Which Tech Trade?

[MJohnson]

Hi guys, just been down to my AFCO for a chat and I've got some questions that the guy couldn't really answer.
To give you context, I've got a degree in IT, but I don't want to spend the rest of my life sat in front of a screen for 8 hours a day. I've always preferred something more hands on; fixings things & being active.

Ideally I'd go for aircraft technician (mechanical or avionics) but the guy mentioned the branch will be closed for around a year (he didn't mention the availability of the other tech roles). So my secondary choices, at the moment, are electrician and weapons technician.

My questions are; what's the average day like for an electrician/weapons technician? How are the promotion prospects, & when I leave the RAF would the experience/qualifications gained be directly applicable to a civilian role?

Thanks

 

[ScoobTech]

If you dig a bit deeper on here , the general consensus is both the Aircraft trades and TG 4 are in deep do do with manning levels, so it might be the careers office trying to pigeon hole you with your IT degree. Once you get the info from the guys who work on A/C, and you still want to do that stick to your guns.

 

[Puma]

They're changing the way aircraft technicians are trained, they're getting rid of AMM's basically. This may be why they've closed the trade, but TG1 does need more manpower so I hope it's not closed for that long.

OP why don't you go engineering officer, I believe they're crying out for them and from some of what I've seen they'll take anyone.

 

[Witty_Banter]

They're changing the way aircraft technicians are trained, they're getting rid of AMM's basically. This may be why they've closed the trade, but TG1 does need more manpower so I hope it's not closed for that long.

OP why don't you go engineering officer, I believe they're crying out for them and from some of what I've seen they'll take anyone.

+1 for the above - if you already hold a degree then you'll be wasting your time in the ground trades (at least 5 years stuck in the jnr ranks, on minimal pay, learning stuff that's basically NVQ level and below). You'll be bored in your first 12 months and you'll be PVRing before you hit 4 years.

With a degree you could join as an officer - so straight away better pay and pension options. Can't speak much to Eng officer jobs, although we are in desparate need. Could also consider Intelligence Officer, with a view to cyber warfare, etc. Although the Int trade isn't a 'technical' trade, according to some, we use and abuse IT a lot, and there are you'd probably find traction in the SIGINT / ELINT / CYBER fields. This will, however, involve you being locked in a dark room with no windows and artificial light / forced aircon for the rest of your career...behind several screens...

 

[ktuludays]

Recruiters have quotas to meet and will always try to persuade people into roles they don't necessarily want to be in. During my 12 years I met many people who didn't enjoy their raf job due to being pushed in that direction or who couldn't wait the time for that trade to "open". Be patient and stick to your guns.

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[ady eflog]

+2 for above quote, go for Engineering Officer, dont waste your time with TG1 Mech or AV, you will just end up dissapointed and leaving after 5-9 years of being a spanner monkey.

 

[Stevienics]

I also would suggest you go towards Eng Off. You won't do much Eng work in the first tour, maybe even the second, but you will end up with Eng Licences and the option of a masters.

Then there's the dosh, the lifestyle, the degree of trust afforded you, the opportunities you will actually have a say in....etc etc.

 

[propersplitbrainme]

They're changing the way aircraft technicians are trained, they're getting rid of AMM's basically. This may be why they've closed the trade, but TG1 does need more manpower so I hope it's not closed for that long.

I know this is taking it OT for the OP, but the plan to remove the AMM part from training and go back, effectively, to a DE system is definitely in development now. Wasn't aware of any plan to close the trades down for a year though, thats an interesting development.

 

[Barch]

I know this is taking it OT for the OP, but the plan to remove the AMM part from training and go back, effectively, to a DE system is definitely in development now. Wasn't aware of any plan to close the trades down for a year though, thats an interesting development.

Probably to try and get all the SACs back through Cosford before the new system starts - it wouldn't be right making SACs lose out on 'fitters courses'.

 

[propersplitbrainme]

Recruitment for Av and ATM are closed because the quota has been met for this year already and the start of next year. No other reason.

Makes sense, ta.

 

[MJohnson]

Thanks for all the responses guys, I went back into the AFCO for a quick chat, my IT degree isn't accredited for engineering but they did recommend I go the officer route.

