A ‘generational high’ for the ammunition technical trade workforce, is being attributed to the success of a two-year apprenticeship delivered by the Defence Academy.
The Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives level four apprenticeship offers British defence personnel world class accreditation in the field of explosives engineering.
Designed and implemented by the Academy’s Defence Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (WOME) Engineering School (DWES), the apprenticeship has seen more than 200 students enrolled on to the two-year programme during this period.
Introduced to the Army’s Ammunition Technical trade four years ago, and working closely with sector partners, the course starts with a two-month academic phase that focusses on ballistics, maths, chemistry and ammunition theory. This is followed by a four-month phase at Kineton where the apprentices study the operational context of handling, storage, transport, and disposal of explosives.
The remaining ‘on the job’ 75% of the apprenticeship has been intrinsically linked to the mandated technical development record; the gateway for technicians to achieving the engineering technician competencies recognised by the Institute of Explosive Engineers. This allows apprentices to receive a qualification, become professionally registered and competent to progress from the role as a class two technician to the class one course simultaneously, allowing for excellent career progression.
Placed at the forefront of explosives engineering training, DWES staff and students continue to ruthlessly pursue excellence in the explosives sector to deliver the best possible academic experience. As a cohort they have been recipients to numerous sector awards demonstrating the far-reaching impact the school and its students are having within defence and beyond.
DWES sits within the Defence College for Military Capability Integration (DCMCI), and ensures Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (WOME) safety at home and on operations. The aim is to educate defence personnel in the principles of WOME to allow future threats to be assessed and mitigated, providing an adaptive capability for future conflicts and operations.