BigHeadNuts,
TAKE NOTE,
As you point out the RAF is reducing its numbers from 48K to 41K. (There are rumours going on of 38K - 35K!!!). Of these redundancies approximately 50% are from engineering.
Life as we know it!
Right then - the New Aircraft Tech's. I was on a course this year and we were informed by instructors from the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering at RAF Cosford, where their training is carried out, that they were only taking on in the region of 200 technicians this financial year! In comparative terms with the norm this is incredibly low. They initially serve a 9 year engagement in which if you get promoted you can sign on for longer engagements.
The same can be said of the Officer Engineer branch. After graduating from university the opportunity exists to enter directly and opt for a short term (6Yrs) or Permanent Commission (PC – 16 Yrs). If you are inside the Air force you could elect to apply for a PC. However there is growing unrest at the percentage of EngO’s from the ranks verses the direct entrants (I believe approximately 65-70% Ex rankers) – This is very elitist but that the way some from the very top think!!!
I know the majority short term EngO’s are not being signed on due to the cuts and along side this there is a very large reduction in acceptance from the ranks to officer level. In short right now they don’t have to take on new blood - at any level.
Question yourself. Why start as a Mechanic and progress to an officer when the route inside is notoriously difficult. Mechs/Techs and Officers are worlds apart in terms of the job specification let alone pay and conditions – even though both carriers are now managed. There is greater scope for a wider range of employment as an officer. As an aircraft technician in the near future you may only have a choice of eight aircraft 'superbases' to work from.
You seam to have the right attitude in respect to personal development by wanting to get a degree. I could not agree more with views already expressed by fellow ppruners in particular those of Blacksheep – Enjoy the delights of a good education and develop interests that will be both mentally and physically challenging to you.
If you were to pursue education to degree level through the RAF it is not entirely free. The initial stages are however. After your basic training you will be expected to complete a BTEC to level 3 over a three year period (There are plans afoot to take this up in increments to HND/Degree level for SNCO's). You could elect to fast track yourself by studying a day-release-course at a local college to get you to HNC level - the minimum academic standard for EngO but watch what you study due to the contents having to be pertinent to your field of employment. Financially you can claim Standard Learning Credits (SLC) that will pay £175 or 80% of the course fee per academic year (which ever is the lesser) which you claim back i.e. you will be responsible for the whole fee at the beginning of the course. Or, if you are in that long, after eight years Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) which will pay 80% of the fee (this is caped at £2000 in total at present but is going up) at the beginning of the course leaving you to pay the final 20% (and no you can not get this 20% on the SLC scheme).
Life at the moment is very turbulent in the engineering fraternity but it won’t last for ever IMHO. It can’t, particularly when it is realised that the government has gone too far with it current military policy. (I shall get off of this soap box before I get started). However if you look at things practically from your point of view you have time on your side. Think long and hard about where you want to be in say ten years time and look at all the options of getting there – you never know certain opportunities may take you down another route!
You would do well to talk to
your local careers office however if you know any one who has mates in the RAF talk to them. Better still join the ATC or get the RAF to pay for your university education and join the OTC (Officer Training Corps).
That should answer a lot of your thoughts - it sounds gloomy and to be frank at this point in time it is - BUT it can't last forever.
What ever path you tread good luck.
PB