Recruiting Adverts

[OldMedic]

Often there are posts from people who are keen to join the RAF but when they contact an AFCO they find that the trade they are interested in is either completely closed or won’t be open until ‘til the year dot. But this week, whilst in Manchester, I saw a huge “The RAF is recruiting” poster – no indication at all as to what was being looked for. Yet, even in these difficult times there appear to be trades which are short staffed, so surely more targeted recruiting would be a better idea?

An good example of this is in one of this week’s nursing journals which carries a half-page advert for the PMRAFNS. This even offers “golden hellos” of £20K for those with specialist skills in A&E, Theatre, and ICU. Now the Princess Mary’s is a very small part of the RAF (about 400 strong according to Hansard) and like all the tri-service medical services is under an increased workload due to Afghanistan. The over-reliance on the RAuxAF to fill the gaps is starting to backfire now that NHS staff are having to look to their own career survival as the economic noose tightens. Regular deployments are part of the reservist package, but NHS bosses may no longer view them as charitably as they used to. So, let’s hope that for once the PMRAFNS can get up to the required strength. I am not holding my breath!

 

[Spearmint]

If you take a look at the RAF Careers website you can see the priority roles in a drop down box, bottom right of the page. Of course, this changes quite frequently. I know this as when I first started applying for WSOp I was told it was closed until 2011 but by keeping my ear to the ground I found that the numbers for the current financial year increased slightly soon after to maintain future capability so this in turn opened up the trade on a temporary basis. I've been given my shot now so I only hope I don't go and cock it up.

 

[rugby then work]

I think they do carry out targeted recruiting (as per your nursing journal example) but it's not as obvious because you need to be involved/interested in that area to see the adverts.

The scatter gun approach of "The RAF needs you" style of poster is likely aimed at getting bodies through the AFCO door where the recruiters can try and steer potential recruits into the pinch point trades.

 

[tacadmin]

Often there are posts from people who are keen to join the RAF but when they contact an AFCO they find that the trade they are interested in is either completely closed or won’t be open until ‘til the year dot. But this week, whilst in Manchester, I saw a huge “The RAF is recruiting” poster – no indication at all as to what was being looked for. Yet, even in these difficult times there appear to be trades which are short staffed, so surely more targeted recruiting would be a better idea?

An good example of this is in one of this week’s nursing journals which carries a half-page advert for the PMRAFNS. This even offers “golden hellos” of £20K for those with specialist skills in A&E, Theatre, and ICU. Now the Princess Mary’s is a very small part of the RAF (about 400 strong according to Hansard) and like all the tri-service medical services is under an increased workload due to Afghanistan. The over-reliance on the RAuxAF to fill the gaps is starting to backfire now that NHS staff are having to look to their own career survival as the economic noose tightens. Regular deployments are part of the reservist package, but NHS bosses may no longer view them as charitably as they used to. So, let’s hope that for once the PMRAFNS can get up to the required strength. I am not holding my breath!

The 'RAF - Recruiting Now' slogan (and associated posters) was brought in approx 2 years ago, at a time when we were heavily recruiting.
Specific posters and adverts were made for the priority jobs at that time, and placed in areas where the 'target candidate' was most likely to get sight of it. You may have seen the RAF Regiment Ads in 'Nuts' magazine for example!
Because we were recruiting so heavily we had a massive marketing budget. And so, in addition to generic ads we were able to be make specific ones about the jobs that were a priority. The recent fall in the ITT has meant a massive reduction in the marketing pot, so you're bound to see less adverts (especially on TV).
The RAF are 'Recruiting Now', and for more jobs than you might realise. Unfortunately, there's only so much we can do with no money!
However, we are short of applicants for Nursing 'Officers' which is probably why you've seen an ad for it.

 

[OldMedic]

Thanks for the responses.

OK on the RAF website other than the info has to be dug for - probably not a bad thing as at least it shows application.

Hope all goes well for you Spearmint.

The TV ads were really quite good. Not seen any other targeted ads but glad to hear that is the practice.

 

[Reformed Scribbly]

[/COLOR]

No, they choose what they want to do, we regularly steer those patently unsuitable for 'available' roles away from them.

 

[Stakz]

I think there are some 'new' tv ads due soon.

 

[busby1971]

But they are

But they are

The RAF are recruiting but they are doing it in a different way. you register your interest and go into a waiting pool.

When the job opens all those in the pool get an email and the ones that are quickest to reply and fill in the application form get processed.

Very few trades will stay at the open stage as rather than recruit for the year we recruit as and when we need people, what's the point of letting somebody apply for a job that might not be available until the following March (14 months time [worst case senario]).

Those recruiting now posters should have gone in the bin to be honest as the more recent ones should say "be part of the story".

 

[vim_fuego]

I think there are some 'new' tv ads due soon.

If this is correct I really really hope we've taken note of what the Navy do for theirs where they show people whizzing around in ribs with helo's skimming over their heads to some upbeat music etc etc. Who can forget the awful sticking plaster one? :raf: