Summary
A unique opportunity to complete an apprenticeship as a RAF Air Operations Control Officer, with an Ofsted outstanding training provider. You'll be working with some of the most advanced technology and aircraft in the world and play a key part in the UKs defence. With over 35 places available across the year, Apply today!
Wage
£33,100 a year
Pay after 3 years service and promotion to the rank of Flt Lt - £50,500
Training course
Air traffic controller (level 5)
Hours
Days and shifts to be confirmed on assignment to your first station after training.
48 hours a week
Start date
Saturday 2 August 2025
Duration
3 years
Positions available
35
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
The specialisation of Air Operations Control Officer is part of the Air & Space Ops Profession within the RAF, which also includes Air Operations Systems Officer, Air Traffic & Weapons Controller, Air and Space Operations Specialists, Air Cartographers and Firefighters.
The Air Operations (Control) is a diverse, exciting and complex employment area which directs and supports operations both in the UK and around the world. The three key employment areas are Terminal Air Traffic Control (providing an ATC service at an airfield), Area Control (working alongside civilian air traffic controllers at the UK’s Air Traffic Control Centre at Swanwick) and finally as a Weapons Controller (direct fast jet aircraft to intercept potentially hostile aircraft that threaten the integrity of UK Airspace).
As a member of the Royal Air Force, you could find yourself operating from a field, a bunker, a building, a tent, from the back of a plane or even an aircraft carrier. Regardless, you will be part of a varied and stimulating organisation which offers an excellent career and worldwide employment opportunities that is at the heart of the RAF’s flying output.
There are three key employment areas you could find yourself working in:
- Terminal Air Traffic Control providing Air Traffic Control services to aircraft operating at or near RAF stations around the world.
- Weapons Control where you’ll direct and control fast jet aircraft to intercept potentially hostile aircraft that threaten UK Airspace or in complex air-to-air exercises.
- Area Control working alongside civilian air traffic controllers at the UK’s Air Traffic Control Centre at Swanwick where you will control military aircraft across the country by radar.
You will be able to set preferences for the location and type of employment you would like to undertake and there is also the opportunity to undertake roles outside of your specialisation.
Within your first few years, you will get the opportunity to deploy overseas in support of the RAF’s mission.
Where you’ll work
RAF Cosford
Albrighton
Wolverhampton
WV7 3EX
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
ROYAL AIR FORCE
Your training course
Air traffic controller (level 5)
Equal to higher national diploma (HND)
Course contents
* Safety: Comply with Health & Safety obligations as an employee and as an air traffic controller
* Safety: Escalate safety concerns through the appropriate channels
* Security: Manage aviation security in own area of operations following organisational procedures to report and react to any breach
* Planning: Manage planning, problem solving and decision making using knowledge, experience and evolving information. Manage the use and update of situational data displays
* Planning: Maintain spatial awareness within the designated area of control
* Compliance & Legislation: Manage compliance with legislation, aviation procedures and regulations within own area of responsibility
* Communication: Manage communication with users, staff and external agencies, selecting appropriate methods and language
* Communication: Use correct terminology, context and tools and maintain a safe and effective operation
* Communication: direct the movement of aircraft
* Communication: pass effective and pertinent information to aircraft
* Communication: maintain radio and radar contact with aircraft
* Teamworking & Resource Management: Safely takeover and handover control of the operational position at the start and end of an allocated period of air traffic control
* Teamworking & Resource Management: Assess and respond effectively to light levels of traffic volume and complexity
* Teamworking & Resource Management: Effectively manage difficult and challenging situations and people
* Teamworking & Resource Management: Effectively manage working relationships and interactions between differing types of controllers situated at the same and differing sites (domestic and international)
* Teamworking & Resource Management: Cooperate effectively with other parties to achieve appropriate environmental protections
* Air Traffic Operations: Effectively Manage Air Traffic using understanding of appropriate theory, experience and current operating directives
* Service Level Agreements: Manage team and facilities to deliver results according to agreed levels of performance
* Personal Effectiveness: Undertake responsibilities and accountabilities
* Personal Effectiveness: Maintain resilience, effectiveness and operational safety when a plan is not followed
* Personal Effectiveness: Acknowledge and react positively to any errors identified
* Personal Effectiveness: Recognise and respond appropriately to fatigue. Take responsibility for personal medical fitness to not endanger airspace users when personal effectiveness may be reduced
* O1: Demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding through a variety of assessments and examinations
* O1: Demonstrate practical capability as an Area/ Terminal air traffic controller to the defined assessment standard and level
* O2: Demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding through a variety of assessments and examinations
* O2: Demonstrate practical capability as an Approach controller to the defined assessment standard and level
* O3: Demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding through a variety of assessments and examinations
* O3: Demonstrate practical capability as an Approach Procedural controller to the defined assessment standard and level
* O4: Demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding through a variety of assessments and examinations
* O4: Demonstrate practical capability as an Aerodrome controller to the defined assessment standard and level
* O5: Demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding through a variety of assessments and examinations
* O5: Demonstrate practical capability as a Military Weapons Controller to the defined assessment standard and level
* O6: Demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding through a variety of assessments and examinations
* O6: Demonstrate practical capability as a Military Area Radar Controller to the defined assessment standard and leve
* O7: Demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding through a variety of assessments and examinations
* O7: Demonstrate practical capability as a Military Terminal Radar Controller to the defined assessment standard and level
* O8: Demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding through a variety of assessments and examinations
* O8: Demonstrate practical capability as a Military Terminal Aerodrome Controller to the defined assessment standard and level
Your training plan
Level 5 Air Traffic Controller
You will complete a challenging course designed to develop your strength, fitness, leadership and academic skills through a number of indoor and outdoor exercises across the UK.
Module 1 – Military Skills where you will learn the basics of being part of the RAF
Module 2 – Development 1: Know yourself to lead others
Module 3 – Development 2: Line management & command
Module 4 – Consolidation (Summative assessment & graduation)
Specialist training is delivered at the Defence College of Air and Space Operations at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire and subsequently for Weapons Controllers at RAF Boulmer in Northumberland.
This training starts with a Foundation Module and is completed alongside Air Operations (Systems) Officers, Air Ops (Control) Officers and Air Traffic & Weapons Controllers. Following successful completion, you will be assigned to a specialist module in one of the core specialisations: Terminal (Airfield) ATC or Weapons Control. Prospective Weapons Controllers will carry out the last part of their training at RAF Boulmer in Northumberland.
You could return at a later date to complete a short conversion course to allow you to undertake roles in the other core areas including Area Radar control.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
* any (grade C/4 or above)
* any (grade C/4 or above)
* any (grade C/4 or above)
* English Language (grade C/4 or above)
* Mathematics (grade C/4 or above)
A Level or equivalent in:
* any (grade C or above)
* any (grade C or above)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* IT skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Problem solving skills
* Number skills
* Analytical skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Initiative
* Patience
* Physical fitness
Other requirements
The role is varied and, after training, you could be stationed across the UK and beyond.