RAF Weapon Technician - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship Royal Air Force

A unique opportunity to complete an advanced 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 UKs defence. With over 100 places available across the year, apply today!

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

Apply now

Closing date: 01 Oct 2023

Apprenticeship summary

  • Annual wage

    £19,100.00

    The minimum pay in your first year is £19,100 (6 mth at £16,840 and 6 mth at £21,420). On completion of technical training, at least 1 years' service and a workplace assessment, your pay will rise to £24,990, increasing incrementally year on year.

  • Working week

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

    Total hours per week: 40.0

  • Expected duration

    36 Months

  • Possible start date

    02 Oct 2023

  • Date posted

    08 Jun 2023

  • Apprenticeship level

    Advanced
    Level 3 (A level)

  • Reference number

    VAC1000171679

  • Positions

    130 available

What will the apprentice be doing?

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

It is a job with a great deal of responsibility as the equipment you handle is often extremely dangerous and safety is always crucial.

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 through 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.

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

  • 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 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
  • 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
  • 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 of industry recognised professional bodies

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 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

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills and personal qualities

Communication skills, IT skills, Attention to detail, Organisation skills, Problem solving skills, Number skills, Analytical skills, Team working, Initiative, Patience, Physical fitness

Qualifications

GCSE or equivalent an approved Science/Technology-based subject (Grade C/4 or above) Essential
GCSE or equivalent English Language (Grade C/4 or above) Essential
GCSE or equivalent Mathematics (Grade C/4 or above) Essential

Things to consider

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 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

Plymouth

PL1 2SW

Contact

0345 6055555

You must have JavaScript enabled to view a map of the location

Training

Training provider

ROYAL AIR FORCE

Apprenticeship standard

Engineering technician

Level 3 (A level)

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 Oct 2023