'Being an electrician is a demanding job. I could be tasked to supply electric power day or night First and foremost we are soldiers...An adventurous training trip to the States was good fun...And there are practical benefits for someone like me with a small child-you always have money in your pocket and a roof over your head'

THE JOB

As a Royal Signals Electrician you are literally the power behind the Army's communications systems. You will install, maintain and repair vital AC and DC generators along with field-distribution power-supplies and lighting. You will be responsible for the mechanical repair of all held generator systems and will receive lots of hands-on training on how they work and what to do when they don't. It is your job to provide power to communications detachments in support of other Royal Signals soldiers as part of a self-sufficient team or to the Army's field headquarters. Another responsibility is for the charging, maintaining and testing of secondary cell batteries. The Army needs power and light wherever it goes and it will be your job to provide it - whatever the conditions or location.

REQUIREMENTS AND PROGRESSION

To become a Royal Signals Electrician, you'll need a minimum of one GCSE grade D or better in Mathematics. Your trade training lasts for 25 weeks. On completion of trade training you will be posted to the Field Army as a Class 3 trained soldier and after a year's experience you will become eligible for upgrading to Class 2 and a pay rise. Promotion is earned and based upon experience, ability and merit. Each upgrading and promotion is accompanied by a pay rise.

BASIC TRAINING

In line with the rest of the Army, you will receive a minimum of 14 weeks basic military training which will include drill, how to handle and fire a weapon, field craft, map reading, first aid and physical fitness training.

TRADE TRAINING

On completion of basic training you will move to 11 Signal Regiment Blandford Forum, Dorset to commence trade training at the Royal School of Signals for a 25 week course. You will be taught electrical engineering theory and hands-on training to give you the skills required to repair and maintain power distribution equipment, generator and battery systems. Your training also involves computer skills therefore you will complete elements of the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL). The final stage of training is driver training that can last from two to four weeks dependent on your ability or previous experience. You will be taught to drive a car.

CIVILIAN RECOGNITION

You can achieve your category B (car) driving licence in training and while in the Field Army you may gain your B+E (car/trailer) and C+E (LGV/trailer) licence. During Trade Training, you can complete elements of the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) Level 1, Units 1,2,3 and 7 and on completion of your trade training you may be eligible for City and Guilds 2019-01 Basic Engineering Competencies (Electrical Engineering). At a later stage, as a Class 1 tradesman, you can attain City and Guilds 2149-02 and 2149-03 in Engineering Systems Maintenance Part 1 and 2 (two certificates). You may also be eligible for City and Guilds 2377-11 in Management of Electrical Equipment Maintenance and City and Guilds 2377-12 Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment. You may also gain City and Guild 2381 Level 3 in Electrical Installation (BS 7671). (All qualifications subject to successful passes in exams and the level of practical experience required).

JOB DESCRIPTION

On the right hand side of this page you will see hyperlinks to PDF Documents. These are the Job Descriptions for the Royal Signals Electrician and the associated Territorial Army(TA) Operator Trade. An explanation of each document is as follows:

• Royal Signals Electrician - Regular Army Adult entry
• Royal Signals Electrician(ADC) - Army Development College
• Royal Signals Electrician(V) - TA Electrician deployable either UK only or worldwide dependant on unit