My concern with the officer path is that I have no past experience with leadership or positions of responsibility, is this an issue? I'm not too sure what they're looking for at the OASC, specifically the leadership exercise, the rest seem straightforward.

Finally, the guy behind the desk didn't know anything about the changing of the technician/AMM, Is there more info on this or is it still being worked out?

 

[MJohnson]

They're changing the way aircraft technicians are trained, they're getting rid of AMM's basically. This may be why they've closed the trade, but TG1 does need more manpower so I hope it's not closed for that long.

OP why don't you go engineering officer, I believe they're crying out for them and from some of what I've seen they'll take anyone.

Ok, looking at the RAF roles site, current progression is;
Basic Training - 10 weeks at Halfton

Specialist Training (pre-AMM) - 5 months at Cosford - Begin Intermediate Apprenticeship NVQ2
1st Tour as AMM - 2 years - Finish NVQ2

Further Training - 13 months at Cosford - Begin NVQ3
Then I finally get onto the technicians element of the role.

Are they simply cutting out the AMM element and getting into the technicians role straight after Basic Training?

 

[Flumpdaddy]

They are looking to cut the AMM aspect so you would go to Cosford for about 18 months after Halton and leave as a technician.

Nothing has been announced yet so guess they are still working on it.

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[Stevienics]

My concern with the officer path is that I have no past experience with leadership or positions of responsibility, is this an issue?

Yes it is. You're going to have to get some to display you're up for it at interview. As for the ropes, barrels and planks - you never know what sort of person you are until you get in there.

 

[Puma]

Ok, looking at the RAF roles site, current progression is;
Basic Training - 10 weeks at Halfton

Specialist Training (pre-AMM) - 5 months at Cosford - Begin Intermediate Apprenticeship NVQ2
1st Tour as AMM - 2 years - Finish NVQ2

Further Training - 13 months at Cosford - Begin NVQ3
Then I finally get onto the technicians element of the role.

Are they simply cutting out the AMM element and getting into the technicians role straight after Basic Training?

Yes the first tour as AMM is being cut out, all the training will remain the same and I believe that this has started as of the beginning of the year. I came across this info whilst on a course at Cosford.

 

[adseddie]

I'm currently instructing at Cosford. The AMM element is being removed but no dates have been set in stone as of yet. Manning are going through numbers as far as I'm aware as short on SAC(T)s and they dont want to reduce the output from Cosford.

The last I heard was 2019 for the new DE courses to start. It was originally November 17. As far as I'm aware they are still recruiting AMMs. Those that don't get a FT course will go onto the DE course with possibly elements removed. Again all rumour!!

If you want hands on go ground trade, if you want management and paperwork with better pension and pay go officer. Speak to your AFCO about a station visit, we regularly have visits for people to explore the techie trades.

Also with your IT background don't discount the IT ground trades they don't just do computers but also can cover setting up ground comms and network infrastructure, although few and far between now.

As for the weapons trade, its a good job but many armourers will agree not very useful after service life unless you get other quals available with extra effort on your part.

Hope this clears things up, let me know if you want any more info.

 

[Stevienics]

As for the weapons trade, its a good job but many armourers will agree not very useful after service life unless you get other quals available with extra effort on your part.

....not to mention the pay band.

 

[Digzster]

Thanks for all the responses guys, I went back into the AFCO for a quick chat, my IT degree isn't accredited for engineering but they did recommend I go the officer route.

My concern with the officer path is that I have no past experience with leadership or positions of responsibility, is this an issue? I'm not too sure what they're looking for at the OASC, specifically the leadership exercise, the rest seem straightforward.

Finally, the guy behind the desk didn't know anything about the changing of the technician/AMM, Is there more info on this or is it still being worked out?

From past personal experiences, it hasn't stopped others from becoming officers DT_Xtremez_30: saying that though, I have also met a few good ones!

 

[MontyPlumbs]

As for the weapons trade, its a good job but many armourers will agree not very useful after service life unless you get other quals available with extra effort on your part.

Maybe they've changed the quals since I went through, but the BTEC NC and Avdnaced Modern Apprenticeship in Aerospace Engineering (not Armouring) set me up very nicely. However, I agree you have to be prepared to do extra quals and training courses to maximise your earning potential once out.