Not only will you gain a professional qualification that’s recognised in the civilian world, you’ll also have a guaranteed job in your chosen role once you’ve completed it.
You’ll receive the very best training and, whilst being paid to learn, you’ll get the chance to travel the world, play sport and perform an important role in the RAF as well as being able to access dedicated on-base medical and dental care.
We currently have 23 roles to choose from that come with RAF apprenticeships. They are available in a broad and diverse range of professions including aviation operations, engineering, hospitality & catering and IT.
These range from a level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs), a level 3 (equivalent to 2 ‘A’ levels) all the way through to a level 7, which is equivalent to a Masters degree.
To gain an apprenticeship in the RAF you still need to meet all of the entry requirements for whichever role it is for and get through all stages of the application process.
You will gain the apprenticeship as part of your phase two training, in total the process of gaining your apprenticeship can last 1 year to 3 years of training.
When The Sunday Times ranked the Royal Air Force third in The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in June 2026, it described us as one of the country's most significant apprenticeship employers with 97 per cent of new entrants undertaking one of our 20-plus programmes.
It told its readers about our 3,800 apprentices last year, working in areas such as Air Operations, Intelligence, the RAF Police, Medical support and Engineering, with Engineering accounting for nearly 60 per cent of all new apprentices. The Sunday Times also described how more than 1,400 RAF personnel completed their programmes in 2025. The Sunday Times article was published on Sunday 14 June, 2026.
"I began my apprenticeship with the RAF and completed a Level 3 NVQ in Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical Component Overhaul). It was an advanced level apprenticeship in engineering. My experience as an apprentice was great. I got to complete it in the transmission bay of the Puma Depth Support Hub at RAF Benson. This meant I was able to work with advanced pieces of equipment, down to an in-depth level that few aircraft engineers get to see.
Early on in my career I was named as the RAF’s Apprentice of the Year while working as an Aircraft Technician. Later I achieved a bronze medal at the national final held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham and spent two years training hard to become one of the best aircraft engineers in the UK. My hard work paid off when I was selected as the sole competitor to represent the UK in my trade at the WorldSkills competition.
In Sao Paulo there were 60 countries competing in 50 different skills. In the aircraft engineering competition there were 15 countries competing. The competition involved 7 different tasks, each one testing all of the skills used by an aircraft engineer. This ranged from daily inspections on the servicing of an aircraft – to engine borescoping, which is checking the engine hot end using an optical device consisting of a rigid or flexible tube with an eyepiece.
I couldn’t have achieved what I have in the past year without the RAF. Getting to Brazil meant that I was able to compete in my trade at the highest level possible, while also raising the profile of what I do and demonstrating what my apprenticeship has taught me."
There are plenty of Apprenticeships to choose from in the RAF. The right one for you will depend on your passion and skills. Discover some of our featured roles below.
You can apply through our website as you would for any role. You’ll then be invited to undergo aptitude tests, medical, fitness tests and an interview before being selected to join the RAF and begin your training. Your apprenticeship goes to form part of your secondary (role) training.
You must reach the age requirements for each apprenticeship, most of which are between 16-47 but please check individual roles. You must also meet all of the eligibility criteria listed on each role page (Nationality, Residency and other requirements) these can be different for specific roles, so check carefully. You also need to pass all relevant entry fitness tests. Please see your individual role for more information.
You need to meet the entry requirements for whichever role your chosen apprenticeship requires. These are listed on each role. If you do not hold these qualifications there may still be opportunities for you if you show the appropriate potential in the selection tests.
From day one, you will earn £25,200 per year as an apprentice in the RAF.
Yes, We're also audited by Ofsted and all RAF delivered apprenticeships are rated outstanding.
The training is predominantly practical and you receive a civilian recognised qualification for your training.
