Apprentice Liaison SNCO CON 9

A vacancy has arisen for a Sergeant, any profession to serve as Apprentice Liaison SNCO CON 9 at RAF Coningsby on Full Time Reserve Service (Home Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 04 January 2027.

The RAF has approximately 2000 Aeronautical Engineering Apprentices at any one time and this number is due to increase over the next 5 years (WF Balance 2030). To better support apprentices and their Line Managers, RAF Apprenticeships will establish Apprentice Liaison posts on front-line units. These posts will provide a critical interface between Sqn Line Managers, Apprentices and Military Apprenticeship Co-ordinators with the aim of improving the apprenticeship experience and encouraging successful and timely apprenticeship completion.

Positions will require daily attendance in person and remote working opportunities will be limited.

This is an exciting opportunity to directly support and develop our most junior Aviators during their first assignment.

The principal duties are listed below:
a.    POC for squadron personnel requiring advice and guidance on current apprenticeships policy for apprentices employed in their AoR.
b.    Briefing the apprentice on the apprenticeship process, timescales, and managing expectations. Advising them on all aspects of the apprenticeship, and the wider RAF / Whole Force topics, signposting as required.
c.    Briefing Sqn personnel on the apprenticeship, including process, timescales, and expectations, to enable effective, efficient, and timely apprenticeship completion. 
d.    Engaging with Military Apprenticeship Coordinators (MACs) to assist with scheduling, communication, and engagement of the apprentice.
e.    POC for Prevent and British values.
f.     POC for OneFile (Apprenticeship IT Management Tool).
g.    Completing the Line Manager (LM) aspects of the Learner Progress Review (LPR). Including:
(1)    Assisting the apprentice and Trade Mangers (TMs) in identifying and scheduling tasks to fulfil evidence requirements from the SMART targets set by the MAC.
(2)    Engaging with the apprentice, guiding them and checking for completion of their Off the Job Training (OJT) booklet prior to their 3 monthly LPR.
(3)    Prior to Deployment/OOA, ensure LPRs delivered by the MACs have been fully understood by the apprentice. 
h.    Consulting with the MAC and Sqn management to effectively manage Breaks in Learning (BiL).
i.     Manage any apprenticeship related disciplinary matters. 
j.    Monitor and encourage the apprentice through regular meetings or ad hoc engagement.
k.   Engage with relevant personnel including Military Independent Assessment Authority (MIAA) regarding preparation for EPA. 
l.    Ensure the apprentice reports all diversions e.g. Mod 1 Trg, etc to the MAC.
m.    Advise and guide the apprentice on the following:
(1)    JPA
(2)    O365 including TEAMs and other info systems / apps
(3)    Subject SJAR input
(4)    EPAT, career pathways and professional registration
(5)    FD/AT and sporting opportunities.
n.    Ensure suitable and sufficient CPD activities are planned, conducted, reviewed, recorded, and over signed by LM.
o.    Monitor Mandatory Training requirements for CPD and apprenticeships purposes.
p.    Signpost welfare matters to the relevant departments.

Must either have been, or currently be, a Sgt or Petty Officer (Any Profession) or a Cpl (Any Profession) eligible for promotion (RAF only) in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 2 Leaflet 560 and AP 3376 Vol 1. All Promotions will be ratified by means of a Promotion Board.

• Ph1, Ph2 training experience
• Supervisory management experience
• Coaching and mentoring experience
• Knowledge of RAF Apprenticeship programme

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 3 (for aviators)/4 (for officers) appraisal reports and other evidence as appropriate.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

WO Dave Ross David.Ross808@mod.gov.uk

Applications.  Candidate applications should as a minimum, comprise of a maximum 2-page CV, and copies of last 3/4 appraisal reports (as required). Where candidates have been out of military service and / or have additional civilian SQEP relevant for the role, they should include evidence including qualifications, references, civilian appraisals as deemed appropriate, for use by the Selection Board, and should be sent to:

22gp-apprenticeships-recruitment@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 25 September 2026.

Interviews (unless prom board required) will take place week commencing 05 October 2026 depending on requirement for promotion board.

Unless already enlisted in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be enlisted in the Royal Air Force Reserves with a liability for call-out for permanent service.

The appointment is on Full Time Reserve Service (Home Commitment) TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period of 5 years.

Confirmation of appointment will depend on successful completion of a RAF Medical Board.  Personnel who do not meet the Age/Permanent Joint Medical Employment Standard (PJMES) may apply for the appointment but will only be considered subject to an executive waiver process on a case-by-case basis. 

Candidates must be attested before their 61st birthday. However, suitably qualified personnel may be considered but a waiver must be sought from SO1 Res Spt prior to interview.

Candidates who have been out of regular or reserve service for more than 5 years may be considered for this appointment.  Prior approval must be sought from the relevant Professions Advisor to confirm current and past experience prior to being invited to interview.

Applicants of an equivalent substantive rank from sister Services may apply but will only be accepted into the Royal Air Force Reserves if an appropriate Professions advisor can be identified to sponsor the applicant: this position will not be offered on promotion to sister Services.  The relevant Profession’s advisor approval must be agreed before the interview.

Regular Service Applicants.  Personnel currently serving in the Regular Royal Air Force should be mindful of the current Early Termination Minimum Waiting Time (MWT) for their respective Rank, Profession and ensure this MWT is compatible with the post sponsor’s proposed start date, prior to applying.

Joint Medical Employment Standards. The post is non deployable, non-safety critical, does not involve operational support activity and is sedentary in nature. IBN 94/24 applies

Admin Discharge.  Ex-service candidates who have been administratively discharged through the KR1027 process will have their applications rejected as they are not eligible to join the RAF Reserves in accordance with AP 3391.

Pension Issues.  Personnel who qualify for a service pension should take financial advice from Defence Business Services (DBS) Pensions Department on the effect that undertaking reserve service has on their pension (details can be found on the JPA splash screen). Additional guidance can also be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans and MMP116 - Re-employment. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment’ on Commutation and, for those leaving on a ‘preserved’ pension, the Resettlement Grant.

Transition between TCoS.  Personnel taking this appointment from other TCoS should consider the impact on any accrued entitlements, such as leave, resettlement etc and should seek specialist guidance where required as certain entitlements are TCoS specific and may not be retained or transferred on transition between TCoS. 

Flexible Working Arrangements.  In accordance with the Flexible Working (FW) Policy, Reserve personnel can request FW arrangements with their line manager.  Any immediate FW requirements should be agreed with the line management at the interview stage.

Individual Reinforcement Training (IRT) (Module 1) and RAF Fitness Test (RAFFT).  Reserve personnel are required to maintain currency in IRT and the RAFFT iaw the relevant TCoS.  The successful applicant will be expected to undertake IRT and the RAFFT within 6 months of commencing employment (if required).

Annual Salary and Leave.  Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published for the reserve air forces.  Leave entitlement is detailed in JSP 760.

Accommodation. Personnel serving on FTRS(LC/HC)/ADC TCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB. However, due to a severe shortage, it is unlikely that accommodation will be available at your chosen location.