Meet - RAF

You’ll be paid as soon as you start your initial training and have access to a host of benefits, including

• A starting salary of £26,300
• Six weeks paid annual leave
• Gym membership
• Discount at retailers
• Forces Railcard
• Free healthcare and dental care

Find out more about the benefits package here.

We are committed to promoting and developing equality, diversity and inclusion within the Service. We believe the talents and skills of individuals from different groups make for a more efficient RAF. Inclusion is the action of embracing differences, valuing and harnessing people’s unique backgrounds, talents, perspectives and insights for the benefit of individuals and the organisation.

Entry requirements.

To join the RAF you must be aged between 16 – 47 years and you be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, a commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘a right to work; immigration status) or holder of dual UK/other nationality.

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application, but candidates with a minimum of 3 years will be considered.

As a member of the RAF, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in adventurous training to develop vital military skills. We sponsor talented personnel to compete at the highest level, provide time off for training and subsidise travel, entry fees and equipment costs. We do the same for personnel who are competing or representing the RAF in authorised sporting events.

Rent for those living in single living accommodation, also known as a Mess, includes all utility bills. The rent will depend on your rank and can start from £75 per month. We also offer subsidised on-base catering for all RAF personnel (around £38 per week for three good quality meals a day), which caters for all dietary requirements and is fresh, tasty and nutritious.

Having subsidised food and accommodation helps to increase your disposable income and leaving you with more money in your pocket at the end of each month.

We offer an apprenticeship with a guaranteed job at the end

Whether a Chef, Engineer or a Pilot, you’ll receive plenty of training to help you do your role effectively and with confidence. You will always receive basic training first to get you accustomed to military life. Next, you’ll take on specialist training, tailor-made for your choice of role, and training will continue throughout your career to help you progress.

Air Technician Survival Equipment – Level 3

The Survival Equipment fitter will maintain aircraft and personal survival equipment. It is a skilled, complex and specialist role, maintaining survival equipment according to approved requirements and work instructions, using specific tools and equipment. They must comply with regulatory and organisational requirements.

You will complete a Level 3 Survival Equipment Fitter Apprenticeship

Qualifications you need to apply

A minimum of GCSE grade C/4, in English Language and Mathematics.

To find out more, please click here.

Air Technician Weapon – Level 3

As a Royal Air Force Air Technician Weapon, you will be responsible for arming our aircraft with weapons. You will also make sure all the weapons management and release systems are in full working order. Most weapons technicians spend their first tour of duty on a flying squadron helping with ground handling tasks and preparing the aircraft for the next flight, you could go on to work with ejection seats and rocket launchers, bombs and missiles or to service small arms and automatic weapons.

You will complete a Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship. The Technical Certificate element of which is a Level 3 Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance (Military) and is delivered entirely in training. You will be required to complete the portfolio element of the Level 3 Diploma in Aviation Maintenance competence qualification during your first tour, when you leave specialist training

Qualifications you need to apply

A minimum of GCSE Grade C (Grade 4 with effect from Aug 17) or equivalent in English language, Mathematics and an approved Science/Technology-based subject.

To find out more, please click here.

Air Technician Avionics – Level 3

As an Air Technician (Avionics), you will keep our aircraft airborne by carrying out maintenance and repair work on the sophisticated electronic and on-board avionics to ensure the high performance of aircraft radar, communication, reconnaissance, and target acquisition equipment. You will provide engineering support to aircraft systems that are operated whilst in flight or provide aircraft engineering support when the aircraft is deployed, while maintaining the systems that generate and distribute electricity on aircraft.

You will complete a Level 3 Engineering Technician Advanced Apprenticeship

Qualifications you need to apply

A minimum of GCSE Grade C (Grade 4 with effect from Aug 17) or equivalent in English language, Mathematics and an approved Science/Technology-based subject.

To find out more, please click here.

As an Advanced Manufacturing and Repair Technician, you will be working in specifically equipped workshops and aircraft maintenance hangars. You will manufacture and repair parts for aircraft, vehicles and specialist equipment using both manual and computer operated machinery, like drilling, milling, cutting and forming equipment.

The work includes manufacturing bridges, oil rigs, ships, petro-chemical installations, cranes, platforms, aircraft, automotive and machinery parts, sheet metal enclosures, equipment supports, and anything that can be fabricated out of metal.

You will complete a Level 3 Metal Fabricator Advanced Apprenticeship.

Qualifications you need to apply

You need a minimum of GCSE Grade 4 (C) or equivalent in English Language, Mathematics and an approved Science/ Technology-based subject.

To find out more, please click here.

As a Communication Infrastructure Technician, you will ensure the RAF remains at the forefront of a progressive Cyber Engineering industry. You will provide communication to the RAF’s digital infrastructure ecosystems by installing and maintaining essential fibre optic and data communication cables, radome structures and antenna masts working at height or in secure operation rooms.

The role of the network cable installer is to install, terminate, test and certify network cable infrastructure components in accordance with National and International industry standards.

You will complete a Level 3 Network Cable Installer Apprenticeship This includes industry standard level 3 Managing and Supervising Working at Height qualification.

Qualifications you need to apply

You need a minimum of GCSE Grade 4 (C) or equivalent in English Language, Mathematics.

As part of the recruitment process You must complete a specialist interview which includes a climbing aptitude test at RAF Digby, Lincolnshire.

To find out more, please click here.

As an aircraft engineering specialist, Aircraft Technicians (Mechanical) carry out maintenance and repair work on the airframe and propulsion systems on RAF aircraft such as:

• Engines
• Flying Controls
• Hydraulics
• Air Conditioning
• Landing Gear
• Fuel

If you work on our helicopters, you may also check rotor blades, rotor heads and transmission systems and be involved in the adjustment, repair or replacement of any defective parts.

Aircraft Technicians (Mechanical) examine all the mechanical components, the structure of the aircraft, the engines and the associated electrical components that support these functions, and you could examine, test and repair equipment on everything from fast jets to air transport, helicopters and air to air refuelling aircraft.

You will complete a Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship, the Technical Certificate element of which is a Level 3 Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance (Military) and is delivered entirely in training. You will be required to complete the portfolio element of the Level 3 Diploma in Aviation Maintenance competence qualification during your first tour when you leave specialist training.

Qualifications you need to apply

GCSE or equivalent at Grade C/4 or above in English language, Mathematics and an approved Science/Technology-based subject.

To find out more, please click here.

As a Vehicle and Mechanical Technician, you will keep the RAF on the move by carrying out repairs and adjustments on a range of land-based vehicles and equipment.

You will maintain and repair a diverse fleet of specialist airfield support equipment, like ground power and hydraulic supply units and dehumidifiers, test and repair airfield arrestor systems that prevent aircraft runway overrun and examine, maintain, and repair specialist airfield support vehicles like refuelling bowsers and aircraft loading equipment.

You will complete a Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship

Qualifications you need to apply:

You need a minimum of GCSE Grade 4 (C) or equivalent in English Language, Mathematics and an approved Science/ Technology-based subject

To find out more, please click here.