Drafter's trade?

[duffman]

Is it correct that all the drafters are all adminers? Is there no trade input/advice available to them? Is there any particular differences between drafting various trades, are some easier or harder than others?

 

[tommo9999]

Is it correct that all the drafters are all adminers? Yes for WO and below. Officers are looked after by different branches. Is there no trade input/advice available to them? Yes, from the Trade Sponsors. Is there any particular differences between drafting various trades, are some easier or harder than others? The principles are the same, but there are different challenges to each. For example, the current TG4 drafters have really got their hands full with the amalgamation of trades etc.

There was a trial a good few years ago when a TG1 chap was placed in the Trade Cell because it was felt that the lack of knowledge of specific trade issues was a problem. It didn't work, because the knowledge of drafting regulations was missing. Trade Sponsors have a pivotal role to play and they should provide the specialist knowledge needed to assist the drafter.

 

[duffman]

I take it you were a drafter tommo, did you enjoy it? what was the biggest single thing you would change(if any)? Sorry about all the question but this is something that interests me at the mo. I just think it's an area of the raf that affects everyone, but not that many people really know that much about it. I think that they could be a bit better at letting the rest of the raf know about more about how it all works.

 

[tommo9999]

I take it you were a drafter tommo, did you enjoy it? what was the biggest single thing you would change(if any)? Sorry about all the question but this is something that interests me at the mo. I just think it's an area of the raf that affects everyone, but not that many people really know that much about it. I think that they could be a bit better at letting the rest of the raf know about more about how it all works.

I loved it, did 5 years in total. 1 year on the Dental/SpecMed/Musn/MRT desk, then moved to the Pers Admin (as was) desk for 4 years. Most challenging job I've had, but the most enjoyable by a mile. Real sense of job satisfaction. In terms of changes, I would remove the LIL ability. It is such a poor way to do business and it never results in a happy outcome. However, whilst the emphasis remains on location then there must be a way of filling that particular post; hence LIL. I've said it before on other threads about the subject, there will never be true Career Management if personnel are allowed an input (For us, location). If we want genuine Career Management then the drafter should be left alone to move us where they feel we would best develop. Such a move would require wholesale changes in how the Service operates and would not be accepted by the majority of pers (WO & below). That is the crux of the matter in my opinion - we hear lots of personnel complaining that they are not being career managed/developed but in almost all cases the one thing they care about is where they serve, not necessarily the job they do. Until that changes, we will stay roughly where we are in terms of drafting.

Sorry this is a bit long, but I hope it explains the position and the decisions people would have to make if they want true, long-lasting change to drafting.

 

[Humble Scribe]

Now I appreciate that there is a data protection issue but I firmly believe that many of the 'lists' held by the CM's should be in the public domain or at least accesible by Chf Clk's; LIL, DWR, PSL for example. This would ensure that the CM's picked the right man in a particular situation or explained why certain personnel were overlooked. Don't know if Project Apollo goes this far but I believe that it could add some credability to the CM's decisions. Watch Tommo rip this arguement to shreds now!

 

[tommo9999]

Now I appreciate that there is a data protection issue but I firmly believe that many of the 'lists' held by the CM's should be in the public domain or at least accesible by Chf Clk's; LIL, DWR, PSL for example. This would ensure that the CM's picked the right man in a particular situation or explained why certain personnel were overlooked. Don't know if Project Apollo goes this far but I believe that it could add some credability to the CM's decisions. Watch Tommo rip this arguement to shreds now!

Mate it does go this far, had a briefing at Air Cmd this week. I think it is a great idea, and can't wait for it to happen to be honest. As you well know, I never felt the need to hide anything from anyone who was entitled to know (DPA, FOI etc etc). If they asked, and I was allowed to tell, then I did.

 

[duffman]

interesting post tommo, you right about people being more interested in location rather than job.
In my trade (tg1) I think the main reason of this is that it pretty much first line, bar a few bays and things like eng ops, is the the only show in town. So first line is pretty much the same, as an SAC for example turning spanners is turning spanners. So to use the biggest variable for us is location, of which there are now few and the manning plan for tg1, means that if you are in the wrong location you could be there for quite a while. I may be wrong but do you think a trade with a greater range of jobs eg(tg4 or admin) are more open to taking negative choices? knowing that it may not be for that long.

 

[Mickwreay]

I loved it, did 5 years in total. 1 year on the Dental/SpecMed/Musn/MRT desk, then moved to the Pers Admin (as was) desk for 4 years. Most challenging job I've had, but the most enjoyable by a mile. Real sense of job satisfaction. In terms of changes, I would remove the LIL ability. It is such a poor way to do business and it never results in a happy outcome. However, whilst the emphasis remains on location then there must be a way of filling that particular post; hence LIL. I've said it before on other threads about the subject, there will never be true Career Management if personnel are allowed an input (For us, location). If we want genuine Career Management then the drafter should be left alone to move us where they feel we would best develop. Such a move would require wholesale changes in how the Service operates and would not be accepted by the majority of pers (WO & below). That is the crux of the matter in my opinion - we hear lots of personnel complaining that they are not being career managed/developed but in almost all cases the one thing they care about is where they serve, not necessarily the job they do. Until that changes, we will stay roughly where we are in terms of drafting.

Sorry this is a bit long, but I hope it explains the position and the decisions people would have to make if they want true, long-lasting change to drafting.

Tommo,
I agree with most of your comments, but the career management is a very difficult one to get right. I personally have had every posting I have gone for, I’m on my 9th posting now with a couple of double tours in Germany & UK, so to-date my drafters have been good, they have listened and helped wherever possible. I am a firm believer in doing as much ground work as possible & presenting him/her with a solution to the problem.
Where I believe total career management would fall down, would be posting certain people into the wrong environment, I’ve seen it too many times when you get a pressed man on a 1st-line Sqn and they really are suited to second line work. That’s not a slur on the individual but some people are suited to the eight to five pattern.

Another fault that has crept in since the minimum disturbance rules were introduced is that too many people are allowed to spend their whole careers in one place! I know it’s a nightmare to organise but I feel each individual should be contacted around the 4-year point & asked if they are happy to stay or want to move. This would identify those who are willing to move and if there are not enough willing to move then surely longest in post should be moved on after say 5 years, allowing someone else a chance to get to their location of choice.

It is totally unfair for someone to remain at their location for many years at the expense of another being forced into the likes of Odiham & Benson.
I know we don’t live in a perfect world but why should the likes of Lincolnshire etc. be off limits when you are requesting an area of choice?

Now I hear folk saying that forcing someone to move will only serve to increase pvr’s, but how many people leave because they are stuck in the wrong area for them & their families?