Apprentice chef

[Trenny]

Hi, was wondering if I could get some advice on joining as an apprentice chef? I've been thinking about this for a few years now. My only concern is my age, I am currently 42 and was wondering if my age may go against me for an apprenticeship with the RFA in this role? Is this role in demand?

Thanks for any advice

 

[soleil]

I wouldn't have thought that your age would go against you at 42, Trenny, but hopefully there will be a fuller answer from someone currently serving in the RFA later on.

RFA Jobs | Chef Apprentice | Royal Fleet Auxiliary Logistics

It’s not just our engines that need fuel, our people do too. As a Chef Apprentice, you’re the person who provides it, with three square meals every day. You’ll learn all about high-pressure, high-volume cooking, as well as gaining skills in fine...

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

 

[CM264]

42 isn't too late to join as an apprentice and yes there is always demand for cooks, many apprentices have come in later in life. The biggest hurdle I found was the drop in salary for over a year during apprentice pay. but it is worth it to get the decent pay rise and a career at sea.

 

[Trenny]

Hi thanks for the response. Like you say it's worth it after the apprenticeship.

 

[chef ramsay]

Hi, I'm slightly older than you and have applied for the RFA Apprentice Chef Role. I have passed the psychometric test and waiting for the subject matter expert sift/interview. Although I was apprehensive of the drop in money during training/apprenticeship, it does go back up and in the long run it looks appealing to me all things considered. Whilst I am still apprehensive of life at sea for extended periods as I have no experience of this, and the practicalities, I think the same can be said for any now career path. Being single/no kids means I don't have worry about that side things where others might. I would say go for it, but my circumstances are probably different from yours so only you can ultimately make the right decision for you. Also, when I spoke to the recruiting people where it says that a role is "not guaranteed" after successful completion of training, they did say they wouldn't be recruiting and training people if they didn't need them, so be mindful that clause is in there. Hope this helps.

 

[RFA at HMS Raleigh]

I get App Chefs starting once through the process, the first part of trainig is at HMS RAleigh with us. Ages range from 16 to 60, so there is no such thing as the 'usual' age bracket and each person brings different life experiences which make the courses very varied and diverse.

As there is no retirement age you can potentially work to 70+ so a career of 30 + years if you wanted to and were fit and healthy.

We need chefs and are still recruiting and training Apprenitces, so if you would liek to be a chef then go for it.

The salary once you qualify after 1 1/2 - 2 years is very attractive, then combined with 4 months on 3 months off once qualified is good too. Obviously the training salary is less, approx £15,500, but in trainng (6 months) and on ship (4 months in 1st year) you don't pay for accommodation or food for, so out of the first 12 months you won't pay to live, 10 - 11 months so cheap living (obviously if have a family and mortgage that cost will be there).

 

[Rozz]

Hi, was wondering if I could get some advice on joining as an apprentice chef? I've been thinking about this for a few years now. My only concern is my age, I am currently 42 and was wondering if my age may go against me for an apprenticeship with the RFA in this role? Is this role in demand?

Thanks for any advice

I’ll be 37 in September and am a few weeks away from finishing my training at worthy down.

 

[7976887]

Hi guys I'm 16 years old and I wanted to know if my chances of getting in as a chef apprentice are better than someone who is older than me?
Thanks guys.

 

[7976887]

Also can you please let me know how long it will take for them to contact me?I applied on 21 July and just really stressed

 

[chef ramsay]

First, your age will have no bearing on your chances of getting into the RFA. It's all about your research, desire, commitment etc and how you show this via your application.

Second, it's the middle of RFA interview season and them letting candidates know what the outcome is. If at 16 your feeling stressed by not knowing whats going on, maybe you should leave it and re-apply when you are slightly older. It's not even been two weeks since you applied. Some organisations don't even contact you if you're unsuccessful when you apply for a job with the,

 

[Random]

Also can you please let me know how long it will take for them to contact me?I applied on 21 July and just really stressed

Take a deep brief, relax, before all this covid fun joining the RFA could take quite some time. I am fairly certain it has not sped up due to it either.

Honestly there is a reasonable chance you could be almost 18 by the time the process is finished. So whilst doing the paperwork shuffle and awaiting responses try and work out what you are happy doing in the short term and don't stress it, It's not personal, it's just the RFA doesn't recruit many people per year and so the team that does the processing is quite small.

 

[7976887]

Oh OK, I know that this is what I want, I am just nervous because it would be my first job if I got in and everything but anyways thanks guys.

 

[7976887]

Also I was asking when the would contact me as I'm really eager to get in as fast as possible.

I just thought that the rfa process would be quicker than the navy's as the rfa doesn't have additional fitness tests and stuff but guess not.

 

[soleil]

I just thought that the rfa process would be quicker than the navy's as the rfa doesn't have additional fitness tests and stuff but guess not.

I think that it might be helpful for you to speak to one of the RN Careers Advisors in your nearest Armed Forces Careers Office about this.

Where is your nearest large town/city?

 

[BreathingOutOnTheWayUp]

@7976887 - As others have said, settle yourself down for a lengthy recruiting process.

Whilst you have a lot of time on your hands (and you'll probably find some use for even a min wage income?) is there anything to prevent you from chasing up every job opportunity within the catering/hospitality sector?

Consider - potwash at an upmarket hotel, waiting at a busy greasy spoon, MacD/KFC/BK etc. Those all provide opportunities for at least a taste of what a career in cookery entails. Besides providing you with a few readies and answers to these inevitable RFA Interview questions:

"What have you been doing since you left school? & Have you any experience relevant to the role of an RFA chef?"

PS To put your 11 days waiting in perspective - A relative has no firm news (Last Quoted "It might be 'early 2021) so it looks like they will have clocked up between 18/24 months between first registration for an RFA Application (in another role) and their eventual Entry Date.

 

[Rozz]

Hi guys I'm 16 years old and I wanted to know if my chances of getting in as a chef apprentice are better than someone who is older than me?
Thanks guys.

There were two 16 year old boys in my class of 8 (each turned 17 during the course) so your age is not an issue. Good luck

 

[7976887]

My nearest large town is Leeds, I live in Bradford

 

[7976887]

@7976887 - As others have said, settle yourself down for a lengthy recruiting process.

Whilst you have a lot of time on your hands (and you'll probably find some use for even a min wage income?) is there anything to prevent you from chasing up every job opportunity within the catering/hospitality sector?

Consider - potwash at an upmarket hotel, waiting at a busy greasy spoon, MacD/KFC/BK etc. Those all provide opportunities for at least a taste of what a career in cookery entails. Besides providing you with a few readies and answers to these inevitable RFA Interview questions:

"What have you been doing since you left school? & Have you any experience relevant to the role of an RFA chef?"

PS To put your 11 days waiting in perspective - A relative has no firm news (Last Quoted "It might be 'early 2021) so it looks like they will have clocked up between 18/24 months between first registration for an RFA Application (in another role) and their eventual Entry Date.

As you said about looking for a job I am looking for a job at a nearby takeaway, that will be all the experience I have other than cooking at home.
And Ive made my peace with the waiting times for joining so thanks for your help guys.

 

[soleil]

My nearest large town is Leeds, I live in Bradford

These are the details for Leeds; I would give them a call tomorrow.

There was a time not that long ago when the waiting time to join the Royal Navy as a Chef was relatively short.

Talk to one of the RN Careers Advisors at Leeds about what would be the best option for you. It might be that joining the Royal Navy rather than the RFA as a Chef might be the better choice for you at this point.

See what the CAs have to say about this.



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