As long-time supporters of our brave military service men and women, who have employed and championed the skills and dedication of ex-forces personnel for many years, Carbon60 - Forces Covenant civilian employment support providers and one of the UK’s Top 25 Veteran Employers – are proud to get behind a number of projects and initiatives designed to help Service leavers and Veterans gain employment and transition back into civilian life.

Our latest partnership, with STS Aviation, is another exciting chance to provide such opportunities. Utilising our recruitment expertise, and experience in supporting military leavers, we’re helping STS find and hire talent ex-military personnel for their Forces to Civilian Transition Programme 2024 – providing experience, training and potential careers in the engineering and aviation and, most importantly, the security and support employment provides.

Who is STS Aviation?

STS Aviation Services operates three state-of-the-art aircraft hangars, two interior modification facilities, and over 40 line maintenance stations worldwide. Their facilities and expert personnel drive a commitment to providing comprehensive aircraft maintenance, engineering, and modification solutions to the global aviation industry.

What is STS Aviation’s Forces to Civilian Transition Programme 2024?

STS’ new programme has been designed with providing ex-forces personnel a secure, supported route back into employment and civilian life. Additionally, it provides STS an opportunity to expand, improve and futureproof their workforce, by taking advantage of the existing engineering expertise and experience that military leavers and veterans will have gained during their time in service.

So, with the help of Carbon60, STS are looking for individuals with mechanical or avionics experience to join this exciting programme in a variety of mechanical and avionics roles. For the many spaces available, STS are searching for some people currently without a UK CAA B1 Mechanical Licence or B2 Avionics Licence, who will join at step one of the programme and be trained to by Carbon60 ahead of deployment at STS; and some who already have a UK CAA B1 or B2 Licence who will join STS directly as part of their existing workforce.

Candidates don’t have to be in the Armed Forces currently, but must have served previously if not, and can even apply if they have already gained post-military employment elsewhere.

The programme celebrates the skill, passion and dedication of the brave men and women who’ve served in our forces and rewards them with an opportunity to learn, gain even more experience and build a career at one of the leading engineering companies in aviation.

What Training and Qualifications are available?

For those currently without a UK CAA B1 or B2 Licence, Carbon60 will provide all the training required to complete the CAA Part-66 Category B licence modules whilst candidates perform OJT in a live hanger environment. This will include a 22-week classroom-based course for obtaining the B licence, followed by a type rating course on a wide body aircraft. 

Additionally, as part of the programme, a tailored ILM-accredited leadership program is provided at a foundation degree level – designed to build on the leadership prowess already gained during military service and shape it for a seamless transition into potential leadership positions in a civilian environment-based role.

Where is the programme based and when does it start?

With an existing, well-established foothold in the aviation industry, across the UK and around the world, STS benefit from access to, and the ability to utilise, world-class facilities.

For this programme, training will be held in Manchester initially, with OJT opportunities being offered in Manchester or Birmingham.

Carbon60 are recruiting now for individuals to join the programme with STS in the 2nd half of 2024, however there is a chance to join the second course – starting in the 1st half of 2025 – if preferred.

What’s more, shift patterns in each location are diverse to suit your lifestyle and promote work-life harmony.

What about salary, work patterns and progression?

The programme has been created to provide opportunities aplenty. But there are rewards aplenty too.

So, during the training phase, a competitive starting salary of £26,000 is provided. This increases to £42,740 during the OJT phase; before finally being raised to £64,785 as a reward for completing the training provided and gaining the licences available.

What’s more, the shift patterns have been created with adaptability and flexibility in mind, to ensure a better work-life balance and allow everyone within the programme to perform and excel.