AIR FORCE TRADES CONTENTS INTRODUCTION TO THE TAKE YOUR TRADE FURTHER IN THE AIR FORCE .................................4 QUALIFIED TRADES ...........................................................................12 AIR FORCE TRADES AIRCRAFT SPRAY PAINTER ...............................................................13 ELECTRICIAN ....................................................................................14 It may come as a surprise to you but the Air Force has a lot to offer tradies in a vast variety of jobs. Becoming FITTER & TURNER .............................................................................15 part of one of Australia’s most dynamic organisations will give you the opportunity to work on some of the TRAINEESHIPS ..................................................................................16 most advanced aircraft and sophisticated equipment available. You’ll be in an environment where you will be AIRCRAFT ARMAMENT TECHNICIAN .................................................17 challenged and have an opportunity to gain new skills, or even further the skills you already have. AERONAUTICAL LIFE SUPPORT FITTER .............................................18 AIRCRAFT TECHNICIAN .....................................................................19 AVIONICS TECHNICIAN ......................................................................20 CARPENTER ......................................................................................21 COMMUNICATION ELECTRONIC TECHNICIAN ....................................22 MOTOR MECHANIC ............................................................................23 PLUMBER..........................................................................................24 NEXT STEPS ......................................................................................27 TAKE YOUR TRADE FURTHER IN THE AIR FORCE It may come as a surprise to you but the Air Force has a lot to offer tradies in a vast variety of jobs. Becoming part of one of Australia’s most dynamic organisations will give you the opportunity to work on some of the most advanced aircraft and sophisticated equipment available. You’ll be in an environment where you will be challenged and have an opportunity to gain new skills, or even further the skills you already have. Here’s a quick look at the different types of Air Force trades jobs. CONSTRUCTION TRADES LEAVE YOUR MARK ⁄ Carpenter Being a tradie in the Air Force gives you the chance to ⁄ Plumber look back at the end of a day and think “I really made ⁄ Electrician a difference.” It will open your eyes to situations and TECHNICAL TRADES people in ways you’d never expect, as you could have the opportunity to use your highly sought-after skills as ⁄ Motor Mechanic part of a natural disaster relief effort, or constructing (Ground Support Equipment Technician) infrastructure for remote communities. ⁄ Fitter & Turner (Ground Mechanical Engineering Fitter) GAIN SOME STABILITY ⁄ Communication Electronic Technician A downside to job hunting or working for yourself is living AVIATION TRADES with the hassle of wondering ‘when and where will my ⁄ Aeronautical Life Support Fitter next pay cheque be coming from?’ Trade jobs in the Air Force provide that sense of financial security you need for ⁄ Aircraft Armament Technician yourself, your family and most importantly, your future. ⁄ Aircraft Spray Painter ⁄ Aircraft Structural Technician ⁄ Aircraft Technician ⁄ Avionics Technician 4 AIR FORCE TRADES THE TRAINING YOU’LL NEED This is where you’ll learn your trade or post graduate training if you are already trade qualified. We’re looking for people of all ages and levels of work Depending on which trade you’ve chosen and any experience. If you’re qualified, your civilian skills may previous qualifications you hold, Initial Employment transfer directly into the Air Force with minimum on- Training typically takes between 6-18 months to the-job training. If you’re unqualified, there are many complete. On completion of your Initial Employment traineeship positions available where the Air Force Training, you’ll then be posted to a RAAF Base or will provide all the relevant training needed to become Defence Establishment where you’ll continue with on- fully qualified. the-job training for a further 12-24 months. Whether you’re entering as a trainee or fully qualified If you’re keen to develop your skills further, the Air tradie, your first stop will be initial military training at Force will help you undertake additional training Number 1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU) at RAAF Base relevant to your trade – in most cases training is paid Wagga, New South Wales. You’ll receive training over for and takes place during working hours. 