CAA deal helps British veterans land jobs in civil aviation
The UK is aiming to provide a career pathway for military personnel by helping them transition into the civil aviation industry through a new agreement between the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) Aviation.
Under the initiative, serving and former soldiers will now be able to convert their military qualifications into industry-recognised licences.
The memorandum of understanding signed by the two organisations will see REME Aviation personnel – who are trained in aeronautical engineering during their army service – become eligible to apply for an aircraft maintenance licence through the CAA once they leave the military.
CAA recognises the capabilities of military-trained engineers
The agreement aligns REME’s technical training and educational achievements with the standards expected in civil aviation, allowing veterans to put their skills to use after their military posting ends.
The CAA said the move was about recognising the capabilities of military-trained engineers and providing a smoother route for them into civilian careers.
It will also help the civil aviation industry tackle an ongoing skills shortage.
‘Significant amount of skill crossover’
Tim Johnson, Chief of Staff at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: “We all appreciate the great skill and dedication that those who serve give to our country.
“The significant new agreement will enable those joining the Army to broaden their professional experience and move more easily between a career in the military and one in the UK’s civil aviation sector.
“This will enable both the military and civil sector to be more successful in their missions.
“There is a significant amount of crossover in the skills needed to maintain our high tech military equipment with maintaining the aircraft that fly above our heads every day.
“We welcome this further deepening of our long standing collaboration with the UK’s Ministry of Defence.”
Similar programmes exist elsewhere in the world, including in the US where the FAA participates in two initiatives that offer the opportunity to transitioning military personnel to gain work experience and training for future civil aviation jobs.
