ELECTRICIAN (V)

The Job

As a Royal Signals Electrician you are literally the spark behind the Army’s communication systems. Royal Signals Electricians install, maintain and repair vital field-distribution power-supplies and lighting. You will also be responsible for the mechanical and electrical repair of the Army's field generator systems and will receive lots of hands-on training on how they work and what to do when they don’t. The Army needs power and light wherever it goes and it would be your job to provide it – whatever the conditions or location.

The Right Job For Me?

You do not need to be super-fit to join the Territorials but the training can sometimes be physically challenging so you need a good standard of health and stamina. As part of a larger unit, an ability to take orders is essential, but you must also be able to act on your own initiative if the situation calls for it. You will need to be resourceful, with a flair for improvisation, and have an interest in electrical and power systems. Applicants must not suffer from any form of dermatitis.

What Skills Will I Learn?

You will become skilled in the mechanical and electrical repair of various field generators, as well as the planning and installation of all power and lighting requirements within a Field Headquarters or a civilian crisis management location. Electricians are also taught to charge and maintain secondary cell batteries and install field power distribution systems.

What Training Will I Do?

Initial trainingRecruits carry out a number of training weekends with their new unit and the nearest Regional Recruiting Team. After completing this series of weekend courses, you then attend a two-week residential course at an Army Training Regiment, where you complete your initial training. The whole process takes around 12 months, and will equip you with the skills needed to fight and survive in the field, as well as boosting your fitness.Further trainingOn completion of initial training, you will go on to complete your trade training, which takes nine days at a central location.As a member of a Territorial unit that recruits on a regional basis, your minimum annual training commitment is 27 days. This is broken down into 15 days of continuous training with your unit, either on exercises or on a course, and 12 days made up of evening and weekend training and other activities. You will normally be expected to attend for training on one evening a week, and might at first have to exceed the minimum requirement so you can get your qualifications.

What Qualifications Could I Get?

You will have access to a Continuous Professional Development Plan and Personal Development Record. Together, these will help you identify and develop your skills, which may be of help to you in your civilian career and may lead to recognised civilian qualifications.

Future Prospects

You will have opportunities to deploy with Regular units and undertake sporting and adventurous training activities in various parts of the world.As well as keeping you fit and helping you make friends for life, being in the Army gives you a major advantage in the increasingly competitive job market. Employers recognise Territorial soldiers as committed individuals who work well in a team and who are always looking for challenges and opportunities to extend their skills. They will know you are flexible, self-motivated, dependable, confident and responsible. Above all, being a Territorial soldier demonstrates that you can handle pressure, and have professional expertise backed up by solid experience.