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Job Role
Apprentice Communications Information Systems
Job Role

Apprentice Communications Information Systems

Using highly sophisticated equipment, it’ll be your job to guarantee the safe communication of operationally-vital information.

TechnologyCommunicationsCiviliansApprenticeships
  • GCSEs
  • Royal Fleet Auxiliary
  • Engineering
  • Rating level

At a glance

As an Apprentice Communications Information Systems Specialist, you’ll play a big part in Our Replenishment at Sea operations. That means ensuring transmission of vital messages to Royal Navy ships, so we can deliver the equipment and supplies they need, anywhere in the world.

Leave

7 days of paid leave for every month served on board ship

Free

Food and accommodation when you’re on deployment

Pay

£16,500+ Starting Salary During Training

Pension

Membership of a Civil Service Pension Scheme

Learn

Study a variety of subjects to prepare you for work at sea in CIS

Travel

Potential to travel around the world
Communications Information Systems Apprentice
My role is massively varied job with loads of different digital communications to deliver. Along with the nature of the traveling, it means the job changes every day.

Paul

Apprentice Communications Information Systems

Role details

What you’ll do

As an Apprentice Communications Information Systems, it’s your job to guarantee the transmission and receipt of messages that are pivotal to our Replenishment at Sea operations. It’s a civilian role, but one that contributes to protecting our nation’s interests. From the moment you join you’ll gain hands-on experience with some of our most sophisticated equipment, learning how to use everything from message handling systems to satellite links, and embarking on a truly exhilarating career.

Your role

  • Take your place within a professional ship’s company, working alongside senior officers from all branches to transmit and receive crucial information. You might be requesting essential supplies one day, and giving Royal Navy ships your estimated time of arrival the next
  • Use complex equipment to help the ship perform its essential role. That means working with everything from high-speed data, to the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS)
  • Outside of the Ops Room, you’ll have crucial duties to perform as part of the ship’s company, including firefighting, first aid, and being a member of the damage control team

Pay & benefits

  • £16,500+ Starting Salary During Training 
  • Earned Voyage Leave (EVL) of 7 days for every month spent on board ship
  • Membership of a Civil Service Pension Scheme 
  • World-class training
  • Potential to travel the world

Skills for life

  • An in-depth knowledge of state-of-the-art communications systems
  • Reliability and accuracy when transmitting vital messages

 

Eligibility

  • Aged at least 17 years 6 months to apply, and 18 years to commence employment. There is no upper age limit
  • Entry requirements GCSE Maths and English Language at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent)
  • Must be British, Irish or Commonwealth citizens. However, a number of career paths have nationality restrictions. Dual Nationality will be considered providing the first nationality is British. Note: Residency restrictions may apply
  • Need to have confidence with jumping into water and the ability to wade whilst wearing a life jacket

Skills & interests

  • A passion for the latest technology
  • Great at working as part of a team
  • First-class communication
  • A sense of adventure

Joining process

From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.

Step 1

Apply

Fill out an online application form

Apply
Step 2

Eligibility

We will request copies of certification to ascertain your suitability for the role
Step 3

Defence Aptitude Assessment

You will be asked to attend an Armed Forces Careers Office close to your home where you will conduct the DAA.
Practise the DAA
Step 4

Sift

Your application will go forward for sift by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) who will check that you have the knowledge and potential to succeed in your chosen role
Step 5

Training

If successful, you will be offered a place at HMS Raleigh where you will begin your initial training, then onto HMS Collingwood
Step 6

Interview

If you are successful at interview, you will be offered a contract
Prepare for interview

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