We have more than 50 different careers on offer and you’ll be joining a working community of over 40,000 people. Whatever your interests, there will be a job that suits you. You can take your career as far as you like, with no limits apart from your own determination and capability. Don’t have any qualifications? There are still 18 jobs to choose from, and you can gain an NVQ Level 2 in all of them, early on. Just graduated? There are great fast-track opportunities.

Training

We don’t just drop you into an office and say ‘so-and-so will show you the ropes’: your career with the RAF starts with an intense period of training. That commitment to your development continues right through your time with us.

You’ll start with initial training, which teaches you about our culture and equips you with the basic skills for working in a military organisation. You’ll then do specialist training created for your chosen career, which will often give you nationally recognised qualifications – like an NVQ Level 2 if you train as a Chef.

You’ll keep on learning through both hands-on experience and further training. Every base has a training centre and we will give you every encouragement to gain further qualifications through private study or day-release courses, often sponsoring you for professional qualifications.

Shelley Mann
Supplier

‘The RAF really pushes you to develop yourself and totally invests in you. For example, they’ve financed all the training courses I’ve done, including one in sales and marketing. And they really recognise and reward you for good work.’

Variety

We’re looking for people who want to go somewhere in life. Every couple of years, you’ll be posted to a new station or working area, chosen to give you more experience and responsibility. You won’t get stuck with one boss.

Promotion

At the start of your career, you’ll be promoted by passing specialist tests and getting good annual appraisals. After that, how far and how fast you go is up to you. There are great opportunities available to all airmen/airwomen and you can still apply to be an officer at any time, if you meet the qualifying criteria.

After the RAF

You’ll get plenty of interest from civilian employers when you leave. You’ll be highly trained, formally qualified, have a wealth of experience and be used to taking responsibility.

If you stay with us for 18 years, you’ll also leave with a full pension and a tax-free lump sum (equivalent to three years’ pension), so you can afford to take your time while you decide what you’re going to do next.