Work Placement with the RAF

[Rich H]

Would it be a possible to do a placement in the RAF? I would only be 14, and I don't really know of the most local air base to me.

[machineman9]

Probably, yes.

On the RAF website you should be able to find a section telling you about events going on in the area. This will be airshows, work experience, open days or anything like that.

There is also a map showing you where the RAF stations are based, so you can find your closest one.

You can also ring, or write to, the RAF station in question and ask them directly about it. This is good because the RAF website lists only set work placement weeks, but if you arrange it yourself then you should be fine. One of my Air Cadet friends did this and got a flight in a Hawk, so it is worth doing.


Events page for work experience, air shows and all that

Interactive map of the stations


From there, find your nearest one (or one you would like to visit) and get in touch!!

Hope this helps.

[Rich H]

Probably, yes.

On the RAF website you should be able to find a section telling you about events going on in the area. This will be airshows, work experience, open days or anything like that.

There is also a map showing you where the RAF stations are based, so you can find your closest one.

You can also ring, or write to, the RAF station in question and ask them directly about it. This is good because the RAF website lists only set work placement weeks, but if you arrange it yourself then you should be fine. One of my Air Cadet friends did this and got a flight in a Hawk, so it is worth doing.


Events page for work experience, air shows and all that

Interactive map of the stations


From there, find your nearest one (or one you would like to visit) and get in touch!!

Hope this helps.

Thanks definitely helped! We had a "work" day where different employers; such as the RAF come to school to talk about what they do. And I'm certainly more interested than ever!

[machineman9]

Yeah the RAF does look very appealing. Have you thought of joining up with them in a few years? Any idea on which role you would like?


Stations close to you include:

DCAE Cosford
RAF Shawbury
(getting further away)
RAF Wittering
RAF Brize Norton
RAF Kemble


Beyond that you will be starting to go fairly far out, but if you say what particular role you are interested in looking at, then some stations will be much better suited (and may indeed be worth travelling that extra distance)

Usually you can stay on base and I believe you go around in civilian clothing. The accomodation and food is also pretty good!

As you are 14 you may also consider joining the Air Training Corps if you are really interested in joining the RAF, or even just for the sake of doing something fun every now and then. I joined about 2 years ago when I was also 14 and you learn a lot. You get to visit the stations, go flying, learn skills for life (or life in the RAF!) and this could also help you find out all you want to know about the RAF.

[Hagar]

Yeah the RAF does look very appealing. Have you thought of joining up with them in a few years? Any idea on which role you would like?


Stations close to you include:

DCAE Cosford
RAF Shawbury
(getting further away)
RAF Wittering
RAF Brize Norton
RAF Kemble

Kemble is no longer an RAF station.

As you are 14 you may also consider joining the Air Training Corps if you are really interested in joining the RAF, or even just for the sake of doing something fun every now and then. I joined about 2 years ago when I was also 14 and you learn a lot. You get to visit the stations, go flying, learn skills for life (or life in the RAF!) and this could also help you find out all you want to know about the RAF.

I think that would be a very good idea even if you don't want to join the RAF. If you are interested you might like to check out Charlie's advice in this topic. http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1184871785

[machineman9]

Damn Google Earth! Told me Kemble still was.

[Hagar]

[quote]Damn Google Earth! Told me Kemble still was.

[Rich H]

Thanks for all your help and advice. I definitely think i'll check into the air cadets; just hope it wouldn't coincide with Scouts. My school does have a connexions office; I'll see what I can find out.

[C]

Richard,

For Cosford, not strictly and RAF station anymore, as it comes under the umbrella of the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering (DCAE), but contains a lot of interesting stuff if you planning to join a technical trade.

This is the contact for Work Experience coordinator - note that you cannot contact them directly; it has to be done through your schools work experience coordinators/head of year:

http://www.raf.mod.uk/dcaecosford/aboutus/workexperience.cfm

For Shawbury:

http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafshawbury/stationfacilities/workexperience.cfm

Cottesmore and Wittering don't publish the details in a quick scan.

Brize, in the station FAQs about half way down:

http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafbrizenorton/aboutus/faqs.cfm

In all cases, I think it's best to give the contacts to your school's work experience team.

C

[Anxyous]

I had my mandatory work experience in September last year, and wanted to go to the Royal Danish Air Force, but couldn't get a spot (it's possible though), and ended up in the army instead. It was a fantastic week!

[ozzy72]

I did work experience with the RAF back in the 80's. I'd be very surprised if you couldn't get a slot as they are having trouble recruiting and anything that encourages young people will be promoted I'm sure.
Did W.E. on helicopters, working with ground crew and blagging some amazing flights (just be prepared to make the tea)

[expat]

Did W.E. on helicopters, working with ground crew and blagging some amazing flights (just be prepared to make the tea)

And a lot of it

Matt

[Rich H]

Did W.E. on helicopters, working with ground crew and blagging some amazing flights (just be prepared to make the tea)

And a lot of it

Matt

Fine by me  ;D

[ozzy72]

Lets face it chaps, in the British military life without tea is a fantasy!
I always found it funny that our American cousins couldn't understand how we'd stop in the middle of a pitch battle for a brew.... honestly like the Iraqi army were going to interrupt a cuppa