RAF aircraft engineer seeking career change...

[Osian85]

Hello everyone, I have had a good look around and found this place to be an excellent source of information for all things railways and railway careers.

I am very interested in changing careers as soon as the RAF will release me, either railway engineering or train driving, with the latter being my preferred option even though all my skills and qualifications are in engineering.

Im sure it will be pretty simple to search through threads at all the already excellent advice and guidance available, so what i'm looking for here is to speak with people who have made the same career change.

What was your job before?

What is your job now?

How did you find the transition?

Any regrets?

Any other advice?

Many, many thanks in advance everyone, I look forward to hearing from you.

 

[Nym]

A quick but possibly dumb question would be;

What kind of 'engineering' did you do? (And does it need the '...'?)

Also;

Officer or NCO?

Finally,

On the engineering or 'engineering' side of things, would you be more interested in discipline engineering, project engineering or engineering management?

As a PS: are you a member of any professional institutions?

 

[Osian85]

Thanks for your response.

Well currently Im a Weapons Technician with an NVQ level 3 in Aeronautical Engineering and a BTEC level 3 in Engineering. Additionally Im studying an Engineering Degree and have just about completed year one, which is equivalent to a HND.

Anyway my current role: I work on the Typhoon aircraft where my job is not only to fix it when it breaks; replacing components of electrical and mechanical nature and subsequent testing, but to install weapons such as missiles and bombs. Additionally I fit and remove some really scary stuff like ejection seats and other explosives. None of which is relevant to driving a train, I know.

In the past, in this diverse trade, I have also worked in bays taking components apart, repairing, rebuilding and testing.

NCO or officer: Currently Im a corporal, so I have supervisor experience too.

As for what type of engineering on the railways well actually I don't know much about it other than I will give most things a go, being 'out and about' using tools and equipment to build, rebuild, repair etc. So discipline engineering and engineering management.

Oh and professional institutions that's a no.

 

[whoosh]

I work with another train driver who used to work in the RAF doing exactly what you are describing. Although I think it was Harriers he was on.

So it's a career change that can be done.

I think he's happy and has no regrets. I would say the only thing that he would say was challenging was learning all the rules and traction - but that's the same for everyone really. The longer it's been since you've been in a classroom, the harder it is to take in. Having said that, I don't think he struggled with anything - it's just quite heavy going at times.

Good luck with whatever you try for on the railway. Your experience of following instructions and procedures, particularly with explosives and ammunition, how to make sure you're safe in potentially unsafe circumstances, shift work, as well as decision making, would all be attributes the railway would be interested in.

 

[TheEdge]

The railways have no issues taking on ex-military, its really common from all forces. I trained with an ex-submariner and work with a heap of ex army and RAF people from all sorts of military backgrounds.

 

[FGW_DID]

There's that many Ex RAF at my place (me included) we could have our own RAFA branch!!

 

[subforce]

I have just done exactly that, I was avionics tech, left last year and got a job on the engineering side, then I decided to go for driver and got that, starting in 2 weeks time! Pm me if you like... I take it your pvr coincided with the new pay model they just released?

 

[Osian85]

Just tried to PM you, seems im not worthy, must be a forum rule of somekind, too few posts...

And yes about the new pay model, although I have been wanting to do this for around a year now the latest announcement has been a foot in my back!

 

[oxoneil]

Ex rigger here, did 23 years and am 50 this year. Applied to GWR in November 2013 and currently on hold waiting for courses to start up again. I've been told Oxford is pretty loaded with ex HM Forces and have often been told that we have a lot of positive attributes for the driver role. Looking at where you are you will probably have a better chance of getting in if you're prepared to relocate. However, if you're in the Banbury, Oxfordshire and Aylesbury triangle yout have Chiltern and GWR as options.

 

[AntoniC]

Just tried to PM you, seems im not worthy, must be a forum rule of somekind, too few posts...

