The general knowledge of LAEs and Mechanics is higher that the military, not surprising as knowledge on any type is earned by experience, and many LAEs are time served civilian apprenctices of 20+ years experience.. Then again many are ex RAF! However the health and safety ascepts of some companies is a joke compared to the RAF, but hey, that costs money! (not as much as the compensation claim later mind!) Its getting use to the differing terminology, practices that are mandatory, the fact that the LAE has the last shout if a job is good enough or not, commericial pressures to get the job done in time, although safety and quality should never be compromised, etc, etc.. AMM, IPC and SRM are similar to Topic 1, 3 & 6, but ATA 100 format is the order of the game.. forget chap 15 is airframe!
Many RAF people have made the jump, helpful if you have done some EASA modules, because you will have some idea what the differences are, but you are classed as time served.. Agencies don't mind that, however you need a valid HF/FTS2/EWIS cert to get into connying...Plus the basic tool kit!