The Royal Navy - Survival Equipment Technician Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships are open from age 16, once you have finished Year 11 (S4 in Scotland).
About the role
As a Survival Equipment Technician, you’ll make sure your crewmates and passengers are fully equipped and know what to do in an emergency on board a Royal Navy aircraft.
You’ll look after the crew’s protective gear, such as:
- Immersion suits
- Flying helmets
- Oxygen masks
- Parachutes
- Emergency breathing equipment
Duties will involve but not limited to:
You will maintain the aircraft’s survival packs, radio beacons, distress flares, life jackets and life rafts. And most importantly, you’ll train people to use them in an emergency.
You’ll also instruct on how to escape underwater from a ditched helicopter and other conduct survival drills.
You will have the opportunity to serve on the world's most advanced aircraft carriers and with new and exciting aircraft forces, including the F35B Lightning Stealth fighter at RAF Marham, the Merlin Mk2 Submarine Hunter at RNAS Culdrose, the Merlin Mk4 Helicopter and the Wildcat Maritime Attack Helicopter at RNAS Yeoviliton.
Requirements
Working week
Shifts to be confirmed, Total hours per week: 40.00
Skills
Required qualifications
Training & development
Once you have completed your training you will be a qualified - Survival Equipment Technician - Survival Equipment Fitter.
Functional Skills in English and maths if required.
Training and development continues throughout your career with the Royal Navy. It takes place in two distinct environments: at onshore training facilities and on-board operational ships.
When you join, you complete 10-weeks of basic naval training, followed by seven months at the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering in Gosport. There you’ll learn survival drills and how to maintain, repair and pack parachutes, life rafts and survival packs, with regular tests to check your progress. You will also carry out a basic survival course and learn how to help with survival training, so you will need a good level of fitness and be a competent swimmer. You’ll then spend time at a Royal Naval Air Station, working closely with experienced aircrew to develop real-world knowledge and skills, before you qualify to sign off servicing work as complete.
you will also gain the following qualifications during your training.
- Level 2 Aerospace and Aviation
- Level 3 Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering Survival Equipment Maintenance
After a further period of skills and technical knowledge development all apprentices will be required to achieve the following qualification (working title - currently in development)
- Level 3 Aerospace and Aviation
If you show the right commitment, skills and academic ability, you could become a Commissioned Officer.
Members of the Royal Navy are promoted on merit. Work hard and you can rise through the ranks.
Things to consider
Training and development continues throughout your career with the Royal Navy. It takes place in two distinct environments: at onshore training facilities and on-board operational ships. When you join, you complete 10 weeks of basic naval training, followed by seven months at the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering in Gosport.