A former Public Services student at Stratford-upon-Avon College has been accepted into the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a Cyberspace Communications Specialist.
Jacob Flavell, 18 from Stratford-upon-Avon, found himself fed up with exams after finishing his GCSEs and after attending an open event at Stratford-upon-Avon College, he knew this was the right place for him to continue his education.
Recounting how the new role came about, Jacob comments: “I registered my interest with the Royal Air Force on their website and they put me in contact with my closest Armed Forces Careers Officer (AFCO) which was in Birmingham. I then passed the Airmen Selection Test known as AST, an interview, and a medical and physical examination.”
However, before he could begin phase one of his training, the bright student still had one last test of resilience to complete: “I had to go to RAF Halton in Aylesbury, one of the largest RAF stations in the UK, for a night to see if I could manage the full basic training.”
Jacob felt inspired and uplifted during his time at the College, with one of his fondest memories being a mountain climbing trip in Wales. Looking back at his time on the course, Jacob credits his lecturers for his achievements: “The PT and fitness aspect of the course along with the lecturers’ expert knowledge on fitness requirements has helped me reach the stage I am at now in my career.”
Jacob also thanks his lecturers for their help during the RAF selection process. He comments: “When I was preparing for my interview and fitness tests, I spoke to them as they both had military backgrounds and they helped me a lot more than my parents were able to!”
As expected, the eager student is continuing to enjoy many more wonderful experiences with the RAF, with one unforgettable trip to Iceland during his holding at Brize Norton, the largest station of the RAF.
Looking to the future, Jacob reveals: “I’m excited to see where my career will take me and the different places I will go!”
