RAF Apprenticeships

Can you get an apprenticeship with the RAF?

You most certainly can! There are numerous apprenticeships available in the RAF across multiple departments, including engineering, security and resilience, cyberspace, intelligence, catering and people operations. 

Apprenticeships are blended work/study programmes that let you train on the job, study towards certified qualifications, and get paid a salary. Your schedule depends on your employer. But usually, you’ll spend four days a week at work and one day at college or a training provider.

Qualifications start at Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSE passes) and go all the way up to Level 7 (equivalent to a Master’s degree), with the minimum age being 16 years old.

You can also do apprenticeships with the Army. We have a whole guide dedicated to explaining Army apprenticeships, so go check that out!

What RAF apprenticeships are available?

There are tons of ways to get involved with the RAF besides piloting. You could become an air cartographer, creating and editing maps using specialist data. Or head up the police, protecting bases and aircraft from crime and espionage.

Whether it’s land or air that you’re interested in, RAF apprenticeships are your first port of call to discovering a range of careers in the UK’s defence sector. Read on to learn more about them.

The RAF have a really wide range of opportunities and they’re growing every year. Check out what they have to offer:

• Weapon Technician

• Aircraft Technician    

• Regiment Gunner

• RAF Medic

• RAF Police

• Physical Training Instructor

• Survival Equipment Specialist

• Cyberspace Communication Specialist

• Air Operations Control Officer 

• Air Traffic and Weapons Controller

• Air and Ground Steward 

• Intelligence Analyst

• Chef 

• Firefighter

• Vehicle and Mechanical Equipment Technician

• Photographer 

• Electrician

Keep up to date with what opportunities they have open on the RAF website. 

There are various locations across the UK where you could go with the RAF; a lot happens in Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire. There are also opportunities to be overseas, so definitely keep that in mind!

What do RAF apprentices do?

Working for the RAF is fun and rewarding, but equally demanding too. While your responsibilities depend on your role, as an apprentice, you can expect to be doing the following tasks:

• Keeping weapons and ammunition safe

• Ensuring that communication networks are open and secure

• Providing medical support in dental or nursing roles

• Analysing Intelligence data

• Hiring and training new recruits

• Working in field kitchens, planning menus and preparing meals.

Here’s what one engineering apprentice had to say about their experience with the RAF:

What qualifications do you need to do an apprenticeship with the RAF?

Every level of apprenticeship has a different entry requirement. We’ve listed these below;

• Level 2: Some ask for two or more GCSEs graded at 9 to 4 (A* to C). However, lots of Level 2 apprenticeships don’t require GCSEs.

• Level 3: Five GCSEs graded 9 to 4 (A* to C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship.

• Level 4/5 (Higher): Two A-levels or equivalent (like a BTEC or an NVQ/SVQ).

• Level 6/7 (Degree): Three A-levels graded at A* to C or equivalent.

Though it’s always good to check the RAF website to see what they're asking for specifically. 

Once you become an RAF apprentice, you will go through basic military training. This is normally a 10-week course at RAF Halton, where you will be introduced to military life, providing physical fitness, discipline, drill, everyday military routines, and an introduction to RAF culture and values.

What skills do you need?

RAF officers are one of the highest and most respected ranks in the Armed Forces. Not only are they in charge of training the military, they’re involved in search and rescue operations, commissioning new aircraft and specialising in ground combat as well.

As you can imagine, you’ll need a few skills up your sleeve to smash your role. 

These include:

• Communication and teamwork. At the RAF, everyone works together to achieve a common goal. Communication is key to allow messaging to move from one regiment member to the next

• Thinking and reasoning. For making quick decisions, especially during an emergency

• Leadership. To manage and motivate teams

• Staying calm under pressure. So you can deal with external threats, like crime, espionage and terrorism.

RAF Officers can go on to become pilot officers, flight officers or lieutenants. You can train to become an RAF Officer straight out of school. But before you do, it’s good to have some experience beforehand, like volunteering for the Air Cadets.

Each year, thousands of young people under the age of 17 join the Cadets, challenging themselves and testing their resilience through activities like sailing, climbing, flying and gliding. One of those could be you!

How much do RAF apprentices get paid?

On average, RAF apprentices get paid £26,300 every year with the opportunity to get promoted to corporal in some roles, earning £40,000+ benefits. 

These benefits include:

• Free gym

• Health care

• Subsided food

• 6-week holiday

• World travel.

How to apply for a RAF apprenticeship

You can apply for RAF apprenticeships through Higherin! All you have to do is sign up to add the company to your saved items. And voilà! You’ll get tons of updates on vacancies and all their upcoming deadlines. 

After submitting your application, you’re probably wondering what’s next. Well, if you’re successful, you’ll be invited for an interview and will need to take a bunch of aptitude, medical and fitness tests to prove your suitability for the role. So make sure you get those workouts in. 

Need a little application inspiration? We have loads of application advice from CV writing to how to ace your interviews. Click below to get started: