HOW LONG WILL MY FAMILY MEMBER BE AWAY FROM HOME FOR DURING TRAINING ? Recruit training at RAF Halton lasts for 70 days and is split into six sections . To find out more about these please visit www . raf . mod . uk / rafhalton / recruits / trainingprogramme . cfm . For an Officer in the RAF , Initial Officer Training takes place at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire . This involves a challenging 24- week course designed to develop leadership and management skills .

WILL I BE ABLE TO CONTACT OR VISIT A FAMILY MEMBER DURING THEIR TIME AWAY ? Throughout training there will be the opportunity to call home during evenings . Recruits are allowed to bring a mobile phone for use in free time .

WHAT HAPPENS IF A TRAINEE FALLS ILL OR IS INJURED DURING TRAINING ? All recruits are looked after by station medical and dental teams . If too ill to train , recruits will be excused from duty until well enough to return .

ARE THERE BREAKS FOR MY FAMILY MEMBER TO RETURN HOME AT WEEKENDS OR DURING HOLIDAYS ? There may be occasions when trainees can return home during Initial Training , but this is very much dependent on the training schedule .

WHAT IS THE STANCE ON BULLYING AND HARASSMENT ? The RAF has a zero-tolerance policy on bullying and harassment both during and post training . We have dedicated Welfare and Support Personnel on all of our stations who are there to assist with any problems a trainee may have .

WILL I BE ABLE TO VISIT MY FAMILY MEMBER DURING TRAINING ? Part of recruit training at RAF Halton includes Parents ’ Day , which is part of the first day of the course . This is to give parents an insight into what the recruits will be going through over the next 70 days . Parents are given the chance to ask questions and also speak with the Squadron Commander or Deputy Commander . There is a tour of the facilities and parents can witness the formal attestation . Other guardians or partners are welcome to come along .

ONCE TRAINING IS COMPLETE WHERE DO PERSONNEL LIVE ? Post training , personnel in the RAF may be required to live on one of our many stations either in the UK or overseas . To see a list of stations visit www . raf . mod . uk / organisation / stations .

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS WILL RECRUITS GAIN AND ARE THEY RECOGNISED BY CIVILIAN EMPLOYERS ? RAF Accreditation provides opportunities to gain nationally recognised civilian qualifications through the accreditation of education , training and experience to maximise recruitment , retention , career development and resettlement benefits .

RATHER THAN START AN RAF APPRENTICESHIP , SURELY MY SON OR DAUGHTER MUST START COLLEGE OR SIXTH-FORM IN SEPTEMBER IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT POLICY ? RAF apprenticeships are on an equal par with other educational programmes . Serving in the RAF provides relevant training for young people and is a valid and valuable career route . Not all

“ THE RAF HAS BEEN AWARDED THE LEVEL OF ‘ OUTSTANDING ’ FOR ITS APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING SCHEMES – A RARITY IN BOTH THE DEFENCE AND CIVILIAN WORLDS . ”

young people will be able to join immediately after the end of the year and may be concerned about having to start a further education course in line with Government policy . Young people who have been recruited to serve in the armed forces may , on occasion , have to wait for a training place and the gap could be as much as five to six months . Where this is the case , your son or daughter should consider how they might use their time constructively , for example by improving their academic skills or seeking temporary employment .

ARE RAF APPRENTICESHIPS AS GOOD AS THOSE OF OTHER EMPLOYERS ? No , they are better ! The RAF has been awarded the level of ‘ Outstanding ’ for its apprenticeship training schemes – a rarity in both the defence and civilian worlds .

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