I have only got a few years left in the RAF and am keen to continue within Aircraft Engineering and maybe work on something modern.
What is the best course of action regarding licences and which route is the best i.e. licence by post or residential course?
Are there any providers in the NW near Manchester?
Any advice regarding the above and gaining employment would be gratefully appreciated.
Is there the opportunity to get a placement, idealy at Manchester as part of my re-settlement to give me a foot in the door/experience in Civil Aircraft Engineering. :ugh:

airmech might be your best bet for further advice.

When I left a loooong time ago, I used the final 18 months, to self study, and then the resettlement cash to do a couple of courses at Oxford. There are others, Bristol, AST at Perth.

Macclesfield do licence study courses I think, get in touch with them.

The problem with placements is ramp insurance, too prohibitive. Try the local airlines/hangars.

1 guy I know does 1 module a month, it will take almost 2 years to complete.

I have a lot of stuff that will fit on a CD, send me a pm and I'll post it to you, can't guarentee that it's completely up to date, but it'll get you started.

Go for it. I did and do not regret it..self studied here though :)

Self Study. You already know your tradesmanship, learning the rules is easy. Why pay someone to teach you what you know already?

When I was demobbed I joined Big Airways at Heathrow starting as a Tradesman "N" - the equivalent of AC F*ck-All. It was a huge drop in status and pay but it took only 18 months of work experience and self study to get the licences and advance through the ranks - at that time Tradesman "Q" to Tradesman "A" to Lead Tradesman and then Certifying Lead Tradesman. By then I was earning double what I took home in the RAF.

You can still do it that way. Most people do.

Thanks for the advice from you all. It looks like the licence by post/self study is the route to go down and cheaper. I was surprised at the cost involved with being taught. I assume Barry College is the preferred provider for licence by post?

Get as much done as possible while you are in.

I've worked with a lot of ex RAF engineers in the last 7 years. They all came out with tickets, straight into jobs. Then on to type courses and were all on £45,000+ within a year.

The guys who came out without the tickets had to work and study. It took some of them 3 years plus to complete all the exams.

Use the system you are in to best advantage, then anything you are short of get it done asap. Its the exams that are important, worry about work placements later.

"I assume Barry College is the preferred provider for licence by post?"

Actually, "Licence By Post" is the preferred provider for licences by Post.
try Googleing (googgulling?)
Too much Wine already.