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 UK's defence, where you'll prepare attractive menus, learn how to manage your workstation, and work in a fast-paced kitchen.

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

Apply now

Closing date: 01 Aug 2024

Apprenticeship summary

Annual wage

£21,091.00

The minimum pay in your first year is £21,091 (6 months at £18,687 and 6 months at £23,496). On completion of training and one years’ service you will earn £23,496, 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

01 Sep 2024
Date posted

04 Oct 2023
Apprenticeship level

Intermediate
Level 2 (GCSE)
Reference number

VAC1000203250
Positions

30 available

What you will do in your working day

The RAF Chef training program will provide you with the required organisational, time management, communication and number skills you'll 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
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

The training you will be getting

Production chef Level 2
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 to expect at the end of your 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.

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

https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/

Address

RAF Brize Norton

Carterton

OX18 3LX

Contact

0345 6055555

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Training

Training provider

ROYAL AIR FORCE

Adjustments for experience

You could reduce your training time, or finish your apprenticeship faster, if you have relevant prior learning or experience. This could be relevant:

training
qualifications, like an NVQ in a relevant field
industry or sector experience

Apprenticeship standard

Production chef

Level 2 (GCSE)

Demonstrating experience

If your application is successful, you will have a chance to discuss your relevant prior learning or experience with your training provider and employer. You will all need to agree any adjustments to your training plan.

You should be prepared to show your competence, and evidence of relevant qualifications

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.