And yes about the new pay model, although I have been wanting to do this for around a year now the latest announcement has been a foot in my back!

You have to make 5 posts before you can PM anyone

(My dad did 25 years in the RAF when they still had bases abroad - I was born in West Germany).

 

[Pacerpilot]

Hello mate.
Im an ex Armourer, been on the railway ten years, after novelty of tents, sand and being mortar'd wore off. I started as a shunter driver, then passenger driver and now work on the freight side.
Hurry up and get your post count count past 5 and Ill PM you my email address.
NEM has really screwed you guys over. Lets get you out of that nonsense and into a proper job

 

[Osian85]

Ah 5 posts, that was the problem, this should do the trick...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
...and PM sent!

 

[Malc492]

Currently in exactly the same position, except I'm based in Swindon. My dad is driving freight for Colas which got me thinking of making the change then the New Modal for the RAF has cemented my decision to move. So any advice would be gratefully appreciated. I'll get the 5 threads done as soon as I can so I can PM people. Thanks in advance.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Osian85, did you know you can register with an engineering body and the RAF will pay for it? I'm not entirely sure how it works, whether you have to pay and claim it back or if they pay straight away. There was a link to it on the RAF homepage on DII last week. Ideally I'd like to get a driving job but if that fails then I'll look at engineering, register and as soon as I find something I'll whack my PVR in. Have you had any luck finding anything yet?

 

[Osian85]

Hi Malc, thanks for the info, I will look into that.

No I haven't found anything yet its still early days, I just spent all my time researching the railway sector and updating my CV! I have a few friends in the industry, and have recently made a few more, setting myself up for the transition before diving in.

Best of luck to you, sounds like you have had enough too.

 

[Cheggers]

Hello mate,

I left the RAF in April 2015 after 19.5 years. Left on retirement terms, was in RAF Regt for 13 years then got commission for last 6.5 years of my career. Sounds like I left at right time - I grabbed my pension and ran.

A week after I left RAF I joined LM as a Senior Conductor at Leamington Spa. Love the job and location, people are really nice and location for me is perfect as I live 15 mins away in Coventry.

I have no regrets whatsoever, the only downside is I'm on trainee pay scale until May this year but I'm lucky I have my pension to bolster my pay. On the flip side there's plenty of overtime and Sunday work to be had, if you want it.

I have also recently been shortlisted for Trainee Train Driver role At Leamington/ Coventry and awaiting first interview which hopefully should be soon.

Good luck, be patient and you won't regret it.

 

[RedZed]

Another former Rockape here currently languishing in the GTR talent pool for trainee driver since Sept last year. Left the mob in 2001 but followed another career path at the time then looked at train driving opportunities in 2014 on the advice of another former Rockape who is currently driving freight. I'm quite pleased that I passed everything first go, and to the enhanced standard that GTR require.
If the Rockape's can get in then a techie should present no problems at all

 

[oxoneil]

Another former Rockape here currently languishing in the GTR talent pool for trainee driver since Sept last year. Left the mob in 2001 but followed another career path at the time then looked at train driving opportunities in 2014 on the advice of another former Rockape who is currently driving freight. I'm quite pleased that I passed everything first go, and to the enhanced standard that GTR require.
If the Rockape's can get in then a techie should present no problems at all

Albeit a slightly downgraded one

Only joking, my current Sgt is an ex-armourer.

 

[Dave1987]

Albeit a slightly downgraded one

Only joking, my current Sgt is an ex-armourer.

I presume you still get taught - "A I'm an armourer, B I'm an armourer, C I'm an armourer"?

 

[Malc492]

We won't be allowed to learn the alphabet after the 1st of April due to the NEM and they're downgrading our crayons to from Crayola to Asda own brand.
I'm going to enrol on the 1 day intensive "how2become" course once I know what dates I'll be in the country.
Do most company's recruit internally? GFW are looking for qualified drivers but it says they are looking to recruit internally, otherwise I haven't seen much advertised.

