Advanced
Apprenticeship LevelOperational firefighter (level 3)
Apprenticeship StandardSummary
A unique opportunity to complete an advanced apprenticeship in Operational Firefighter, with an Ofsted outstanding training provider. You'll be working with some of the most advanced equipment and aircraft in the world and play a key part in the UKs defence. With over 65 places available across the year, Apply today!
RAF Firefighters provide a deployable Aerodrome & Rescue Firefighting capability to Defence in the UK and overseas. When in the UK your role will be to maintain immediate readiness to respond to fight fires and effect rescue from military aircraft.
Whilst in your role you will:
- Provide a first response to emergencies on the Defence estate and assist in providing fire safety awareness to Station personnel
- Be required to deploy within short time frame in the UK and overseas to support operations and exercises in potentially austere environments
- Be trained to use highly specialised vehicles and equipment including the new Defence capability of High Reach Extendable Turrets
- Resolve incidents involving aircraft, buildings, hazardous substances and incidents caused by hostile activities
- Work in a close-knit team on the aerodrome and your daily tasks will include ensuring that specialised vehicles and equipment is tested and inspected whilst also maintaining and honing your professional firefighter skills
Like most people in the RAF, you could move jobs every few years as part of your through service career management and have the opportunity to diversify and experience a wide range of jobs and equipment.
You will be able to set preferences for the location and type of employment you would like to undertake and there may also the opportunity to undertake roles outside of your specialisation.
(Note: due to the sophistication and efficiency of aircraft, and advancements in early fire detection on MOD establishments, fire crews spend significantly less time responding to aircraft and domestic fires than historically attended.)
Employment
£25,200 a year
Wage40
Hours Per Week2 Aug 2025
Expected Start DateShifts to be confirmed on assignment to your first station after training.
Working Week3 Years
Expected DurationEmployer
Royal Air Force
Employer Namehttps://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/roles/rol
Employer WebsiteNottingham, NG1 2ND, Nottingham
Employer AddressThe Royal Air Force work with our UK and international partners to watch the skies, respond to threats, prevent conflict, and provide assistance in an uncertain world. We provide all personnel with a varied range of training and activities to make sure you're ready for anything. A career in the Royal Air Force will provide you with a whole host of possibilities. You will receive world class training, allowing you to learn and develop throughout your career. We recruit throughout the year, so please ignore the closing and start dates.
Training Provider
ROYAL AIR FORCE
Training ProviderTraining To Be Provided
Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Operational Firefighter.
On successful completion of the application and selection process, your apprenticeship will start with a 10-week Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you’ll also learn about the RAF lifestyle.
The 14 weeks specialist Firefighter training course takes place at the Defence Fire Training Unit Moreton-in-Marsh. The specialist course will teach you:
- Fire Extinguisher Maintenance
- Fire Service Drill
- Breathing Apparatus Operations
- Structural Firefighting Operations
- Road Traffic Incident Techniques
- Aircraft Construction
- Aviation Firefighting Operations
- You will deal with ‘live’ practice fires and gain experience of specialist crash rescue fire-fighting vehicles
As part of specialist training, you will be enrolled on to a Level 3 Operational Firefighter Apprenticeship. This is a 12-24-month programme you will complete as part of your daily duties.
Desired Applicant
Skills
Communication skills, Organisation skills, Problem solving skills, Analytical skills, Logical, Team working, Initiative, Patience, Physical fitness
Qualifications
English Language GCSE or equivalent (C/4 or above) Essential, Mathematics GCSE or equivalent (C/4 or above) Essential
How To Apply
To learn more about this apprenticeship vacancy, and for instructions on how to apply, please view the vacancy on the GOV.UK Find An Apprenticeship Service.