Applying for the RAF at 33
Discussion
So, after changing carer paths from a commercial underwriter five years ago to being a spanner monkey who is about to finish his level 3 nvq apprenticeship, I am feeling er unfufilled !
My familily have history in the RAF and until this evening it isn't something I had ever really considered as a career.
I am not university educated through choices I made but am fairly intelligent I like to think =)
Do I have any chance of getting into the RAF on the maintenance/engineering side of things at my age ?
I've been looking at the relevant websites and am in two minds as to whether to apply or not. Would feel like a bit of a tit not getting past the first stages given family history =(
My familily have history in the RAF and until this evening it isn't something I had ever really considered as a career.
I am not university educated through choices I made but am fairly intelligent I like to think =)
Do I have any chance of getting into the RAF on the maintenance/engineering side of things at my age ?
I've been looking at the relevant websites and am in two minds as to whether to apply or not. Would feel like a bit of a tit not getting past the first stages given family history =(
I think you may have missed the boat now I'm afraid, for full time employment anyway. You'll be able to join the reserves easily enough, but I'm not sure they have any techie trades IIRC.
Going back five years when I was in I'm sure the cutoff point was 31, or early thirties at least, but it seemed to vary from trade to trade. Some had a higher age barrier than others, but a rough guide was early thirties. The best thing you can do is check out the RAF careers website and see what its about, as things have changed a fair bit in the years I've been out!
Going back five years when I was in I'm sure the cutoff point was 31, or early thirties at least, but it seemed to vary from trade to trade. Some had a higher age barrier than others, but a rough guide was early thirties. The best thing you can do is check out the RAF careers website and see what its about, as things have changed a fair bit in the years I've been out!
Found this which may be of use: https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/how-to-apply/el...
I did a quick check on aircraft mechanical and ground mechanical trades and the limit is 30, so you're out of luck by the looks of it sadly! If you're still unsure though give the local careers office a call, rather than a visit as you'll save yourself the trip for just one question.
I did a quick check on aircraft mechanical and ground mechanical trades and the limit is 30, so you're out of luck by the looks of it sadly! If you're still unsure though give the local careers office a call, rather than a visit as you'll save yourself the trip for just one question.
Edited by Brigand on Monday 19th January 00:31
grim_d said:
<18k for full time aircraft mechanic, that's pretty poor. If you are interested in aircraft maintenance then commercial aviation pays better if not as exciting.
That's year one with no experience (or licence). It does increase a bit as time passes.Are day 1 Civvy apprentices paid radically higher? It's not all about money in the RAF though to be fair.
OP, Did you call the careers office? You haven't got a day to waste!
tom2502 said:
They are desperate for people in the ground equipment engineering trade at the moment.
It's so bad they have been offering people £10,000 retention bonuses, so you may get lucky there, as long as your a fit and healthy 33 year old.
Agreed, the recruitment people may be willing to waive the age issue. Some trades are on the edge and I bet that there will be a way in.It's so bad they have been offering people £10,000 retention bonuses, so you may get lucky there, as long as your a fit and healthy 33 year old.
The IT/Comms trade offers £2k upon completion of training. Not a great deal but in the world of the RAF it is a massive indicator of the increased need for people.
Jimmyarm said:
So, after changing carer paths from a commercial underwriter five years ago to being a spanner monkey who is about to finish his level 3 nvq apprenticeship, I am feeling er unfufilled !
My familily have history in the RAF and until this evening it isn't something I had ever really considered as a career.
I am not university educated through choices I made but am fairly intelligent I like to think =)
Do I have any chance of getting into the RAF on the maintenance/engineering side of things at my age ?
I've been looking at the relevant websites and am in two minds as to whether to apply or not. Would feel like a bit of a tit not getting past the first stages given family history =(
At one of my sons Passing out parades, 10 years ago, after chatting to a Rear Admiral, he quite blatantly told me that if I wanted back in he would swing it, I was 36 at the time.My familily have history in the RAF and until this evening it isn't something I had ever really considered as a career.
I am not university educated through choices I made but am fairly intelligent I like to think =)
Do I have any chance of getting into the RAF on the maintenance/engineering side of things at my age ?
I've been looking at the relevant websites and am in two minds as to whether to apply or not. Would feel like a bit of a tit not getting past the first stages given family history =(
Of course that was the Navy, (which is the better service BTW) and I had served previously, get to the careers office and have a word, but I think the reserve would be a better shot, and yes they take trades
Edited by ruff'n'smov on Tuesday 20th January 19:27
DuraAce said:
That's year one with no experience (or licence). It does increase a bit as time passes.
Are day 1 Civvy apprentices paid radically higher? It's not all about money in the RAF though to be fair.
OP, Did you call the careers office? You haven't got a day to waste!
Website says 15k during training, 18k after training. Not sure what the apprentices get but as a day one trainee I was on better than that.Are day 1 Civvy apprentices paid radically higher? It's not all about money in the RAF though to be fair.
OP, Did you call the careers office? You haven't got a day to waste!
As you say though it's not all about the money in the RAF and if I thought I could get in I would jump at the chance!
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