Undervalued Engineers?

[Krystal n chips]

Originally Posted by SlopJockey

Apparently a lack of Engineers is one of the underlying causes for delays in the fg trg system: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...aining-crisis/

Would any current or ex mil aircraft engineers join now considering the current "offer"?

Many things that were attractive and contributed massively to quality of life have been eroded; pay, pension, level of trg, sport, AT, accommodation or removed, overseas postings replaced by OOA ops, and one might say you will not miss what you've never had but without assessing and addressing or in that horrendous more recent parlance, taken learnings how it is really being fixed?

" KnC - nothing of substance for you to comment on "

Really ?...I am actually capable of thinking for myself, thank you, so, I will.

First, thanks to all who provided the full article which, it seems, is directed at Shawbury and, as has now been established, the alleged shortage of civilian contractors.

That said, my views relate to the last paragraph posted by the OP.
First, there have been significant changes within the RAF, but, some aspects remain the same.

The good bits. AT is very much alive and well. Lossie was a very popular first tour for many. in this respect. The gym has replaced the bar. Tertiary education opportunities are now far more extensive, and available. Gone are the days, when I applied to do "A" level English and was told, quote " I won't enrol you for an A level, you are an airman "...thanks.. t%^t ! The annual assessment farce now tends to negate, but not always, the embittered SNCO's. Promotion however is problematic.

The RAF has never really been capable of a promotion stream for airmen. Today, once you've made it to SAC (Tech) you are no longer judged on your professional ability alone. You will have a secondary duty and, a tertiary duty ("voluntary"..cough !) Assuming you make Cpl, you then face a very long wait to Sgt.

The potential recruit demographic has also changed. Very few came straight from school, several had dropped out of tertiary education, many had a service family background, hence they chose, wisely, the RAF or had considered the RN. Whilst they came from across the UK, the N.East was fertile recruitment territory. Most had life experience .

There was, however, one other what you might call uniting factor. VERY, VERY few had ambitions to progress to their personal snot and wee encrusted chair in the Sgts Mess. Joining the RAF was another way of compiling a varied CV...to get them started in the real world where such is expected. .

Conditions. I visited Brize (day trip) Coningsby, Wittering and Odiham. Stayed in a transit block at Coningsby, Sgt's Mess at the others. Encountered "pay to starve", already done to death on here (pun intended) I know. Wittering Sgt's Mess Annexe should have had a sign "Sponsored by the RAF / IW Museum" it was that ancient. Had an "exchange" of views with some pious Flt.Lt in the Combined Mess for wearing a fleece... at breakfast !....he lost ! but, also revelation as to how one Sqdn, c/o their senile W.O treated AMM's "tyre kickers and arm wavers ". Contrast this to Odiham where somebody had done some thinking. True, on arrival, they went on the Line, but, then they were gradually introduced to Depth (second line for our elderly contributors) plus, they would do an OOA, but, wherever possible, would also get a jolly somewhere. The logic being, Odiham wanted them back as techs...seemingly, from a cross section we spoke to, this worked very well.

Training.

True, it has been significantly diluted to the bare basics which did the baby AMM's no favours, but did ensure they were considered safe to work on live aircraft. In theory, they did 18months before returning for the tech course. Strangely, this period became shorter, certainly for Avionics engineers. Training delivery styles have also evolved...I was a big fan / practitioner of EBT / VLE because the student was more actively involved with the instructor almost taking a back seat, obviously teaching the basics, but then more mentoring and encouraging the trainee to develop themselves, and, their knowledge. Got two commendations in fact for innovative delivery....plus having a sense of humour.

It was, at times, very frustrating as to the level of engineering, practical and theoretical, we could deliver. Some of the module handouts were " dire" .

I will say, when asked about the future, I encouraged trainees to apply for transport or rotary ..and avoid the FJ world if possible.

There was one other constant however. There remained a cadre of "resistant to change at all cost" SNCO's and, the well established incompetence of the Engineering Branch members.