Use your welding training to the full
“I was involved in the design and construction of parts for the new M3 Amphibious Rig in Germany.”
The Royal Engineers create everything from bridges to bases. As a Fabricator/Welder, you’ll get the training to build these structures, using hand and power tools including oxyacetylene torches. You learn to work with metal – how to forge it, cut it and weld pieces together. Once you’re trained, you’ll be able to build steel frame buildings, fix glass-reinforced plastics and steel, and help with demolition projects. It’s work that could take you all over the world. Plus, you’ll get to make amazing friends, try sports and activities and build a career. An exciting future starts here.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Specialise in metalwork
- Learn fabrication and welding
- Take part in demolition using oxyacetylene torches
- Repair and make good in glass reinforced plastics and steel.
- Construct steel frame buildings
TRAINING FOR THE ROLE
Step 1
You'll start with your initial military training which will teach you how to be a soldier - this will cover everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle. If you join as a Junior Soldier (under 17 years 5 months), you’ll do a 23-week basic military training course at Harrogate. If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years 1 month), you’ll do the regular 14-week adult basic training.
Step 2
Then it’s off to the Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment near Camberley for nine weeks. Here, you learn military engineering skills such as knots and lashings, demolition, mine warfare and bridge building. Finally, you go the Royal School of Military Engineering in Chatham for 32 weeks. Here, you learn how to use hand and power tools, and how to forge, weld and cut metal.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Age: 16 years 6 months - 35 years 6 months
QUALIFICATIONS: GCSE Grade A–D/9-3 in at least English Language, Maths and Science
FITNESS: Lift 35kg, Carry 120m, 1.5 mile run in 13 min 15 sec (14 min 30 sec for junior entry)
QUALIFICATIONS YOU COULD GET AFTER TRAINING
- Level 2 Apprenticeship (NVQ Technical Certificate and Functional Skills) in Fabrication and Welding (City & Guilds)
- Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering - Manual Welding (City and Guilds)
RANK PROGRESSION
Learn about rank progression here.
PAY & BENEFITS
Earn £15,230 during training. When your Initial training is finished, and you join your unit as a Sapper, your pay will rise to £18,859.
FROM THE FIELD
“During the first week at my new unit I was involved in the design and construction of parts for the new M3 Amphibious Rig in Germany. This involved many of the skills that my Fab/Welder Class 2 course had taught me weeks before, allowing me to produce work that was ready for front line use. I have also been used for construction demolition tasks, again using the skills I gained.”
HOW TO APPLY?
Once your online application has been approved, you'll meet with a local recruiter. This is your chance to tell us about the role that you're interested in. When you go to the Assessment Centre,you'll take tests - the results will show whether you'd be suitable for this role, or should consider a different role.