Training establishments exist to educate soldiers both before and during their service. Each should be examined separately as they usually cater for many different types of student.

Army Foundation College
Army Apprentices College
Army Training Regiment
Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst

Do your students want to earn some hard cash at the same time as learning a new trade? Then an Army Apprenticeship could be the route for them.

For young men and women between the ages of 16 and 17, looking for training to equip them for modern life, an Army apprenticeship is an opportunity to gain basic skills and knowledge whilst adding value to their future prospects.

School leavers can apply for an apprenticeship in a large range of trades, and will join one of the four Technical Corps of the Army. Students are paid at least £5,650 a year during training.

It offers a career based on five pillars of training:

• Military training
• Education and common core skills
• Leadership and adventurous training
• Character development
• Trade training

This combination is designed to prepare an individual for life, provide a head start in reaching Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) status and a solid foundation upon which he or she can build their career.

Training is carried out through a balanced programme of classroom work and outdoor activities, to produce physically fit, mentally sharp and highly skilled young men and women. What’s more, they will emerge with a highly marketable package of skills and qualifications which are in demand in the civilian world.

The first eight months (over four seven-week terms) compromise the Apprentice Foundation Course, which takes place at the Army Apprentices College at Arborfield, near Reading in Berkshire.

Educational content includes maths, science, engineering, material drawing, communications and IT.

The college places great emphasis on character development and personal and social education, helping individuals to reach their full potential through participation in sports and hobbies as well as leadership and general education.

The fifth pillar – trade training – takes place at one of five national training centres, depending on the chosen trade.

Each of the four corps offers a different range of trades. The Royal Engineers are the Army’s combat and civil engineers and give training in construction, metalworking, design and fitting.

The Royal Signals open the door to a highly skilled job in telecommunications systems engineering.

Apprenticeships to be found with the Royal Logistic Corps are in marine engineering, based at Chatham, and in catering.

The picture is completed by the royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (or REME), who offer training for aeronautical technicians and electronic technicians, together with the craft trades of vehicle mechanic, armourer and gunfitter.

In all cases the student should complete their apprenticeship with at least an NVQ Level 3 in their chosen specialism.

Teachers or students can talk to their local Army Careers Adviser about the first steps towards joining the Army, or students can go to their nearest Army Careers Information Office. Entry qualifications for Apprenticeships will be a minimum of Maths and English GCSE at Grade C or above, plus in some cases one or more other subjects. For students wishing to join the Army but not as apprentices, qualifications may not be necessary.

Applicants are required to take a simple on-screen computer based assessment. After a more formal interview and an initial medical, a provisional vacancy is then offered. Students are then invited to visit the Recruiting Selection Centre where their suitability for the Army and their preferred job are assessed by further tests, including physical fitness.

Finally, applicants return to the Army Careers Information Office to complete the enlistment procedures. The time taken for these steps ranges from six to ten weeks.

The programme of formal training runs over 35 hours from Monday to mid-day Saturday, and is a mix of technical and general education, military and physical training, religious education (all religious denominations are catered for) and sports. There are breaks between the terms of one to three weeks.

Apprentices live in modern accommodation with no more than eight to a room. All meals are supplied by a central kitchen.The sports facilities are excellent and include canoeing, climbing, fencing, riding, skiing, parachuting, sailing and sub-aqua as well as the usual range of sports and games.

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This site contains links to third party Websites where relevant, but the Army accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link exists and listing should not be taken as an endorsement of any kind. Last Reviewed: 11 Sep 2006