Civilian Vs Military Technical training
 

Hi guys,
Ok so I'm 22, a fully qualified HGV technician looking to make the switch to aviation mechanics, I've always wanted to do this but always been a bit defeatist (not smart enough etc) but I truly think I can be a good engineer if I get given the chance to prove it.
My end goal is B1/B2 Engineer.
But for now I need to get my foot in the door, I've been made aware of civilian apprenticeships (which would suck going back to being an apprentice but its all about the end goal).
However the Royal Navy are currently recruiting for a fast-track apprenticeship into becoming an air engineer, alternative to this is just joining the RAF.
So the big question, civilian (12k-18k for a few years) or Military (32k in Navy, 18k in RAF). I know this is not all about the money and I want to do the job because I have a genuine interest in aircraft and the engineering that it entails but due to personal circumstances, I have to think about the salary also.

TL:DR ... Are there any particular benefits to doing a civilian apprenticeship or joining the military for getting into the aviation industry as a mechanic?

If you join as an engineer in any of the UK military arms you will receive good training,be pi55ed around by experts and (probably) have a ball. The draw back is that your military experience/training will count for little in the civil licencing world. Having done both,my advice would be to go straight to civil. Once you've completed you're apprenticeship and gained your licences and types,its well paid and the world is your oyster!

Try for an apprenticeship with the likes of BA,Virgin,TUI,Ryanair. Your existing qualification will be a positive. If you want to do it,apply and make it soon. Link below to CAA licencing, which has plenty of useful information. There are many other websites out there with useful info. The ALAE, (Association of Licenced Aircraft Engineers) website and contacts can be helpful.

https://www.caa.co.uk/Commercial-industry/Aircraft/Airworthiness/Engineer-licences/Part-66/Apply-for-an-EASA-Part-66-Aircraft-Maintenance-Licence/

I've loved my time as an engineer,have lived,worked and travelled all over the world. If I had my time over,I'd do it again!

Give it a go,you won't regret it!

Good luck!

I started off in the RAF for 12 years and the training was first class. With an eye on the bigger picture, I managed to avoid fighters and spent most of my time as a liney on the bigger aircraft, in particular the VC10 which came in handy when I came out into the civilian world. I did my A&C Licences as part of my resettlement program and came out with 2 job offers from major UK airlines. Since then I have progressed from technician, to Certifying Engineer and a couple of stints as supervisor and management. Now back as a B1 in an outstation as I missed being out on the aircraft rather than sat in an office arguing the toss in emails. So there is a career path there if with a bit of luck you can get the right postings in the military, and I'm sure there are guys out there who worked on Tornadoes and such like and now working in the civilian airline world quite successfully.

From what I hear, due to the lack of training spaces, competition for apprenticeship with the airlines places can be quite tough, but don't let it deter you. Start talking to RAF/RN Careers as well as applying for any civilian apprenticeships you can find, then see what offers you actually get back. Either way you stand a good chance of getting to your end goal, just the military route may take longer to B1/2, but with a bit more adventure.

West Atlantic at East Midlands Airport are advertising for an apprentice at the moment.

BA Cityflyer - https://jobs.ba.com/jobs/vacancy/ba-...6/description/

The facilities for training are top notch at NWI. I will have my take on the military vs Civil route.I did 25 years in the RAF. It was all on the fighters or on structural repair work. Sheetie work is sheetie work so the cross over for that side was simple for me. I did do the modules before I left but it took me 3 years on the tools to get the ticks in the boxes to get the basic AML. Took me longer to get that free type course with the job and the OJT as my employer never did the homework on the EASA 2012 rule changes for first type. The military do have a couple of types in service that you could get B1 on, Voyager or Shadow and you will get the training if you can get onto them. The military you will have more fun, but there is as Toms says positives and negatives with everything.

Thanks for the advice, I've had additional information from a relative who was in the Raf also for 10/12 years I believe too
I've applied for the fast track apprenticeship the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm is currently recruiting for, as it is the best balance of work and wages,
although I am waiting for Jet2 to release their apprentice scheme for this year as I have a family friend who is a significant figure within their engineering department who has said he will give me as much support as possible throughout the application process as he can!

Currently awaiting to sit my Psychometric test for the Royal Navy a week on Wednesday, and I've been told from relative that this will still hold me in good stead when trying to find a civilian job as it is still the same qualification achieved during my time there as the RAF offer; Just the experience might not be the same, but that would be up to a potential employer to decide if I am suitable anyway.
In contrast to this I've also been informed the aviation industry are in need of B1/B2 engineers, so hopefully an employer in years to come would still be willing to support my ambition to achieve B1/2 status and hopefully beyond.

Thanks for all the replies so far, and in regards to the BA Cityflyer apprenticeship, I did look before making this thread and I can't really afford an 18k a year drop in wages, otherwise I'd be willing to go for that say straight out of school for example.

Regards

While I do not want to do down the military, the training these days is a shadow of its past and I feel you would be better off progressing through the Civi side of things, as said partially due to the reduced services and a lack of engineers leaving the civilian sector had to pick up the training reigns to maintain their manning.
And that pains me to say being ex RAF A and C Camo etc.
Interesting how those ex miitary commenting were type specific during their careers, fighters etc, ( which it tends to be today) my experience was Rotary wing... Wessex, Puma, Chinook, followed by a Jag tour in RAFG and finishing up on the VC10, all first line.

BAe at Humberside run a training school, might be of interest.

Sounds like a similar path to myself. I was an apprentice HGV mechanic. I joined the RAF aged 20. I had a ball, did 12 years. I did my EASA Part 66 modules while still serving and got a job on offshore helicopters. Still doing that now.

Here you go, good luck.

Jet2 Apprentice

I've been out of the maintenance game for a number of years now.

What does the Apprentice Engineer role encompass?

Engines / Airframes / Avionics / Electrics. Some or all?

Thanks.

Lucky me
 

I was trained in the USA F and schools were great and the 8 years I did was mostly on large A/C.The main one being the KC135 i.e. B707 so joined BA at PIK till they shut down. On to Saudia where it was all large A/C as well. But as I say I was lucky not many jobs outside for F15 engineers.
Good luck doing the best job in the world.
Peter

Lucky me
 

Keep them up Boys

So i've passed my psychometric test, and sat my interview, I need to sort my debt out before I can join the Royal Navy, which they have an intake for my role in October, and I've pretty much already sorted the financial situation out.
The opportunity to join i've got is as a Leading Technician, so after my 2 year training I will end up being a supervisor - does this mean I wont actually get to work on aircraft and will only be watching / signing off other peoples work? Because I do want to get stuck in myself and do the job.

Jet2 have got back to me to carry out their own psychometric assessment, and I shall find out after the couple of interviews, assessment day, etc whether I have been successful, and the final decision will be made at the end of July, so I will find out the results before I am given the opportunity to join the Navy.
In this situation I will have to decide ultimately between civilian vs military.

Is the transition from military to civilian really that difficult? Is it hard to find an airline that will employ you whilst you are still re-locating?

Thanks again

So the Royal Navy intake as a leading hand (supervisor) is in Oct, the Jet2 final result is at the end of July, so i'll have to make my decision pending Jet2's answer.

Is it worth the hassle of transferring and having to go through the rigmarole of getting my part 66 and types if i decide to leave the military, for having the 4 years of military experience, and also how employable are you having only military experience and not the civilian qualifications? Would a company be put off at the idea of you having no civilian aviation experience or is it all just irrelevant and im thinking too far into it?

Cheers again