Up to 1969/1970, the RAF had an apprentice scheme to produce 5-trade [airframe/propulsion/electrical/air comms/air radar] "super-techs". Following a 5-year course, they graduated as a cpl and were boarded for promotion to sgt every 6 months whilst undergoing "improver training" on units. Some achieved chf tech in their late-20s/early-30s and were great "force multipliers" for the high intensity operations conducted on fast-jet sqns in the late-1970s to late-1980s, being particularly suited as the exercise/evaluation mobile "eyes and ears" / crew-in snag go/no-go advisors for engineering C2 personnel in the hardened Sqn Ops Facility and being of great utility on detachment recce teams (reducing numbers).
I have great sympathy for those who have to manage the current environment at 1st-line.
Last edited by RAFEngO74to09; 25th Jan 2015 at 18:48.