The official trade name for an RAF Electrician is General Technician Electrical who are specialist engineering technicians that repair and maintain a diverse range of electrical equipment the RAF uses in support of its aircraft and people across UK or deployed operating bases, or within specialist facilities - essential work that ensures that RAF aircraft can take off and undertake important missions.
You may work on a range of equipment including power generators, air conditioning units, medical and dental specialist equipment, X-ray security machines and vehicle electrical systems. You will be employed in specialist engineering workshops, where you will carry out equipment servicing, investigate faults and make repairs when you find them using technically advanced test equipment. Your expertise could also be called upon to install temporary electrical installations into mobile forward operating bases which is another vital role of the trade.
Like most people in the RAF, you could move jobs every 3 – 5 years as part of your ‘through service career management’ and have the opportunity to diversify and experience a wide range of jobs and equipment (each job is known as a ‘tour’). You will be able to set preferences for the type of tour you would like to undertake and there is also the opportunity to undertake roles outside of your trade. Within your first few years, you may get the opportunity to deploy overseas in support of the RAF’s mission.