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

A unique opportunity to complete an advanced engineering 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 Aug 2024

Apprenticeship summary

Annual wage

£21,091.00

The minimum pay in your first year is £21,091 (6 mth at £18,687 and 6 mth at £23,496). On completion of technical training, at least 1 years' service and a workplace assessment, your pay will rise to £27,245, increasing incrementally year on year.
Working week

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

Total hours per week: 40.0
Expected duration

36 Months
Possible start date

01 Sep 2024
Date posted

04 Oct 2023
Apprenticeship level

Advanced
Level 3 (A level)
Reference number

VAC1000203310
Positions

130 available

What you will do in your working day

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

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.

The training you will be getting

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
Level 2 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Military Foundation Competence)
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
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 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 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

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

Address

Bristol

BS1 4TZ

Contact

0345 6055555

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

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

Engineering technician

Level 3 (A level)

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.