The Royal Navy – Naval Airman Aircraft Handler Aviation Ground Operative Apprenticeship

Type: Apprentice
Location: Hampshire (PO2 8BY)

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

• Your core responsibility is to ensure our aircraft are in the right place and ready for action when we need them
• On a ship, you’ll operate the lift that brings the aircraft out of the hangar before securing them to the flight deck
• Sometimes you’ll be up against challenging weather conditions, so it’s an element of your role that requires real skill, judgement, and perseverance.
• During training you’ll develop the skills you need to fight fuel, hangar, and aircraft fires. That means in the event of an emergency, everyone will look to you for guidance
• You’ll need to use all of your powers of concentration, every day. As you manoeuvre aircraft into place, lives may be at stake. Any driving experience you have will be put to use as you form part of the team that keeps our aircraft flight ready
• It’s a physical job where you’ll work outside in all conditions, but by making sure that our jets and helicopters are in the right place at the right time, you’ll be playing a key role in providing Royal Navy’s airborne capability

Where you’ll work

Navy Command HQ
The Admiral Sir Henry Leach Building
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO2 8BY

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

ROYAL NAVY

Training course

Aviation ground operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

Training schedule

• Aviation ground operative Level 2

• Functional Skills, if required
• Training delivery to be confirmed 
• Once you have completed your training you will be a qualified Naval Airman Aircraft Handler (Aviation Ground Operative)

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Physical fitness

Other requirements

When you join you complete 10 weeks of basic naval training, followed by six months at the Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose in Cornwall, working in an aircraft hangar or a flight deck team. You’ll learn to use the lifts, mechanical handlers and chocks and lashings used on board ship. When you’ve finished, you’ll be posted to your first unit.

About this employer

The Royal Navy (RN) is responsible for the protection of British interests at home and around the World. 95% of all world trade passes through the high seas and every year Britain imports £524 billion worth of goods.

The RN takes an active part in the protection of British Shipping. Around the United Kingdom the RN protects vital fishing stocks by monitoring fishing activities in our waters.

We recruit throughout the year, so please ignore Key Dates

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers (opens in new tab)

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