Aviation technicians will have more opportunity to enhance their skills and careers thanks to a partnership between the Army and the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The blue aircraft technician berets of the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers waiting to be presented to the Officers who have just completed their Engineering degrees.
Officers from the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers march out on parade ahead of their blue beret presentation after recently completing their engineering degrees at the Defence School of Electrical Mechanical Engineering, Lyneham.
Captain Steve Jones from 3 Regiment Army Air Corps REME (Left) salutes Deputy Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General David Eastman (Right) before being presented his Blue Beret after completing his engineering degree through the Defence School of Electrical Mechanical Engineering.
Apache AH 64-D being used as the backdrop ahead of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding at the Defence School of Electrical Mechanical Engineering, Lyneham.
Mr Tim Johnson Civil Aviation Authority Chief of Staff (Left) and Deputy Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General David Eastman MBE (Right) smile in front of an Apache after signing the Memorandum of Understanding at the School of Army Aeronautical Engineering, Lyneham.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the British Army and the CAA heralding new and exciting opportunities for Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) Aviation personnel to enhance their professionalism through alignment with civil industry standards.
Seen as a groundbreaking transformation for REME aviation technical training – known as Project TITUS - it combines vocational and educational qualifications gained throughout the technician’s career path. It is hoped this will enhance retention and recruitment whilst boosting morale and delivering a varied and rewarding time in service.
I am delighted that we have made this historic agreement with the UK Civil Aviation Authority. This MOU not only represents our deepening relationship with the civil sector, but it also formally recognises the professionalism and high engineering standards of our REME workforce."
Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General David Eastman MBE BEng(Hons) MSc CEng FIMechE said:
“I am delighted that we have made this historic agreement with the UK Civil Aviation Authority. This MOU not only represents our deepening relationship with the civil sector, but it also formally recognises the professionalism and high engineering standards of our REME workforce.
“Accrediting the technical training delivered here, at the School of Army Aeronautical Engineering, provides a through-career learning pathway this is underpinned by industry standards and supports the professional development of the next generation of technicians.
“Importantly the MOU also recognises the training already completed by serving Army aviation technicians and will enable them to apply to the CAA for an Aircraft Maintenance License when they choose to leave the Army.”
He added:
“This agreement reflects the Ministry of Defence’s drive to strengthen our relationship with Industry, as articulated in the recent Strategic Defence Review, and provides opportunities that have previously been out of reach.
“I am excited to see how this could support the creation of a REME Aviation Reserve and how, in the longer term, it might support a zig zag career pathway for our future generation of aviation engineers.”
The SAAE shares the same location as a host of specialist trade training facilities based in Lyneham in Wiltshire, this includes the Tri-service Defence School of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering.
The signing of this MOU represents a journey that started over 4 years ago with the aim of better accrediting our training and improving recruitment and retention across REME Aviation.
Colonel Simon Dutton, Chief Aircraft Engineer (Army) explained the significance of Project TITUS:
“The signing of this MOU represents a journey that started over 4 years ago with the aim of better accrediting our training and improving recruitment and retention across REME Aviation.
“It marks the end of the development stage and the start of implementation phase. The first of our new Initial Trade Training courses aligned to the UK CAA commenced on 19 May 25, and the development of further modules is progressing at pace to be delivered as Subsequent Trade Training further along the career pathway.
“The transformation for REME Aviation training has been groundbreaking. As we mark this memorable moment, it is important to recognise the hard work and commitment required from both REME Aviation and our partners within the Civil Aviation Authority to develop this agreement.
“REME Aviation has spearheaded this initiative on behalf of the Armed Forces, and we have already shared our work with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as they commence their own journeys to adopt UK CAA training.”
The UK CAA is the regulatory body that oversees all aspects of civil aviation in the UK from single seaters to space rockets. Its mission is to protect the public and enable aerospace. This work includes helping the aviation industry meet the highest safety standards, and ensuring consumers have choice, are protected and treated fairly when they fly. It is an arm’s length body of the Department for Transport. The CAA has a long standing and deep collaboration with the MOD on a range of aviation issues.
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. This 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.”
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