Information on the RAAF Aviation Candidate Management Centre
The Aviation Candidate Management Centre (ACMC) is located at RAAF Base East Sale and has the motto ‘Motivate - Select – Progress’ which succinctly outlines the three core functions of the unit.
ACMC was establish in January 2016 with the purpose of identifying primary areas for motivation and talent attraction, providing a central area for the selection of Air Force Officer Aviation (OA) candidates and centralising the career management and administration of OA candidates whilst training. The motivation team consists of variety of aviation and non-aviation roles within the Air Force responsible for increasing awareness and developing interest among young people in OA careers within the Air Force. The Air Force Simulator Experience (AFSE) is the primary motivation program with a team conducting roadshows across Australia, visiting schools, Air Force Cadet Squadrons and public events such as Avalon and the Career Expos. The program is intended to involve students from grades 7-10 but also offers presentations that cater for all ages.
The experience consists of an introductory brief which outlines fundamental flight controls followed by a flying lesson with an instructor inside the mobile Super Hornet simulator, Air Traffic Control computer based games, virtual reality experience and aircrew life support gear demonstrations. The AFSE is an excellent opportunity for young people to interact with Air Force members in an informal setting, ask questions and discover the fantastic aviation opportunities within the ADF.
ACMC also holds the responsibility for screening OA candidates as they progress through the recruiting pipeline. Once candidates complete their assessment day at Defence Force Recruiting they attend a two day program at the ACMC to undertake the Aviation Screening Program (ASP) using the Military Aviation Cognitive Testing System (MACTS) pronounced “MAX”. The ASP is a tri service screening program, screening all Air Force OA candidates as well as Navy and Army Pilots. The MACTS is based off the tried and tested system utilised by the RAF, CAF and NZAF for some time. It provides a more robust snapshot of a candidate’s aptitude for OA roles, ensures the economical use of time and money as well as greatly increases the number of candidates that can be screened, with ACMC having the capacity to screen up to 900 candidates annually. While at ACMC, candidates also get tours through the several training schools at RAAF Base East Sale. The experience that the candidates get from the additional elements of the ASP such as tours, staying on base and eating at the mess exposes candidates to elements of Air Force life that they have not seen before and is invaluable in contributing to the further motivation and education of candidates.
A second site has been established and is staffed by Army personnel at the Royal Military College (RMC) in Canberra to conduct the ASP for pilot candidates who nominate Army as their first preference. The Aviation Motivation and Screening Program Flight Commander Army said candidates undergo the same screening as their counterparts in Sale and also enjoy the benefits of tours and additional information provided at RMC. By running the ASP at RMC it allows Army to easily screen in-service candidates undertaking training at RMC as well as candidates progressing through the recruiting pipeline.
The third function of ACMC is Officer Aviation Candidate Management is handled by the Candidate Management Cell (CMC). The CMC, with a small team of PCO and PCS staff, acts as the career management agency for all Air Force OA candidates from hire through to attainment of D Cat. The CMC is responsible for all career management aspects including selection, panelling to IOT and IET courses, engagement with training schools with regards to individual progression, postings of members awaiting further training ‘white time’, pay and promotions. In addition to this, the CMC also provide PCS support to the Aviation Screening Program and work closely with Defence Force Recruiting in panelling candidates to the Screening Program. The daily tasks undertaken by the CMC are broad and often require lateral thinking to come up with solutions that ensure a positive outcome for individual member’s circumstances and Air Force. The CMC team makes up a key element that supports the candidates as they progress through the training pipeline. In addition to the role of the CMC each Officer Aviation Candidate’s progression is tracked through the Aviation Progression Program headed up by a Behaviour Scientist.
ACMC is a young unit that has seen significant change as it matures into taking on the full mantle of responsibilities. The team at ACMC have proven to be highly flexible and motivated to ensure they get the job done, it has been a busy year so far and is set to get busier with the arrival of 1FTS at Sale in early 2019 and the commencement of the new pilot training system.