Initial Career Training and Apprenticeships Instructor (ZigZag)

JPAN: 2184632 / 2184642
Grade: Leading Hand
Location: Gosport, Hampshire
Contract: Full time (40 hrs per week), 36-month contract. No Mobility commitment
Security clearance: SC & Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Closing date: 02/03/26 23:55

All offers of employment are subject to UK security clearance. To gain this clearance applicants normally need at least five years’ UK residency.

Overview

The ZigZag Career Pathway is an innovative Defence initiative that offers novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces. It’s a pilot programme that opens the door for people from a range of backgrounds to apply their professional skills in meaningful Defence roles.

This opportunity is open to civilians, veterans and reservists. Whether you’ve never served before or are looking to return, the ZigZag Career Pathway offers you the chance to work in fixed term military roles that are matched to your qualifications and experience.

ZigZag roles may be offered with a range of mobility commitments. Successful candidates will be supported with tailored onboarding, the right level of training, and a structured and supported induction into the Armed Forces environment.

Within Defence, the Royal Navy’s Air Engineer Technicians play a mission-critical role at the heart of a close-knit team, using cutting-edge skills to keep Royal Navy aircraft safe, reliable, and ready for operations. You can find more information about aviation in the Royal Navy here.

The role

The ICTA Instructor is one of a team of instructors at 764 Squadron (part of the Royal Naval Air Engineering and Survival Equipment School, RNAESS) delivering Air Engineer Technician (AET) and Accelerated Apprentice (AA) Technical Training in a simulated squadron environment in accordance with current instructional specifications. Instructors also maintain Naval Engineering Standards and Ethos providing professional expertise in assessing the suitability of candidates undertaking Phase 2A training.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver practical and oral instruction and examinations for AET/AA Qualifying Courses.
• Ensure trainee welfare, including duties, living conditions, and overall well-being; elevate issues to the Divisional Officer (DO) as required.
• Manage Health and Safety awareness for students, including briefings and monitoring in classroom and training environments.
• Assist DOs with training reports and student records; recommend corrective actions for underperformance and report notable achievements.
• Act as Module Responsible Instructor as directed, maintaining up-to-date module content, training aids, assessments, and media.
• Invigilate and mark examinations as directed by the Senior Instructor or Exam Chief Petty Officer.

About You

• Strong instructional and communication skills for delivering technical training.
• Leadership and mentoring ability to support trainee development and welfare.
• Excellent teamwork and collaboration.
• Attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high safety standards.
• Adaptability and problem-solving skills in dynamic training scenarios.
• Technical expertise in air engineering systems and maintenance practices.
• Previous instructional or teaching experience (desirable).
• Defence Trainer Course competence (desirable).

Successful candidates will need to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Training

• Royal Navy Initial Militarisation Course
• Defence Trainer Course 8-12hrs online learning and 10-days residential (Defence Academy, Shrivenham) followed by lesson observations at RNAESS.
• HMS SULTAN/RNAESS/764 Squadron Induction programmes.
• Defence mandatory / Naval Core Training.

Salary & benefits

• Salary: OR4 Supp 3 £33,699 – £36,775 per year.
• Pension: automatic enrolment in the non-contributory Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 (optout available).
• Leave: 30 days’ annual leave plus eight UK bank holidays.
• Other benefits: childcare benefits, enhanced parental leave packages, and flexible service arrangements.

Application process

• Application: submit a CV via the SERVE portal. Eligibility checks are completed, and applications are sifted for suitability.
• Interview: shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview covering technical skills, qualifications and suitability for military service (command, leadership and management experience).
• Offer: successful candidates receive terms and conditions, and a job offer letter.

Don’t meet all the requirements? Get in touch anyway – we are keen to hear from talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. For questions or more information, contact: People-Tx-ZigZagCareers@mod.gov.uk .