Been in over 2 years and no trade specific training
Attendance at RAF bases to attend training Mon - Fri makes this prohibitive for many reservists with jobs when you take into account the course dates and travel time. Courses I have been on could have been shortened considerably as there is always a lot of down time during the course. In addition, large elements could be delivered remotely / online. Unfortunately my experience of the online courses on the new DII learning environment has not been positive as the platform is old fashioned and materials poor.
In the Logistics world, we’ve still got a long way to go to make our training courses ‘Reservist- friendly’. This is particularly true for Phase 3.
The lack of role-specific training which I have received in my five years as a reservist is completely unacceptable. Excuses such as lack of numbers to run weapon training weekend packages or further training preparation are also unacceptable.
Training in my trade (Movers) is not valid externally. The regulars have NVQs and apprenticeships heaped upon them - we don’t - even though we are required to reach exactly the same standards. Other squadrons gain certification that is valid externally.
Being employed by the NHS, I know how my civilian medical role works, however not having deployed, I don’t know how my role would translate in the military. My squadron are very good with green training; however more military orientated medical training would be very welcome.
Training is generally based through the week, which means more time away from work. As a result I don’t attend as many training courses as I want to.
FT courses and courses for example Small Arms Instructor courses have been cancelled year after year to an embarrassing extent. This has stagnated promotions and trade training which has taken its toll on retention and sent a negative message re the value of the RAF Regiment Reserves.
It’s great that regular courses are open to us but, where courses consist of more than 15 days continuous training (e.g. JOTC), attempts should be made to offer a PTVR-friendly alternative (consisting of weekends and a 15-day camp). Other courses are split in such a way that they cannot be used for bounty-qualifying ACT (e.g. the DIAM consists of 3 days, a weekend off, then another 3 days but bounty rules only allow for one period of less than 5 days).
Training is generally high quality. Working as a civilian what is unacceptable is turning up for a course and finding it has been cancelled/you have been bumped off it. This happens all too often and having booked holiday off work is not appropriate.
14
www.raf-ff.org.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44