RAAF trial accelerates ground support training

A regional training trial is helping Royal Australian Air Force trainees qualify faster by combining TAFE learning with hands-on experience at RAAF base workshops.

CAPTION: Royal Australian Air Force trainees, Aircraftman Luke Stewart, Aircraftman Aaron Thomas, Aircraftwoman Leah Elton, Leading Aircraftman Isaac Lapworth, Aircraftman Connor Jennings-To and Aircraftman Natthaphong Tidtam. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Sergeant Peter Bory.

With Initial Employment Training (IET) wait times for Ground Support Equipment Fitters (GSEFITT) previously extending up to 12 months, the Royal Australian Air Force launched the Regional Trade Training (RTT) trial in January.

The initiative addresses training delays through a partnership with regional TAFEs and Defence workshops.

RAAF collaborated with the Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (ASEME) to address this backlog and the long wait times to establish the trial.

Squadron Leader Jason Sporer, from the Technical Workforce team within the Directorate of Engineering and Maintenance, explained.

“The RTT Trial will allow the Royal Australian Air Force and the ADF to evaluate the use of regional TAFEs to provide scalable training pathways,” Squadron Leader Sporer said.

“The trial will also help engage trainees with real-time work experience parallel to their trade studies, enabling remuneration and career advancement.”

The program is already benefiting participants, combining academic learning with on-the-job experience (OJE) to deliver a Certificate III and real-time exposure to operational maintenance tasks.

So far, 13 trainees have enrolled in the first RTT tranche, with 17 more expected in the second.

The trial is directly enhancing workforce readiness, reducing bottlenecks and building sustainable training pathways.

CAPTION: Aircraftman Natthaphong Tidtam and Aircraftwoman Leah Elton work at 23 Squadron’s Mechanical Equipment Operations and Maintenance Section at RAAF Base Amberley.

Aircraftwoman Leah Elton joined the program as a trainee after being impacted by IET delays and has found the experience rewarding both personally and professionally.

“If I was to be asked to take this opportunity again I would, and I’ve enjoyed every step of the way,” Aircraftwoman Elton said.

“Getting in amongst the repairs and services on a range of RAAF vehicles has been my favourite part of the posting so far and being guided by encouraging staff.”

The RTT Trial reflects the Royal Australian Air Force’s commitment to innovation in training delivery and builds on a successful Army initiative launched in 2024 to address similar training constraints.

“RTT is an excellent pathway leading forward for RAAF to increase air power capability,” Aircraftman Natthaphong Tidtam said.

This initiative is helping shape a more agile and job-ready technical workforce.

“RTT is one of the many opportunities that make Royal Australian Air Force life great,” Aircraftman Aaron Thomas said.

CAPTION: Aircraftman Luke Stewart works at 23 Squadron’s Mechanical Equipment Operations and Maintenance Section at RAAF Base Amberley.

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: I believe RAAF is deliberately dropping ‘Royal Australian’ from its name – despite Defence formally assuring us it isn’t true. Campaigning against this name-change-by-stealth, CONTACT has amended this report appropriately.  See here for the back story

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