Hi there, In short no. The Army doesn't particular look for experience it rather look at whether you are qualified to be trained in that role so GCSE for soldier roles is what we are looking for. However it is always good to have these extra qualifications and experience as you can make a decision for job choices based on your prior experience.
Hope this helps.

03 June, 2024 08:07

Hi Scott,

Are you hoping to apply for a role as a plasterer? If so, then yes they do if you finished the apprenticeship and received recognised qualifications.

For context, before I joined the Army I completed an NVQ Lv 2 in Fabrication and Welding. I did not complete the final year which was a work placement which would have got me my NVQ Lv 3. When I looked at joining the Army I told my recruiter that I had the NVQ Lv 2 qualification and he informed me that I could join the Royal Engineers as a Fabricator Welder, which I did. When I finished phase 1 and 2 training (basic training and combat engineer training) I would have ordinarily gone to phase 3 training in Chatham, Kent to do my trade training, which is usually around 11 months long.
Because I had the qualification that I would have got after 11 months, I was sent for a 1 week assessment, where I was tested on the same tests that I did in college. When I passed the tests, I was fast tracked to my first army unit, which saved me 11 months. I was also given a financial bonus but I am not 100% sure as to whether they still do this. In the Royal Engineers we have a Class 2 - Which qualifies you to NVQ Lv2 standard. and Class 1 - to NVQ Lv 3. You can sometimes wait a few years to get onto the Class 1 after passing your Class 2. However, If you have already gained the NVQ Lv 3 then you would be tested at the assessment at this level from the off.

Following on from what Aaron mentioned above, if you were to apply for a job in the REME or Signals (to which was included in your question but would not be linked to any plastering role) these qualification would not help at all.

If you require any more information on what I explained above feel free to contact your local Army Careers Centre or call the Army Careers Office in Sheffield (Google for contact Info), and I will happily explain in more detail.

Warm Regards,

SSgt Rob Needham

10 June, 2024 10:22

Hi, thanks for getting back to me. Turns out I have the right quals for the Fabricator and welder role. If I was to do plastering in the RE would I get to learn tiling and painting part of the trade?

10 June, 2024 12:47

Only if your NVQ's are in Fabrication and Welding. If they are in Building Services as a general course, they might not help at all which is what I was trying to explain following on from Aarons point. They need to be specific, not generic. What are your plastering qualifications?

As a plasterer in the RE's you will learn plastering, painting and tiling. All aspects of finishing.

10 June, 2024 13:00

Hi Robert, sorry I ment my GCSE’s are a high enough level for the role. My plastering qualifications are SCQF 7

10 June, 2024 13:04