I do not know, it used to be you didn't have to be hands on simply watched some work being carried out for experience etc, did you get that opportunity in the RAF or help out anywhere both Civi or RAF that you could put down as experience?
It seem like the RAF stitched you up royally when taking you on, woe be-told having anyone that actually knows what they are doing.
When I was in the RAF we had an Armourer Cpl who had been told he could re muster once in to a musician, he was a qualified music teacher with a degree!! needless to say he couldn't.
Your best bet is to have a word with licensing, but beware they know squat about the subject these days when you mention section L as most of them now are just clerks with no engineering experience. Have you tried Egoat?