 

[DarloRich]

The railways have no issues taking on ex-military, its really common from all forces. I trained with an ex-submariner and work with a heap of ex army and RAF people from all sorts of military backgrounds.

We have several ex RAF & Navy engineers working with us - there must be loads of them in the railways

 

[NHG66]

We won't be allowed to learn the alphabet after the 1st of April due to the NEM and they're downgrading our crayons to from Crayola to Asda own brand.
I'm going to enrol on the 1 day intensive "how2become" course once I know what dates I'll be in the country.
Do most company's recruit internally? GFW are looking for qualified drivers but it says they are looking to recruit internally, otherwise I haven't seen much advertised.

Malc,

ex RAF techie here and now train driver. My advice is to save your money as there is nothing that course will teach you that you cannot find out on here or on other sites that a bit of simple googling will throw up. Bottom line is, the Psychometric tests are not something you can learn to pass on a course, your brain is wired a certain way and these tests are designed to select those candidates that fit a certain profile. At my depot we have ex techies, a rockape, a snowdrop, a steward, a GSe tech and an ex Flt Lt Navigator as well as ex Naval and RM personnel. So you can see that there is a wide range of academic levels ( as per what the RAF would require) but they all fit the same psych profile.
As long as you do some leg work yourself, there are plenty of drivers on here who are willing to help with info. Best of luck with it, 3 years in and I have no regrets.

 

[Malc492]

Well I've got my psychometric assessment on Wednesday with the OPC in Watford. Anyone have any good advice? I bought all the How 2 and testing series books and have completed all the examples with varying levels of success. I just wondered if anyone had any tips for the day that might help?

 

[donpoku]

Well I've got my psychometric assessment on Wednesday with the OPC in Watford. Anyone have any good advice? I bought all the How 2 and testing series books and have completed all the examples with varying levels of success. I just wondered if anyone had any tips for the day that might help?

Just need plenty of rest before the day and You'll be fine as your preparation is spot on. All the best.

 

[NHG66]

Best of luck mate. Cannot offer advice as the tests have changes since I started but if they are similar, speed AND accuracy are what they wanted but do not sacrifice accuracy for speed if that makes sense, was certainly the case with the group bordon tests. If you get through, get your post count up to 5 so you can PM me and I can give you some pointers towards the interview etc.

 

[Malc492]

Well I think the test went okay. Some parts I am confident I did very well but others I am not as confident. Just got to wait to find out what my results are. If anyone is doing theirs soon then the hardest bit I found was when you see a picture for a second then have to say what you saw in the picture, I don't know how you could practise that. The MMI was pretty tough too, I tried to talk a lot about procedures we have if the RAF and how we follow them because they are the safest way of doing a job but I'm not sure if it came across like that, I stayed calm though and tried to give the same answer every time.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I got my results back today and I have failed. I passed everything apart from 1 question in the MMI which was "how do you prevent yourself from losing concentration when carrying out a remedial task?". I'm not really sure what the correct answer would have been for that. Any thoughts?

 

[rhysa85]

Well I think the test went okay. Some parts I am confident I did very well but others I am not as confident. Just got to wait to find out what my results are. If anyone is doing theirs soon then the hardest bit I found was when you see a picture for a second then have to say what you saw in the picture, I don't know how you could practise that. The MMI was pretty tough too, I tried to talk a lot about procedures we have if the RAF and how we follow them because they are the safest way of doing a job but I'm not sure if it came across like that, I stayed calm though and tried to give the same answer every time.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I got my results back today and I have failed. I passed everything apart from 1 question in the MMI which was "how do you prevent yourself from losing concentration when carrying out a remedial task?". I'm not really sure what the correct answer would have been for that. Any thoughts?

I feel for you there mate. I'm a techie myself and I had my MMI in March, I don't recall being asked that although I did get asked a lot! I hope you manage to dust yourself off and smash it on your second attempt.

Best of luck