force

Address

Liverpool

L9 7AT

Contact

0345 6055555

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Training

Training provider

ROYAL AIR FORCE

Apprenticeship standard

Production chef

Level 2 (GCSE)

Employer'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.

This apprenticeship requires you to apply through the employer's website.

Apply now

Closing date: 01 Jun 2023