Originally Posted by
Geriaviator
I see that the RAF offers apprenticeships in many trades -- my father's old one, airframe fitter, starts at £25k and can rise to £40k if promoted to Corporal. How this compares to civvy street I don't know, certainly the RAF would need to match civvy rates if it wants to retain its experienced engineers. Having grown up in the quality MQs of t he 1940s and 50s I am shocked at the state of so much military accommodation, surely this has to deter anyone from making a career in the RAF or any Service come to that. Maybe not just the engineers are undervalued.
I would suggest that corporal is the equivalent of a licensed engineer. That is someone who signs for his own work and that of others. In commercial aviation airline/offshore helicopters that would probably bring in £60 plus.
Apprentices were being paid £25k 15 years ago with a further pay rise when they went to mechanic.!!!!!
Another issue is rate of time to promotion.
Cannot speak for whay happens today but at one time promotion to corporal in the air force was slow and to sergeant was dead mans shoes.
Army promotion was about 2 years to corporal and another 3 to sergeant.
Hence at one point quite a few RAF corporals transferred to the army. Couple of courses and promoted sergeant.
Working for a UK major airline I was on about £52k 18 years ago.