Originally Posted by
TURIN
When the UK armed forces contracted in the late 70s and 80s there was a rush of great engineering personnel into civilian roles, about the same time the civilian companies reduced their apprentice intakes dramatically, in fact, some stopped recruiting completely.
There is now a shortage across the industry of suitably qualified and competent mechanics and engineers.
I've no idea what the pay rates are in the armed forces but a post apprenticeship mechanic can now expect between £40k and £50k. Licenced Engineers, almost double that.
Totally agree, I cannot get Mechanics or Licenced Engineers to fill the vacancies I have, and civi street wages far outstrips the pay the RAF offers. Plus you get to go home at night.
The RAF website mentions service benefits like subsidised food and gym being a perk that Civilians do not get on top of their wage.
As a Civi engineer I eat very well thank you, as I can afford too, because I get paid a lot more, so do not need subsidised food, no matter how good it isn’t.
My job comes with gym membership, health, dental, eye care, electric car schemes etc..
I can easily afford a mortgage, so some run down cheap married quarter slum is not required either..
Also I too can travel, as they mentioned that as a perk too, though the locals don’t tend to shoot at you on my trips abroad
According to these pay rates, a warrant officers wage doesn’t even come up to that of a LAE’s basic pay and that’s without the extra licences, types ratings, shift allowances etc, in-fact you would be looking at senior Sqn Leader, Wing Commander rates.
http://www.armedforces.co.uk/rafpayscales.php