The Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME)
Who are we and what do we do?
Formed in 1942, to do what Field Marshall Montgomery described as “keeping the punch in the Army’s fist”, REME is the Army’s professional engineering Corps.
Employing over 11,000 personnel (both Regular and Reserve) REME is responsible for the repair, maintenance, inspection and recovery of all of the Army’s technical equipment; from drones to helicopters, tanks to the latest communications, radar and optical instruments. Wherever the British Army deploys, you will find REME personnel; from the frontline to working alongside our partners in the Civil Service and defence contractors in the UK.
To achieve this, our officers and soldiers are selected and developed through a training system that runs throughout their career, constantly improving their knowledge, skills and experience (KSE). This training pipeline is the envy of many organisations as it develops behavioural KSE alongside the technical KSE.
What technical skills can we offer you?
REME officers are employed as either land systems engineers or aviation engineers. To reach this point, they have all gained a technical degree and have a route to Charted Engineer. Additionally, REME officers will have led large teams, with most having commanded an independent workshop, employing technicians and with responsibility for a plethora of technical equipment.
REME soldiers are employed in eight main trade groups (listed below); and most have a route to Incorporated Engineer:
Avionics Technicians work on helicopters, unmanned air systems, and a small number of fixed-wing aircraft, maintaining a range of systems and instruments.
Aircraft Technicians are skilled in metal and composite repair. They are responsible for the maintenance of Army helicopter gas turbine engines and airframes, including hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Electronics Technicians service and repair the Army’s electronic equipment, including optical and thermal imaging instruments, communications systems and radars.
Vehicle Mechanics maintain and repair all automotive equipment across the Army, from motorcycles to main battle tanks.
Recovery Mechanics are trained to recover equipment, conduct fleet management and lead safety inspections of cranes and winches.
Armourers repair and maintain weapons, and are skilled in turning and tool manufacture.
Metalsmith and Shipwrights are welding and fabrication experts, qualified to work with every type of metal. Shipwrights specifically maintain the Army’s ships and boats, which requires additional skills like carpentry and composite repair.
Technical Support Specialist (TSS) are responsible for stock control of technical stores. These include accounting for engineering tools and test equipment, demanding supplies and controlling calibration of precision equipment.
What does this mean for Scottish Business?
Every service person, at some point, leaves the service. Most of these soldiers go on to have a successful second career outside of the service. This provides the civilian job sector with model employees. Army personnel have the skills you would expect of a service leaver: self-discipline, integrity, courage and respect for others, and many will have led teams. The difference with a REME veteran is that they all are experienced engineers and technicians. They would have employed engineering practices in the most austere environments, where a proactive attitude and flexible mind-set are essential. Many, will also be professionally registered with a Professional Engineering Institution (PEI). Some of the key attributes of a REME veteran are:
Leadership. REME Personnel will have a track record of leading successful teams in an inclusive manner promoting values-based leadership. All would have undergone formal leadership training and have been selected for their current role in the Army based on their leadership potential. Most will hold professional accreditation for their leadership and management from institutions such as the Chartered Management Institution (CMI).
Communications. Throughout their career, their ability to communicate will have been vital. Many will be skilled at explaining deeply technical problems to a non-technical management team.
Professional Engineers. Most REME trades will achieve Engineering Technician after completion of their apprenticeship. TSS differs from the other trades as they work towards the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, rather than a PEI. This is normally achieved within the first 5-years’ of service and is accompanied with them attaining the English equivalent of an SVQ Level 3 in Engineering Maintenance. There is then an option, for some, to read for an HND in an engineering discipline. Many go on to achieve a bachelor’s degree, which opens the way for them to apply for Incorporated Engineer with a PEI.
How can you exploit this talent pool?
REME officers and soldiers have developed an excellent reputation as professional engineers and engineering leaders who can adapt to new challenges. Ex-REME personnel are widely employable. They are supported through their transition to the civilian sector by raja, which, as part of The REME Charity, specifically provides this support. raja will help you recruit these service leavers. You can advertise job vacancies to REME soldiers leaving the Army. We will help you to find the right people for your business.
For more information, contact raja via email: rajareme@gmail.com.
What others have said about us?
John Campbell, the former president of Scottish Engineering:
“Scottish Engineering is the industry association for engineering and manufacturing in Scotland and we have been supporting raja over the last 2 years by connecting our member companies and wider engineering community with the raja resource.
This has been a real win-win collaboration with a number of REME leaversfinding new career opportunities. Employers are really impressed with the skills, capabilities and ethos of REME service leavers and the unique contribution they can bring to business.
I can’t speak highly enough of raja for their excellent work in supporting leavers through their transition period and connecting them with career opportunities so effectively.”