10 and a half weeks which will give you the foundation on which to build a successful career. You’ll cover All Air Force trade traineeships come with nationally subjects like basic military skills, physical training, accredited TAFE equivalent qualifications. They also drill, first aid, weapons handling and how to be a guarantee you a job on completion of your productive team member. specialist training. Upon graduation from your recruit training, you’ll undergo your Initial Employment Training. AIR FORCE TRADES 7 LIVING THE LIFE As with most good jobs, you need to be able to strike the proper work/life balance. The standard working week for a tradie in the Air Force is approximately 40 hours after which you’re free to spend your after-hours and weekends doing as you please. Naturally, as a Defence organisation, there will be occasions where you will be needed to assist in activities that fall outside of the ‘normal’ definition of a working week; however, a service allowance is provided to compensate for this. There are plenty of clubs and sporting teams you can join in the Air Force, plus you’ll get the opportunity to travel within Australia and possibly overseas on exercises and deployments. You get subsidised rent and low interest rate home loans, free healthcare and 18% superannuation. AIR FORCE RESERVE If you’re looking for a part-time job that’s worthwhile to you and to the community, then why not put your skills to work in the Air Force Reserves? You’ll be a vital part of the organisation and your contribution to the Air Force as a whole will be highly valued. It’s a great way to give some real purpose to your spare time, where you will have an opportunity to travel on exercises and work in a unique environment in complete contrast to your everyday job. Trade jobs available in the Air Force Reserve include: ⁄ Carpenter (Qualified) ⁄ Electrician (Qualified) ⁄ Plumber (Qualified) AIR FORCE TRADES 9 WHAT YOU’LL BE PAID FULL TIME Upon completion of your recruit training, you’ll receive a competitive starting salary package. The package details vary depending on your job and rank however all include free healthcare, subsidised accommodation and a generous 18% super contribution. RESERVE Members of the Reserves are paid at a daily rate of pay, which is tax-free. In addition, you’ll receive a generous Service Allowance, uniforms and may be eligible for free meals and accommodation while on active Reserve duty in specific instances. Information is correct at time of printing and is subject to change. For the latest information, call 13 19 01 or visit defencejobs.gov.au/airforce 10 AIR FORCE TRADES QUALIFIED TRADES AIRCRAFT SPRAY PAINTER AIRCRAFT SPRAY PAINTER WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING HOW YOU’LL GET THERE In this role, you will get to work on After recruit training, you’ll be posted ELECTRICIAN some of the most powerful, expensive to our major repaint facility (currently and advanced aircraft in Australia. The at RAAF Base Tindal, in the Northern job tasks include painting metallic and Territory) as an Aircraft Spray Painter. FITTER & TURNER composite surfaces on aircraft such as There you’ll complete up to 35-weeks the huge C-17A Globemaster III, to a multi- on-the-job training before being posted (GROUND MECHANICAL million dollar F/A-18F Super Hornet. to a field unit. ENGINEERING FITTER) You’ll also be involved in stenciling and the application of tapes and decals. Best WHAT YOU NEED of all – there are plenty of opportunities You must have a Certificate III Automotive to travel throughout Australia and around Engineering (Automotive Body Refinishing). the world. AIR FORCE TRADES 13 FITTER & TURNER ELECTRICIAN (GROUND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING FITTER) WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING Officer – a position for senior airmen and WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING WHAT YOU NEED airwomen who demonstrate expertise in Don’t just do the everyday sparkie job. their field. Think you’re a jack-of-all-trades? That’s ⁄ Certificate Level III in the Engineering- Work with the best equipment on the most what’s required for this position. As Mechanical Trade or equivalent; exciting technology. You’ll find yourself a Fitter & Turner (Ground Mechanical WHAT YOU NEED ⁄ Year 10 pass in English. installing, maintaining and repairing power Engineering Fitter), you’ll be working on and lighting systems, and other electrical ⁄ Certificate III in Electrical or Dated the repair, modification and refurbishment equipment on a scale that’s bigger than equivalent - Trade Certificate in of Ground Support Equipment (GSE), you ever imagined: how about installing Electrical Mechanical, Certificate aircraft arrestor systems and small arms runway lighting on a temporary airstrip in of Completion of Apprenticeship weapons. the middle of the desert? The adventure Electrician; and starts now. ⁄ It is essential to hold